Green Buildings Open House set for Oct. 6
The harmful effects of global climate change and the need to help reduce carbon emissions have become widely accepted.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) invites the public to visit local green buildings in the Northeast to see energy saving in action during the 2007 Green Buildings Open House on Oct. 6.

Eleven homes in Monmouth County will be open to the public, including homes in Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, Red Bank, and Sea Bright, Long Branch, Freehold, Hazlet and Marlboro. All feature grid-connected solar electricity generation. Some have other "green" features.

For the locations and descriptions of the residences, go to http://nesea.org/buildings/openhouse/.

The Open House, part of the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour, is an opportunity to learn first-hand how incorporating "green" elements can help reduce heating costs, increase energy conservation and even generate surplus clean energy.

Examples of green features that are used in homes and buildings that will be open during the event include: passive solar heating, solar hot water collection and storage, generation of electricity using photovoltaics (solar panels), energy-saving appliances and techniques, use of sustainable and healthy building materials and the use of water-saving fixtures.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is an organization of professionals working in sustainable energy, whole systems thinking and green technologies. For more information, visit www.nesea.org or call (413) 774-6051.