N E E R G K TCHI E R K NNIE BY BO
Americans have always strived to achieve greatness. With our emphasis on bigger and better, we’ve designed everything from grand structures to miniscule music players. And let’s not even begin to discuss what our handheld devices are capable of! But with advancements in science and technology have also come a great amount of energy expenditure and waste. Over the past decade, an emphasis on “green” or “sustainable” living has been infiltrating our way of thinking. It’s now the norm to use recyclable grocery bags, and quite a bit of paper mail is now delivered via email instead. Within the last few years, maintaining a green home has become increasingly popular.
Unfortunately, many people want to get in on the green home craze but still think this lifestyle is only for those who bring home a big paycheck. “There are several steps anyone can do to make their home more green or sustainable,” says founding member of the Marion County Branch of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Charlie Thoman. The USGBC specializes in advocating and educating people about energy-saving techniques in their homes and businesses. Charlie is the senior project manager at K.P. Studio Architect in Ocala and is a LEED-accredited (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) professional. He stresses that there are ways people can be more green without having to spend a fortune or make major renovations. And more and more companies and manufacturers are offering energy-efficient and green products. Couple that with the fact that you can get rebates and credits once you do go green and it doesn’t make sense not to.