Green Built Guide: February 2022

Green Built Alliance issued two Requests for Proposals this week to invite solar installers and HVAC contractors to bid on upcoming projects that reduce the energy burden of vulnerable residents.

Through these two projects that decrease energy consumption and increase clean-energy production, we support the City of Asheville and Buncombe County in achieving our local goals for affordable housing, carbon-emission reductions, and renewable energy.

The first RFP seeks solar installers to support the expansion of Blue Horizons Project's Neighbor to Neighbor Solar effort to provide no-cost solar-energy systems to local low-income homes. A second RFP seeks HVAC contractors to support the expansion of Energy Savers Network's heating repair and replacement initiative. 

Solar Installers: Click here for full RFP details >>

HVAC Contractors: Click here for full RFP details >>

For the past two years, our nonprofit has offered continuing-education classes that fulfill the six elective hours required annually by North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors, as well as being eligible for credit through American Institute of Architects and certain other trade organizations.

We are now working on our spring schedule, and eager to add new voices and class topics to our offerings. In addition to providing credit through NCLBGC, AIA and other trade groups, our classes also count toward Green Built Alliance's Regenerative Professional Accreditation credential that acknowledges a deep, evolving competency in advanced green-building best practices.

If you're interested in sharing your expertise as an instructor and/or have a class topic to suggest, please email Associate Director Cari Barcas at your earliest convenience.

This ninth annual collaborative networking event allows members of our area associations and organizations to mix and mingle with one another from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24. Come to build relationships while enjoying hors d'oeuvres and beverages in the showroom of our members at Atelier Maison.

This event is open exclusively to members of the following groups:

• Green Built Alliance
• Asheville Home Builders Association 
• American Institute of Architects Asheville
• Land of the Sky Association of Realtors 
• Mortgage Bankers Association of WNC 
• American Society of Interior Designers

Registration required; click here to learn more and RSVP >>

After having to postpone the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service due to Winter Storm Izzy last month, plans have taken shape for a community work day to be held on Saturday, Feb. 26.

Our nonprofit's Energy Savers Network program is partnering with Hood Huggers International, Riverlink, Asheville Parks & Recreation, Asheville Creative Arts and Burton Street Community Association to facilitate engagement in community betterment projects in Burton Street neighborhood. We’ve identified projects of need in the neighborhood intended to support unity and sustainability within the broader community.

If you aren't available to participate in the Community Work Day next weekend, we encourage interested community members to carry Dr. King's spirit of service forward by volunteering for a future workday with Energy Savers Network. Our program holds workdays every week to weatherize local homes in need as a way of building equity and sustainability in our community.

Click here to share the Community Work Day on Facebook >>

Click here to volunteer for a future ESN workday >>

Blue Horizons Project: Register Now for Free Energy Efficiency for Everyone Class

Join our Blue Horizons Project staff at noon on Tuesday, March 1 for "Energy Efficiency for Everyone," a free webinar to help people improve the energy efficiency of their homes to increase comfort, save money and reduce environmental impacts, even on a budget.

We will discuss things you can do yourself to save energy, where to obtain rebates and incentives that can help you cover the costs, and how to hire local professionals to support you on bigger jobs. The workshop includes an introduction to solar energy at home.

Click here to register through Eventbrite >>

Click here to RSVP and share via Facebook >>

As we announced last fall, our nonprofit's office relocated in October to our new home in the Callen Center downtown where we are surrounded by like-minded neighbors who share our focus on building climate resilience.

In the transition, our PO Box mailing address also changed to the following:
Green Built Alliance
PO Box 2594
Asheville, NC 28802
Thanks for updating your records!

We are deeply grateful for the ongoing partnership and collaboration of our platinum members at USGBC Carolinas.

For more than 25 years, USGBC and its member companies have come together to make our planet stronger, greener and more sustainable. USGBC is a leading worldwide movement that is transforming the building industry through the LEED program.

click to connect >>