Check This Out!!

Glass is green! Templating for our Vetrazzo countertops!

The horses should be very happy with their new metal roof!

Terra Verde is the first home in Florida to use and profile Schluter Systems' new Kerdi Board!

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As you can see from the video below, things are really coming together at Terra Verde!  Just installed, you can see the energy efficient front entry door by Therma-Tru and recycled drywall from LaFarge, right up the road in Palatka, Florida!

Things have really heated up here on Terra Verde… the Brite Electric team have been busy installing all the LED lighting throughout the house. Today, the Beam Central Vacuum system was roughed in throughout the house (I cannot wait to use the pet grooming tools on my two dogs Facci Bella and Bucca! Sounds pretty awesome!) Our Green-focused General Contractor, Greg Hardwick, was out on site today with his production manager Adam to lay out a framing schedule, flooring and of course dry wall…lots of dry wall. I’m off to Tampa tomorrow to set up for our Greenovation of Terra Verde booth at USF for the Florida Sustainable Living Conference and the Go Green Tampa Bay exhibit.  On my way there, I’m going to swing by and spend some time with the ASI Building Products team at Metalcon to talk to the fine folks from Unisolar and Energy Peak!  Solar power on the Terra Verde barn roof—cannot wait to share all this new technology with our viewers!

This is incredibly exciting to be writing my own blog on the new Greenovation at Terra Verde web site.  I'll be updating my blog as we continue to make progress on our mission to "greenovate" an energy sucking home built in the 1970's near the Ocala National Forest in Central Florida. So far here on Terra Verde, we’ve already done a lot to make this home as energy efficient as possible. For instance, the first thing we did was update ALL the single pane and metal frame windows and patio doors. We selected Simonton Windows and Doors for our project. I really like their vinyl products for the durability and easy maintenance. Plus, vinyl is green in the sense that it’s recyclable! If you’re dealing with old drafty windows, this may be the time for you to upgrade to more energy efficient windows! Did you know... when you purchase replacement windows in 2009 and 2010 that meet specific energy efficiency requirements, you are eligible for 30% of the amount as a tax credit. This credit is capped at $1,500 for the years of 2009 and 2010. For more information on tax credits for efficiency upgrades, be sure to check out the official guide from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).