11: Charles Hendricks, The Gaines Group (Sustainability)

Hello Harrisonburg

Full show notes and the Thank You Gift atwww.HelloHarrisonburg.rocks/charleshendricks

Charles Hendricks of The Gaines Group kicks off this week's five-episode Sustainability Week with an information-rich interview focused on how his architectural services can make residential and commercial buildings energy efficient, durable, and healthy. Charles is a United States Green Building Council LEED Accredited Profession, and a National Home Builders Association Certified Green Professional and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist. Tune in to hear how Charles designed a 4,000 square-foot Crossroads Farm home that has a $100/mo electric bill (half of which is for the jacuzzi!). Also, hear how Thomas Jefferson's plan for UVA's Academic Village inspired Charles' work. Charles shares a wide array of resources - be sure to tune in! Here are links to some of what he highlights:

• The American Lung Association has resources about healthy indoor air quality. Charles mentioned The Gaines Group builds with healthy indoor air quality in mind, especially because Americans spend 90% of their time indoors.
• Charles helped start through the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce the Aging in Place Roundtable, which holds monthly meetings anyone may attend
• Charles helped start the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Green Network, a network of people and organizations committed to being in communication about local sustainability efforts
• The Harrisonburg Ecominds Listserv (Google Group) is one anyone can join to be in an informal email group to discuss and/or announce sustainability-related items. See this link and request access if you'd like to join.

Charles shares three success stories: an historic residential renovation, a commercial new construction, and a luxury residential new construction.

Links based on Charles' show:

• HERS - Home Energy Rating System (like car MPGs for homes)
• Virginia Statewide Building Code - From the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (a new code is being adopted in July 2015)
• Local Home Energy Audits by Building Knowledge (Benjamin Meredith)
• EPA Home Energy Yard Stick - Get 12 months of utility bills and see how you stack up against your neighbors
• Harrisonburg Green Drinks - Join the monthly meeting: http://www.greendrinks.org/va/harrisonburg
• Solarize Harrisonburg - See how home owners are working together to all get solar energy systems on their homes at the same time so they can benefit from cost savings
• HRGN.org - Harrisonburg-Rockingham Green Network (information, network, and calendar - and Facebook page)

Charles Shameless Plug

Get in touch with Charles and The Gaines Group to discuss your next building renovation or new construction - for residential or commercial buildings!