The greening of the Eastern Shore

Eco-friendly building chic even in rural areas

By WENDI WINTERS, For The Capital

Published 11/08/08

The eight Eastern Shore counties of Maryland may not garner the headlines of the more urban and suburban areas of the state when it comes to embracing green building and landscaping techniques, but the movement is taking hold and, in some cases, is a model for the rest of the state.

Courtesy photo
Berlin resident Ron Cascio, owner of Chestnut Creek, a home-building consulting, development and contracting firm, utilizes environmentally sound techniques in his home and the homes he builds. He said it’s a lifestyle for him, and it was a good career choice, too. Mr. Cascio’s home, above, is a model of “green” building and is 50 percent more energy efficient that a standard home of the same size, he said.

For starters, save for the oceanfront and bayside resort areas, the Eastern Shore has not seen the post World War II building boom experienced by communities around the Washington and Baltimore beltways. In the more rural counties, huge swaths of land that once were tilled by Colonial farmers are still in the hands of their descendants.

Berlin...

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Reduce Your Energy Bills - November 9, 2008

How To Reduce Your Energy Bills / Energy Conservation Begins at Home Imagine leaving a window open all winter long -- the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan or AC Return, a fireplace or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day. These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause heat to pour out and the cold outside air to rush in -- costing you higher heating bills. Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits caulk and weatherstripping provide to minimize heat loss and cold drafts. But what can you do about the four largest ?holes? in your home -- the folding attic stair, the whole house fan or AC return, the fireplace, and the clothes dryer? For complete info visit www.batticdoor.com

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