Today I got a chance to see the inside of Fresco Green Scene, a hot new shop in Lancaster City at 104 West Chestnut Street 1st Floor, right near the corner of Chestnut & Prince in the heart of Gallery Row. This store is the product of the imagination of Rick Frescatore and his team at Fresco, a growing brand that focuses on sustainable living.

A few months ago I interviewed Rick at his first store, located on Commerce Drive in Manheim Township. Here’s the interview:

http://www.youtube.com/user/yourlancasterhome#p/f/39/9xgANb9W2Lw

While the Manheim Township store is primarily geared towards remodelers, building trades and homeowners looking for green product alternatives, the Fresco Green Scene charts new territory for Fresco by focusing on “the things you fill the shelves with” in your newly green built home, as Rick comments. The product line is a wide variety of cleansers, bath oils and soaps (some of which are available at a very cool refill bar, where you can buy the glass dispenser, fill it up and then return when you need refills). In addition Fresco Green Scene has a nice selection of crafted fashion accessories, art pieces and decor, all developed along sustainable lines.

To see the whole story check out http://www.facebook.com/frescogreenscene

They opened on “First Friday” in August and the traffic “was incredible” according to Rick. They will hold a grand opening celebration on First Friday in September, using Art Park across Prince Street to have music and more. Be sure to come out ant support this great addition to the vibrant downtown Lancaster scene!

_____________________

Thanks for watching! Please take a moment to subscribe here athttp://tv.yourlancasterhome.com and pop over to our facebook page to “like” it at http://www.facebook.com/lancasterhomes

Choose Jeff Geoghan for you next home sale or purchase in Lancaster! Thanks.

(c) 2011 Jeff Geoghan

You may not know it, but if you are still in the PP&L electric generation program after deregulation, you have a good option to potentially discount your bill. It’s called the “Time Of Use” option and you can see it at the PP&L website here: http://www.pplelectric.com/time-of-use/option/

The way it works is by breaking up the day into “peak” and “off-peak” time brackets. This is obviously not a new concept but can be effective if your usage is primarily outside of peak times, which are 1-6pm this summer. How do you find out? Great Question!

PP&L also has a VERY handy “Energy Analyzer” available to users once you create a login profile on their site. You can view and download your hourly usage for any time period. I did this and created a spreadsheet to compare the two programs and found I would have saved an average of 16% over my current “flat” rate of 9.205 cents per KWH.

Switching to the “Time Of Use” rate plan was one click and an “enroll” click to do. I would suggest that if you are with PP&L it may be worth looking at your bill – you may see a way to “find” energy cost savings right at your fingertips!

Any questions – love to hear them at jeff@yourlancasterhome.com.

Thanks for watching! Please take a moment to subscribe here athttp://tv.yourlancasterhome.com and pop over to our facebook page to “like” it at http://www.facebook.com/lancasterhomes

Choose Jeff Geoghan for your next home sale or purchase in Lancaster PA! Thanks.

(c) 2011 Jeff Geoghan

In November the Department of Energy (USDOE) released a long-anticipated pilot program for formal testing in ten locales across the U.S. The program is entitled “Home Energy Score” and it signals the official dawn of a new era of energy awareness in the real estate industry.

Some of you may still remember the dawn of the era of home inspections in the 1970’s, as homebuyers and real estate agents began hiring contractors to verify the condition of homes prior to purchase.  The increasing public awareness of potential home defects and the desire for liability management by the real estate industry caused the spontaneous creation of an entire class of business – the home inspector.  Today, few can imagine entering into a purchase agreement without the benefit of a home inspection.

For the past ten years, another industry has been quietly gathering steam – the home energy auditor.  With the increasing public awareness of the economic and environmental ramifications of poorly-performing buildings, these auditors are finding a friendly reception by government and educated homeowners.  The primary tools in the home energy auditor’s toolbox are the HERS (Home Energy Rating Score) evaluative software and the boots-on-the-ground diagnostic equipment to analyze the home’s relative weak points.  Here in Central PA there are already several established companies offering energy audits.

With the advent of a national home energy scoring tool, I believe this industry will come into its own.  My prediction is that we will see the inclusion of home energy audits and energy scores into the real estate transaction within five years – maybe 3.  And, just as home inspections inevitably burgeoned and become a bargaining chip for buyers, I envision the home energy score to also become a point of negotiations over price and repairs.

Change is inevitable.  Remember the fuel economy stickers on cars?  No one debates anymore (if they ever did) whether they are a good thing or not – a prospective auto buyer wouldn’t have it any other way.  With the USDOE’s full rollout of the Home Energy Score a reality coming this summer, expect to see energy labels on homes within just a few years and energy efficiency components added to the real estate purchase process.  And within a few more years homebuyers will wonder how people did without for so long…

If you are building or renovating a home to high-performance/green principles, or have already done so, I would appreciate hearing about it at jgeoghan@lancasterpagreenhomes.com.

Today I stopped in at Fresco Green Building Supplies along Manheim Pike near Lancaster, PA (right off the route 30 exit at Commerce Drive) to chat with Rick Frescatore, one of the owners of the store.

Fresco Green has been in business at the Commerce Drive location for a little over a year, and Rick & his team have been updating and tweaking their product lineup in response to demand and customer feedback. Their basic mission is to provide alternative products (and ideas) that focus on sustainability, quality & economy.

Most homebuyers and remodelers don’t have access to good information about the alternatives that are already in the marketplace that promote healthy indoor and outdoor environments. Rick’s passion is reaching both pros and owners with this message, and the store has been a great vehicle for that. Fresco hosts teaching events, demonstrations and organizational events to that end.

If you’re interested in looking at, touching and talking about your options for wall, ceiling and floor coverings, new materials and technology be sure to stop in at the store. You can learn more at http://www.frescogreen.com and email their team direct at showroom@frescogreen.com

Thanks for watching! Please take a moment to subscribe here at http://tv.yourlancasterhome.com and pop over to our facebook page to “like” it at http://www.facebook.com/lancasterhomes

Choose Jeff Geoghan for you next home sale or purchase in Lancaster! Thanks.

(c) 2011 Jeff Geoghan

The pre-cut slab yard consists of a large number of granite and marble stone pieces in a veritable rainbow of shades, in size ranging from a sink-size to even nearly full slab sections (approximately 5 by 8 foot). I have fallen in love with this because:

a) You’re re-using stone that would otherwise be cast off.
b) The shipping costs have already been incurred, so you aren’t using the embodied energy to ship it from overseas.
c) It’s cheap.

Frank explained how the pieces get there and how customers can set up time to tour the yard with him. If you’re interested give Frank at call at (717) 393-3931. As always, you can find me at jeff@yourlancasterhome.com

Like this episode? Please subscribe at http://tv.yourlancasterhome.com
I’d love your “like” at our Facebook page:http://www.facebook.com/lancasterhomes
Lancaster PA Real Estate website: http://www.yourlancasterhome.com
(c) 2011 Jeff Geoghan

Today I give a few pointers about the need to control dampness in and around homes in Lancaster City. Was at a home inspection where dampness from a common alleyway had apparently infiltrated into the living room and the finished basement.

Given the fact that there isn’t much green space (none in some locations) to route rain runoff to, and uneven concrete surfaces in the older urban environment, it’s critical to be aware of where the water is going to around your Lancaster City PA home.

Especially important areas to watch are the common walkways between city homes. Some are at the main level and some actually step down to the basement level and back up again to the backyard. These areas don’t get much sunlight and can stay damp or even puddled long after a rain. These areas and poor downspout routing are the major troublemakers,

So, if you have a Lancaster City home be sure to watch your water runoff and try to avoid damp areas or water up against your foundation.

Questions? Email me at jeff@yourlancasterhome.com.
Like this? Please subscribe here!
My Facebook page – lots more there:http://www.facebook.com/lancasterhomes
Our home on the web: http://www.yourlancasterhome.com
(c) 2011 Jeff Geoghan

• Learn from experts with the Penn State School of Urban Forestry and the Lancaster County Conservation District
• Learn about the positive impacts of trees in capturing storm water and conserving energy
• Find out how to plant and care for native trees and identify varieties that are right for your property
• Tour the Alley garden where workshop participants can see a functioning urban garden and learn about the vision and impact it can have in the community
• Help plant several shrubs at the Alley garden to gain first-hand experience
• Finally, select a native tree or shrub of your choice to take home and plant on your property

Saturday April 2, 9:00am – 11:00am
Eastern Market and The Alley Garden
308 E. King St.

To register for this workshop contact Fritz Schroeder at fritz@livelancaster.org, 669-5990

Still available at subsidized prices, while supplies last !!

LIVE Green in conjunction with The Lancaster County Conservation District’s Watershed specialist Mathew W. Kofroth invite City residents to a workshop on the nature and impact of urban storm water pollution. Learn how to install and use your rain barrel along with other actions you can undertake around your home.

Environmental Benefits
Rain barrels offer multiple impacts and benefits to both the homeowner & municipalities’ infrastructure. Using rain barrels will help:
• Divert water from the municipal storm drain system
• Provide oxygenated, un-chlorinated water which is ideal for plants
• Direct overflow water where it will have the most beneficial impact.

Thursday April 7
Patio at Penn Stone
190 Ross St
6-8pm

Rain barrel’s are available to City residents for a subsidized price of between $30-50. please email Fritz Schroeder, fritz@livelancaster.org or visit our website www.livegreenlancaster.org for more details or to register for the workshop.

http://www.lancasterpagreenhomes.com/2011/02/03/off-grid-solar-systems-an-intro-and-update-with-bme-solar-of-lancaster-county/

Hope you like it!

As a west-coast refugee, I happen to really like contemporary style homes. While they are certainly less common out here in “amish country”, they can be found tucked in around Lancaster County and are just a lot of fun to check out.  One contemporary style I like in particular is called “Mid-Century Modern” and I’ve seen several around our area.

Today I am in a small, less-expensive example but still most definitely Mid-Century Modern, localed on the west side in Lancaster Township. Check out the beamed ceilings, glass walls and high transom-type windows. This home was built by a designer in 1947 who also reportedly built one or two of the Mid-Century Modern examples up on Blossom Hill north of the city in Manheim Township. The home that am filming this episode in does not appear to have been significantly upgraded in it’s lifetime, meaning that some original “modern” features still remain like the solid wood closet doors and even a very period dining room lamp. I love this stuff!

Mid-Century Modern design was in vogue from the late 1940’s through about 1970. This style had many iterations but most often was a one-floor layout with a flat or peaked roof and heavy beaming on the inside, without an attic. There were no basements in most cases. Floor to ceiling windows and “glass walls” to bring the outside in was a key component. A proponent of the mid-century modern movement was a builder named Joseph Eichler, who designed amazing homes on the west coast in the 50’s and 60’s.

In Lancaster PA, Mid Century Modern styled homes are obviously few and far between. I listed and sold a wonderful one in Manheim Township last summer (I really wanted to buy it myself!).  You can see the tour from last summer here. I’ve toured several and every so often one comes up for sale. Remember, a mid-century modern home is a contemporary, but a contemporary is not always a mid-century modern…

As many of you know, I am an advocate of greener homes. I found this video of a news story about a green remodel of a mid-century modern home in Palm Springs Cailfornia.

If you’d like to talk more about mid century modern homes or contemporary homes in general feel free to email at jeff@yourlancasterhome.

Today I take us over to Lititz, PA where Scott Pusey of Everydaygreen is doing a LEED gut-rehab of his concrete foursquare-style home.  Scott is an accomplished home energy audtor serving Central PA and this home will have a number of very cool features installed, not to mention outstanding energy performance.  I take a brief look around the first floor with a cutting-edge kitchen addition abuts traditional woodwork from the original home, then out to the yard to watch the two-tone color scheme siding going on.  It will really be a beauty when done!  To learn more about Scott’s energy services visit www.Everydaygreendc.com.  To see all the details of this Lititz green remodel go to www.lancasterpagreenhomes.com (my green real estate project blog for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania).  As always, feel free to email me at jeff@yourlancasterhome.com with comments or questions!