Spring 2013 Update

Happy belated spring to everyone!!  This blog just passed 11,000 page views.  Obviously it's been quite some time since my last post, but better late than never...right?  The house is still performing extremely well as my last 5 utility bills are as follows:  $45.63, $40.59, $46.56, $37.02 and $26.46. While winter 2012-13 was definitely colder than the previous year, it was by no means a freeze fest.  Overall, the utility bills reflect an almost 79% reduction in energy costs over the past 32 months...I'm very happy with that :)

Also, I recently spoke with the municipal water department to get an idea of how my water usage compares to the average.  I was told that the average usage per person was 6 units per month.  Over the past 32 months this home has used an average of 2.2 units per person, which is 63% lower. Considering this home was designed (once the rain barrels are installed) to achieve a 50% reduction in water usage, the 13 + % additional savings (the reduction in usage will be even higher once the rain barrels are installed in June) is attributed to my lifestyle.  Saving water is a lot like saving energy.  Being conscious of your actions and simply having a conservation mindset can really make quite a big difference.

As for selling the home, it is still listed.  I've had some interest, but no offers have been excepted, so you better visit soon or it might be too late to buy!  Actually, I am truly enjoying living here, particularly now that spring is here and my gardens are really producing and looking great.  Overall, I've received a lot of positive comments about the home, but a few have commented that they can get a lot more home for the price that

I am asking.  The cliche of comparing apples to apples comes to mind.  If someone is just looking for the most square footage for the lowest cost, I suggest they take a look at mobile homes...by the way, have you been in a new mobile home lately?  It takes the new car smell adage to whole other level!  I can promise you (because I've done the math) that paying a premium for a stronger, safer, lower maintenance, healthier, energy and water efficient, sustainable and longer lasting home will cost everyone less!

The attached photos are of my new strawberry patch and the strawberries I picked this morning, the raised bed vegetable garden and my new tile back splash in the kitchen.  While I know that the tile back splash is not "green" or necessary, it looks great and it continues the theme of a high performance home with most, if not all, of the popular features a lot of home owners/buyers want in their homes.  The cabinets used throughout the house are the Silverline line from Medallion Cabinetry.  www.medallioncabinetry.com  Their product is FSC Certified and their selection and quality provided the best value I could find.  The cabinets are beautiful and have performed flawlessly now for over 2 1/2 years.  The flooring in the kitchen and throughout most of the main floor is a Strand Woven bamboo from Ambient Bamboo www.ambientbp.com.  Ambient's selection, quality, pricing and service was so good that I would order from them again.  Check out their website for more information.

Make it a great day and I'll keep you posted!!

Craig