Miranda & Hardt

Why consider incorporating green elements in the construction of your new home or office? There are at least 4 reasons:

1. Economics. With the prices of most energy sources on the rise, you might do well to look into alternate sources. Simply put, green alternatives can save you money, and some can even gain you a rebate or tax write-off.
2. Reduce dependence. With green design features, you can reduce your dependence on commercial energy-and also help our country reduce its overall dependence on foreign energy suppliers.
3. Stand out from the crowd. In the current real estate market, there's a lot of competition, especially near the beach. Any green features you add to your home or office can add to its value.
4. They're, well, green. These things are all good for the environment, which benefits all of us-and future generations.

• Geothermal heating and cooling systems. This technology taps into the earth's natural temperature-stored energy that can regulate the heating and cooling of your home or office. These systems are more efficient than ordinary heating and air conditioning systems, delivering five units of energy for every one unit of electrical energy used. Many owners realize savings up to 70 percent for heating, cooling and hot water. A typical 1,500-square-foot house in this area with a geothermal system cuts annual heating and cooling bills almost in half, from $1,100 or so down to about $560 per year, versus a standard efficiency heat pump. According to Frank Miranda, "You are not burning coal, or wood, or gas or oil. I put one in at my house. In the 15 years since I've had it, it's paid me back again and again."
• Tankless water heaters. Instead of heating water, only to have it lose some of that heat as it sits in the tank, these heaters instantly heat hot water as it's needed.
• Energy Star appliances.
• Efficient windows and doors.
• Blown-in fiberglass insulation.
• 40- to 50-year shingles. You don't have to replace them as often, and they cause less landfill waste.
• Solar shingles. These shingles include photovoltaic panels to capture solar energy but resemble ordinary asphalt shingles.

• One of their recent green developments is the nine-home community of Bridle Ridge. It even announces its green-ness right on the community's welcome sign: "An environmentally friendly community."
• Many of the commercial buildings they've recently developed use geothermal heating and cooling.
• The Miranda and Hardt office building is geothermal.
• They've even retrofitted their own houses with green features.