Latest News from Picacho Mountain...

 

Curbside recycling service is just one of the many ways that Picacho Mountain Master Planned Community in Las Cruces, New Mexico has demonstrated leadership in green development, green building, and green living.

Now, residents at Picacho Mountain can  take advantage of improved curbside recycling service!

Picacho Mountain is pleased to announce that Mesilla Valley Disposal is now offering our residents 50 gallon mixed-container recycle bins.  Previously recycling had to be separated out into separate bins. However, now all acceptable recycling items can be combine into one single bin, like many other communities around the country.  Additionally, Mesilla Valley Disposal has expanded there recycling service pick-up from once a month, to twice a month for Picacho Mountain residents.

Contact us today at 888.511.9872 for more information about the green homes in Las Cruces, New Mexico available at Picacho Mountain.

I remember reading a story to my children years ago about a big bad wolf and how a brick house kept him from enjoying three little pigs for dinner. Unfortunately that brick house can only keep the pigs safe.  On the other hand, an insulating concrete form, or ICF, home would keep them safe, warm, and protected from the elements.

For generations, home builders in Las Cruces, New Mexico and around the country have primarily used three materials to build homes: sticks, bricks and concrete block. Technological advances and an increased focus on green building have driven many builders and homeowners to search for a better way to build homes. One of the great green technologies receiving increased attention is insulating concrete forms (ICF).

The following is a guest post by our good friend Miles Dyson of Inspection Connection.  Miles is Las Cruces, New Mexico's foremost expert in home inspection, energy rating, and green certification.

Green development certification programs make more than just sustainable, green homes.

The Building Industry Association of Southern New Mexico (BIA-SNM) announced last week that the Fall Parade of Homes has been modified for 2010 and will now feature energy-efficient and sustainably built homes in a Green Street single-site setting.

The homes constructed will be special since each will be required to meet rigorous silver level certifications through either the Build Green New Mexico/NAHB Green or U.S. Green Built Council - LEED for Homes programs. Homes built within the development will also be Energy Star certified and will be required to have active solar energy generation capabilities.

Going green has gained a strong foothold in certain sectors of society.  But 2010 is shaping up to be the year where green building really takes off, especially in New Mexico real estate through Net-zero and zero-energy homes.  In the past, the green movement has primarily focused on saving energy in the transportation sector. Hybrid vehicles are more popular than ever before, and many city mass transportation systems are already running on cleaner, abundantly available natural gas.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, transportation only accounted for 28 percent of all energy used in the United States in 2008, while buildings – residential and commercial – accounted for 39 percent of total energy usage. If we are ever to make a significant difference in energy consumption, we must change the way we consume energy in our homes and offices.

On Monday, January 11th, we held the first Design Charrette of 2010 to assist future Picacho Mountain residents, Tom and Ann Clark, in the design process for the LEED Certified home they are planning to build this year. A Green Design Charrette is an intensive, hands-on workshop that brings together a future homeowner with green experts and professionals to explore options and create a green and sustainable plan for a specific new custom home and home site.

There have been some confusing reports in the news recently concerning global warming. Several reports have called into question the severity of climate change and its causes. Personally, I am going to leave it up to the scientists to determine the full extent of global warming. In the meantime, these reports may have left you asking whether green building in New Mexico would still be worth it, even if there wasn’t a climate change problem. After reflecting on this issue, I have personally come to the conclusion that green building is the right choice regardless of the debate about global climate change.

My decision to implement green building and green development techniques in my company in Las Cruces, NM and my own home in New Mexico actually has little to do with global warming. I like making decisions that are good for the environment in the long term, but I am passionate about making changes that make good economic sense and can improve the quality of life today.

“Green” has definitely become a buzz work lately.  You see it promoted on TV shows, on the news, in advertisements, even at the grocery store.  All the hype over going “green” and green building has cause much debate, fueled skepticism.  Is it practical?  Is it affordable?  Is it a fad?  What does it mean?  And finally, does green building really make a difference for individuals, communities and the world?

When it comes to building new homes or remolding custom homes in New Mexico, there are several easy principles you can use to guide you through the maze of Green Building and Sustainable Living. These principles can help you make common sense decisions about what green choices you should make in your existing or new home in new mexico.

Proper insulation reduces heat flow through the home’s envelope, keeping heat in during winter and out in summer, and has a big impact on home energy bills and comfort.

Fact:  Heating and air-conditioning systems require up to 43% of the average home’s total energy usage*! 

Contact Us today at 888.511.9872 for more information on available Green Homes and the Picacho Mountain Green Build Commitment!

* Source: 2007 Buildings Energy Data Book, Table 4.2.1., 2005 energy cost data

As Southern New Mexico's only certified Build Green New Mexico community, Picacho Mountain has laid exceptional ground work for residents to life a greener life.  Now Picacho Mountain features certified green homes estate homes, and the Willows Patio Homes will all be built to Build Green New Mexico Standards.  Contact us today at 888.511.9872 for more information about build green certified homes.

So what makes a home green? A green home incorporates smart design, technology, construction and maintenance elements to significantly lessen the negative impact of the home on the environment, improve the health of the people who live inside, and save the homeowner money.