Black Mountain Custom Builder says NC GreenPower Pays Big Bucks for Solar Power

NC Green Power, a statewide green power program designed to encourage the use of renewable energy in North Carolina, offers production payments for grid-tied electricity generated by solar, wind, small hydro (10 megawatts or less) and biomass resources. Payment arrangements for electricity generated by most renewable energy systems are available by submitting proposals for consideration in an open-bid process. However, owners of small solar energy systems and small wind energy systems (10 kilowatts or less) may currently apply to receive program incentives at any time.

Owners of small solar energy systems or wind-energy systems are encouraged to review and fill out an online application, available on the NC Green Power web site. Note that customer-generators who choose to net meter are not permitted to sell electricity under the NC Green Power Program. Generators are required to enter into power-purchase agreements with their North Carolina electric utility and with NC Green Power. However, because premiums paid to NC Green Power are funded exclusively by voluntary contributions from North Carolina electric customers, NC Green Power does not provide guaranteed contracts to generators. Production incentives are based on the amount expected to make the installation of renewable-energy systems approach economic feasibility. The incentives, which include payments from utility power-purchase agreements, are made on a per-kWh basis and vary by technology. Owners of small solar electric systems enrolled in NC Green Power receive $0.15/kWh from the program, plus approximately $0.04/kWh from their utility under the power-purchase agreement, for a total production payment of about $0.19/kWh. Owners of small wind-energy systems receive $0.06/kWh from the program, plus approximately $0.04/kWh from their utility, for a total production payment of about $0.10/kWh.*

NC Green Power is an independent, nonprofit organization created by state-government officials, electric utilities, nonprofit organizations, consumers, renewable-energy advocates and other stakeholders. It began operation in October 2003 as the first statewide green-power program in the United States. North Carolina's three investor-owned utilities -- Dominion North Carolina Power, Duke Energy and Progress Energy -- and many of the state's municipal utilities and electric cooperatives are participating in the NC Green Power Program. Advantage Development Co. is an award winning custom green builder in Asheville NC building fine custom homes for two decades. Call us today or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn why we are better.

Black Mountain Custom Builder shares on Why they use FSC Lumber

FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the worlds forests. Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.By buying FSC products you provide incentives for responsible forestry.

You can enjoy your purchases knowing it has not contributed to the destruction of the worlds forest or even come from companies involved in human rights abuses. Over time, your choice with many other responsible purchasing decisions will lead to even more forests being managed responsibly the FSC way. Almost everything made from wood and other forest products is available with the FSC label. Advantage Development Co. Is an award winning black mountain green custom home builder in Asheville NC that believes in supporting forest stewardship and always purchases FSC lumber and materials when possible. Call us at 828-215-9064 or visit us at our website and check out our green building page http://www.advdevco.com/ you will be glad you did.

Black Mountain Custom Builder shares on Manual J Calculations

When sizing a heating and cooling system for a home, rule of thumb measurements can yield an improperly sized system. Yes, you've probably heard it all before, but a poorly sized HVAC system can lead to an uncomfortable living environment and higher bills for the homeowner, to name a few. The popular method of calculating heating and cooling loads is to use ACCA, Manual J-compliant load calculation software. The old method of buying a Manual J book and sizing by hand is rarely used these days due to all the great software available.The most common problem in the HVAC industry is the tendency to oversize equipment. Contractors and customers alike are conditioned to believe bigger is better.

Unfortunately, bigger leads to higher installation cost, higher operating cost and a more humid house. Yes, an over sized system will not run long enough to remove moisture from the house, and in turn, the customer will feel clammy due to a higher humidity level in the house. The customer in search of greater comfort will now lower the thermostat to feel more comfortable and will keep lowering it until the unit runs enough to remove moisture. Advantage Development Co. is an award winning custom green builder in Asheville NC that will only use qualified HVAC Contractors that are trained in performing manual j calculations accurately to assure optimal energy efficiency and comfort in ever new home they build. Call us today at 828-215-9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn why we are the better builder.

Black Mountain Custom Builder explains how Water Filters Work

Ah, that wonderful refreshing taste of a tall cold glass of water, cooling, soothing and pure. But is it pure? What about all those invisible microbes and bacteria? What about all those pesticides and herbicides you do not see? It is enough to spoil that thirst quenching moment. So how do you get pure drinking water? Most people get a water filtration system. However, no one unit can remove all the impurities in our drinking water. And there are many types to choose from. If you have a better understanding of how water filters work, then you will be able to get the right one to fit your lifestyle.Most filters today are charcoal, or activated charcoal. There are also other types of filters like Ion Exchange Units, Reverse Osmosis, and Distillation Units. Charcoal, which is mostly carbon, is the residue of partial burning or destructive distillation of organic material. When special heating or chemical processing is added to charcoal, it becomes much more absorptive, and is then referred to as activated charcoal. So a charcoal filter works on the principle of absorption. Large volumes of gases, including most poisonous ones, stick to the charcoal, which is quite porous. Charcoal is what they use in gas masks because it has such a large porous surface area, it absorbs a lot of impurities.

Charcoal filters are used in ice maker filters, under counter filters, counter top filters, whole house filters, and more. You get the message, charcoal really takes out the garbage.Since there are so many choices in models and designs in water filters, there are a few things you will need to do before making your choice: Have your water tested by the local utility and get a report of the contaminants in your water, figure out how much water you drink, that will determine what type of filter to purchase and install, be prepared to stock additional filter cartridges to be replaced on an ongoing basis. By doing your homework you will pick the proper system for your needs and improve your quality of life. Advantage Development Co. Is an award winning black mountain custom green home builder in Asheville NC building fine custom homes for two decades. Call us today at 828-215-9064 or visit us today at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn why we are the better builder in Asheville and the surrounding areas.

Black Mountain Custom Builder hates Ducts in Hot Attic Areas

Where is the hottest place in your house on an 85 degree summer day? Where is the coldest place in your house on a frigid January night? In both cases, it is the attic. So, if you were deciding where to locate a forced air heating and cooling system, what is just about the worst place you could put it? It is obvious: Do not put your HVAC system in an unconditioned attic.

What is a better location? Put the ducts between the floors or in dropped soffits inside conditioned areas of the house. That way the conditioned air always travels through ducts at room temperature. Some better builders will condition the attic by placing insulation near the roof deck rather than at the ceiling. This brings attic temperatures much closer to those inside the house, but it does add an additional energy load to the home. It is a step in the right direction, which is getting HVAC systems located inside the living space of the home. Advantage Development Co. is an award winning black mountain custom green builder in Asheville NC and understands the importance of having all HVAC duct work within the conditioned space of the home for optimal energy savings. Call us today at 828-215-9064 for a free consultation or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to see why we are the better builder.

Black Mountain Custom Builder likes using Cork Floors

Cork as we know it is the product of the cork-oak tree. The bark is peeled off of the tree with the use of hand-held tools in 10 year intervals to preserve the health of each cork oak tree. The bark is then ground and flattened into sheets. Its first use is for wine corks, but the remainder is used for a number of green building materials applications, most notably for flooring. There is little or no wastage and the trees remain unharmed by this strictly controlled harvesting process. Advantage Development Co. is an award winning custom black mountain green builder in Asheville NC and believes in using eco friendly building materials and products when possible to lessen the impact of new construction on our planet. Call us today at 828-215-9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn just why more people choose us for that custom home.

Black Mountain Custom Builder likes Smart Homes

When you're not home, nagging little doubts can start to crowd your mind. Did I turn the coffee maker off? Did I set the security alarm? Are the kids doing their homework or watching television? With a smart home, you could quiet all of these worries with a quick trip online. When you're home, the house takes care of you by playing your favorite song whenever you walk in or instantaneously dimming the lights for a movie. Is it magic? No, it's home automation. Smart homes connect all the devices and appliances in your home so they can communicate with each other and with you.Anything in your home that uses electricity can be put on the home network and at your command. Whether you give that command by voice, remote control or computer, the home reacts. Most applications relate to lighting, home security, home theater and entertainment and thermostat regulation.

Smart Home technology can offer the home owner both convenience and energy savings on that new custom built dream home. Advantage Development Co. Is an award winning black mountain custom green home builder in Asheville NC with vast experience in home automation, home theatres, and smart home technologies. Whether you need solid network solutions for your home, structured wiring, or a full blown recording studio, we handle it all in house utilizing our staff degreed electrical design engineer. Visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn why we are the better builder in Asheville and the surrounding WNC areas.