Black Mountain Custom Builder shares on Earth Day

Earth Day 2009, April 22, will mark the beginning of The Green Generation Campaign which will also be the focus of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010. With negotiations for a new global climate agreement coming up in December, Earth Day 2009 must be a day of action and civic participation, to defend The Green GenerationTMs core principles: A carbon-free future based on renewable energy that will end our common dependency on fossil fuels, including coal, an individuals commitment to responsible, sustainable consumption, creation of a new green economy that lifts people out of poverty by creating millions of quality green jobs and transforms the global education system into a green one.Earth Day is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions.

Earth Day and every day is a time to act to protect our planet. Advantage Development Co. is an award winning black mountain custom green builder in Asheville NC committed to saving this earth, one home at a time. We are hosting free monthly green building seminars from May 2009 through 2010 to support the Green Generation Campaign and show that we are an integral part of the green revolution. Call us at 828-215-9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn more about the "green" revolution and why we are the better builder.

Black Mountain Custom Builder likes Metal Roofs

A metal roof is a premium roof system that adds value to your most important investment-your home. Initially, a metal roof will likely cost more than an asphalt roof, comparable to some other systems like tile or shake and less than slate. While these premium roof systems look good initially, they breakdown over time and you wind up having to install two or more while your metal roof will keep on providing the protection for you and your home. A metal roof will indeed save you money over time; in fact, most metal roofs come with a true 30 to 50 year warranty.

Then, add that all in with what you'll save in roof maintenance costs. To make sure an asphalt roof lasts as long as possible, extra roof maintenance is essential. But a metal roof is just about maintenance-free. All you have to do is occasionally hose it down from the ground. Metal roofs not only save you money, they'll save you time and worry, too. Advantage Development Co. is an award winning black mountain custom builder/certified green professional in Asheville NC and has two decades of experience with standing seam metal roofs. Call us at 828-215-9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to see why we are the better builder in Asheville.

Black Mountain Custom Builder talks about R-Value and Variables

An insulation materials r-value refers to its ability to stop or slow down the transfer of heat. It is based on a laboratory measurement, called an r-factor. The r-factor, multiplied by the thickness of the material in inches, gives you the r-value of the insulation. Laboratory measurements, however, do not always accurately reflect conditions in the real world. Most insulation materials lose their effectiveness when crammed into a tight space between walls. In addition, temperature can also make a big difference, some insulations operate better in colder temperatures, while others work best in warmer environments.

In addition, if a material is stretched too thin or installed improperly, the r-value could diminish.Good insulation can make your home more energy efficient, or it can leak the valuable energy you spend to regulate the temperature of your home. Which insulation you choose is an important decision, but it is even more important to make sure you hire a reputable contractor to apply the insulation. Many homes have incorrectly-installed insulation that causes serious energy issues, and the owners can go years without realizing the problem. Your insulation can go a long way toward making your home greener and more energy efficient. Advantage Development Co. is an award winning custom green builder in Asheville NC and understands the importance of sealing the house envelope & using the best insulation for the home design parameters. Call us at 828-215-9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn why we are the better builder.

Black Mountain Custom Builder likes saving Clients Energy on New Homes

Energy-efficient homes are in demand. That is because they save your customers money, provide greater comfort and help protect the environment by using less energy. Home Advantage homes are ENERGY STAR certified making them at least 15 percent more energy efficient than standard homes. They also enjoy a 5 percent Progress Energy discount for the life of the house. Home resale prices are typically much higher for ENERGY STAR Rated homes, and homes sell quicker with ENERGY STAR certifications.

Energy efficiency pays off for your customers and can be your competitive advantage in todays challenging market. We illustrate to potential buyers how the slightly higher cost of efficiency upgrades is more than offset by energy savings. For example: If you add $1,500 for energy-efficiency upgrades to the cost of a $200,000 home: The mortgage goes up by just $9/month, assuming a fixed 30 year, 6 percent mortgage. The monthly utility bills could come down by at least $31/month. That's a savings of $22 per month in the first month of ownership. The homeowner could ultimately save at least $264 a year. Building your new home to ENERGY STAR standards just makes plain good sense and Advantage Development Co. is an ENERGY STAR Rated Builder with two decades of experience in Asheville NC. We are also a NAHB Certified Green Professional ready to meet all of your green building needs. Call us at 828-215-9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ and learn why we are the better builder when it comes to residential and green home design & building.

Black Mountain Custom Builder shares about Passive Solar Home Design

To get the most from your home, think sun. That's right, the sun can heat and cool your home and reduce its energy use. More importantly, the energy from the sun can make your home comfortable year round. There are two types of solar design systems, passive and active. Homes constructed as passive solar design use the natural movement of heat and air to maintain comfortable temperatures, operating with little or no mechanical assistance. It is called passive solar because the design of the home maximizes the benefits it receives from the sun with standard construction features.Passive solar takes advantage of local breezes and landscape features such as shade trees and windbreaks, and uses a simple system to collect and store solar energy with no switches or controls.On the other hand, active solar systems use mechanical devices such as pumps and fans to move heat from collectors to storage or from storage to use. Photovoltaic panels that collect solar energy, turning it into electricity, are also considered an active solar system.

Although, building a passively designed solar home takes careful planning, the task is relatively simple, if you use the five basic solar design principles: Orientation, Overhangs and Shading, Insulation, Windows, and Thermal Mass. Building to take advantage of solar energy need not cost any more than building a comparably sized non-solar conventional home. A home that is properly oriented, tightly constructed, well insulated, and has operable windows for air circulation is both comfortable for the occupants and easy on the wallet. You can call it passive design or just smart construction. Advantage Development Co. is an award winning black mountain custom builder and NAHB Certified Green Professional and understands that building green to saving energy & renewable resources should begin with proper home design utilizing passive solar home design techniques. Call us today at 828-215-9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn more about us and why we are better.

Black Mountain Custom Builder shares on Green Energy Systems

Solar water heaters, also called solar domestic hot water systems, can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use, sunshine, is free. Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. There are two types of solar water heating systems: active, which have circulating pumps and controls, and passive, which don't. Most solar water heaters require a well-insulated storage tank. Solar storage tanks have an additional outlet and inlet connected to and from the collector. In two-tank systems, the solar water heater preheats water before it enters the conventional water heater.

In one-tank systems, the back-up heater is combined with the solar storage in one tank.Solar water heating systems almost always require a backup system for cloudy days and times of increased demand. Conventional storage water heaters usually provide backup and may already be part of the solar system package. A backup system may also be part of the solar collector, such as rooftop tanks with thermosyphon systems. Since an integral, collector storage system already stores hot water in addition to collecting solar heat; it may be packaged with a demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heater for backup. For more information on solar hot water systems call Advantage Development Co., an award winning black mountain custom green builder in Asheville NC. Call us at 828.215.9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn more.

Black Mountain Custom Builder likes photovoltaic systems on green homes

What do we mean by photovoltaics? First used in about 1890, the word has two parts: photo, derived from the Greek word for light, and volt, relating to electricity pioneer Alessandro Volta. So, photovoltaics could literally be translated as light-electricity. And that's what photovoltaic (PV) materials and devices do, they convert light energy into electrical energy (Photoelectric Effect), as French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered as early as 1839. Commonly known as solar cells, individual PV cells are electricity-producing devices made of semiconductor materials. PV cells come in many sizes and shapes, from smaller than a postage stamp to several inches across. They are often connected together to form PV modules that may be up to several feet long and a few feet wide. Modules, in turn, can be combined and connected to form PV arrays of different sizes and power output.The size of an array depends on several factors, such as the amount of sunlight available in a particular location and the needs of the consumer.

The modules of the array make up the major part of a PV system, which can also include electrical connections, mounting hardware, power-conditioning equipment, and batteries that store solar energy for use when the sun isn't shining. Did you know that PV systems are already an important part of our lives? Simple PV systems provide power for many small consumer items, such as calculators and wristwatches. More complicated systems provide power for communications satellites, water pumps, and the lights, appliances, and machines in some people's homes and workplaces. Many road and traffic signs along highways are now powered by PV. In many cases, PV power is the least expensive form of electricity for performing these tasks. Advantage Development Co. is an award winning black mountain custom green builder in Asheville NC and understands Solar PV technology, costs, and tax credits available. Call us today at 828.215.9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn just why we are the better builder in Asheville.