As the establishing frontrunner of Westside Atlanta’s emerging design district, Minneapolis-based furniture retailer Room & Board broke ground in May 2009 as the anchoring cornerstone tenant of the mixed-use White Provision development. Nationally acclaimed with a local point of view, Room & Board’s 11 U.S. stores actively support the protection of natural resources, from selecting wood harvested exclusively from well-managed local and regional forests to partnering with small, family-owned businesses sharing a passion for the tradition of American furniture-making.
Dedicated to harmonizing social, economic and environmental responsibility while crafting heirloom quality …

Gwinnett residents are now saving 54 million gallons of water every year thanks to a rebate program that started two years ago. The rebates pay homeowners either $50 or $100 for replacing old, inefficient toilets. About 5,000 have been replaced so far.
Water Resources Deputy Director Peter Frank said the more efficient toilets save the average customer about 15 percent on the water bill and help reduce demand for water from Lake Lanier. He said the County has spent about $400,000 on the program since it began and the savings are …

Wednesday, March 17, 2010
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Alpharetta Engineering/Public Works Department
1790 Hembree Road
Alpharetta, Ga. 30009

The City of Alpharetta, Fulton County Public Works Water Services and City of Roswell in partnership with the Clean Water Campaign will be hosting a “U-Fix it Workshop” to address ways to save money and prevent costly repairs due to household leaks.  The workshop will be held on March 17, 2010 beginning at 2:00 pm at the City of Alpharetta Engineering/Public Works Department located at 1790 Hembree Road, Alpharetta, GA 30009.
This interactive workshop …

Minor water leaks waste more than a trillion gallons of water each year in U.S. homes. “In a single home, leaks can waste more than 10,000 gallons every year – enough to fill a backyard swimming pool,” said Peter Frank with Gwinnett County’s Department of Water Resources. “Gwinnett County wants to help homeowners save money on their utility bills and save water in our community and for future generations.”
With that in mind, the Water Resources department staff is promoting “Fix a Leak Week” during March 15 – 21, 2010. The …

JOHNS CREEK, SANDY SPRINGS
Make your own rain barrel.  Then brag about it. 55 gallons of rain?  Yeah, we’ve got it right here, baby. Take home a fully functional rain barrel that you make yourself (don’t worry–it’s easy) made from a recycled 55 gallon barrel.  You’ll be ready to start collecting rain to water your garden or lawn–even in case of water restrictions.

Saturday, March 20, 9am – 11am

Fire Station, 10925 Rogers Circle, Johns Creek, GA  30097

Saturday, April 24, 9am – 11am

Recycling Center, 470 Morgan Falls Road, Sandy Springs, GA  30350

To …

Google can now buy and sell energy in bulk thanks to approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). However, Internet giant Google doesn’t have plans to sell energy to consumers or anyone else.  Google plans to use its FERC certification in order to manage its own energy supplies as efficiently as possible. I suppose it does take quite a bit of energy to run the world’s largest search engine!  If you think your power bill is high, imagine the energy required to run all of those servers.
In Atlanta, we …

28 ways to make a LEED platinum building – Construction Week Online
The ASHRAE headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia in the US has been awarded a LEED Platinum rating, the highest certification available. MEP Middle East takes a closer look at the project as a landmark case study in green building.
As an innovator in energy-efficient technology, ASHRAE felt its headquarters should serve as a showcase of sustainability. “The resulting design truly reflects that sentiment, as well as how ASHRAE standards and guidelines can be put into practice to result in a high-performance …

By Paul Pugliese

March is usually the time of year that local garden centers begin major advertising campaigns to sell lawn fertilizers. But depending on the type of grass you have, it may be too early to start fertilizing your lawn. In general, the best time to fertilize a lawn is when it is actively growing.
Fescue should be fed in the fall
Fescue lawns and other cool-season grasses that don’t go dormant should be fertilized in the fall (October) and spring (March). Most other lawns, including bermudagrass, zoysia, …

Southface and The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA) named WicksteadWorks its 2010 Renovator of the Year during an award ceremony held January 29 at Philips Arena’s Horizon Club. It is the second straight year the Atlanta-based remodeler has earned this honor.
The Renovator of the Year award recognizes an EarthCraft House renovator that has gone above and beyond established measures to decrease energy consumption in an existing home. A team of EarthCraft House judges selected the nominees and winners for the awards.
“We are extremely humbled to be recognized with this award …

Appraisal values may be what is limiting the number of green homes being built, according to the National Home Builders Association. While we know the value that comes with energy-efficiency, lenders and appraisers are not fully recognizing the value of green innovation.
However, don’t let that deter you from building green or remodeling with eco-friendly products. Eventually the appraisal process will come around, and, when it comes time to sell, buyers will love the green features of your home.
Manufacturers of sustainable products for today’s new homes are Kohler, Marvin Windows and Whirlpool and …

Starting February 12, 2010, the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program will provide Georgia residents with rebates ranging from $25 to $199 on ENERGY STAR rated appliances.  ENERGY STAR appliances eligible for the program include clothes washers, dishwashers, air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators and freezers.   The total amount available for rebates is $8.6 million.  Purchases made prior to February 12, 2010, will not be eligible.
“The opportunity to receive rebates on the purchase of energy efficient appliances starts February 12,” said GEFA Executive Director Phil Foil.  “Georgians can …

Gwinnett’s Department of Water Resources says now is a great time to save money, energy, and water by finding and fixing leaks in homes and businesses.
Faucets that drip constantly need new washers to make a tight seal when the faucet is closed. Homeowners should call a plumber if they don’t know how to make this relatively simple repair themselves.
To check a toilet for leaks, Jim Scarbrough with DWR recommends putting a drop or two of food coloring in the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl within a …

Windsong Properties, Atlanta’s leading Active Adult courtyard homebuilder, was recently nominated for EarthCraft Builder of the Year for its Somerset community in Woodstock. The winner will be announced at the annual EarthCraft Builder’s Awards Breakfast to be held Jan. 29 at Philips Arena’s Horizon Club.
For the past five years, EarthCraft has recognized the top green builders throughout the metro-Atlanta area. Windsong Properties is one of four builders nominated for the prestigious award.
“It is an honor to be nominated for this coveted award,” said Windsong Properties Managing Partner, Steve Romeyn. “This …

Every time you turnaround there seems to be another incentive for purchasing a green built home. Of course, the government is trying to push green building and sustainable living by offering tax credits for those that purchase an eco-friendly home or make green renovations to their existing home. Now, insurance companies have followed suit by offering discounts on insurance for green built homes.
Currently, there are two types of green insurance policies for homeowners – one that covers building that already meet strict sustainablility and efficiency standards and one that offers …

The City of Roswell has recently been certified under the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) Green Communities Program on the Silver Level. Roswell is the first municipality to be certified Silver.
“Roswell’s color has always been green,” explains Mayor Jere Wood. “We are proud to be the first City in Georgia to achieve the Silver Level Green Communities Certification from the Atlanta Regional Commission. We plan to be the first city in Georgia to receive the Gold Certification.”
ARC launched the Green Communities Program late last year to foster greater environmental stewardship by …