UF/IFAS Marion County Extension “High Performance Homes Tour”
The University of Florida/IFAS Marion County Extension Service is sponsoring the “2011 High Performance Homes Tour”, an educational event designed to give local home builders green ideas for their next build or retrofit. Assistance with the tour is being provided from the Marion County Building Industry Association (MCBIA), Solar Trek, Inc, and Dr. Anna Marie, Health Specialist for The Weather Channel.
The program will be held on April 19th, 2011, from 7:30AM – 1PM, and will highlight area homes that are energy and water efficient. Participants will meet at the UF/IFAS Marion County Extension office, where they will board the tour bus.
The first stop on the tour is located in Pine Run Estates, Ocala, FL, and has been retrofitted with a solar hot water heater, a 2.5kw solar system, and many other energy-efficiency upgrades. The home is owned by Solar Trek, Inc., a licensed solar contractor based out of Ocala.
The second home on the tour is located in Umatilla, FL, and is owned by Dr. Anna Marie of the Weather Channel. Dr. Anna Marie has retrofitted the home with some of the most current renewable energy and health conscious upgrades, including a 7.5kW solar photovoltaic system, a geothermal heating and cooling system, LED lighting, spray foam attic insulation, an Energy Star certified metal roof by OneSource Coil Coaters, and partner ASI Building Products, and some of the latest in sustainable home furnishings. Through her efforts, Dr. Anna Marie has reduced her monthly electric bill from $350.00 to $50.00.
During the tour, Dr. Jennifer Languell, owner of Trifecta Construction Solutions, Inc. and Vice President of Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), will present information on various Green Building topics. Dr. Languell is considered a leader in educating the homebuilding industry and homebuyers about the benefits of Green Building. Two CILB CEU credits will be available for builders that attend these presentations.
Participants in the “2011 High Performance Homes Tour” can register online at http://highperformancehomes.eventbrite.com, or by phone at 352-671-8400. Pre-registration deadline is March 23rd, 2011.
For more information contact John Linhoss, UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Agent, at 352-671-8400 or jlinhoss@ufl.edu.
