Stanton Homes - Building Green in the Triangle

Looking for a Rain Barrel???

Holly Springs is having a "Rain Barrel Blockbuster" on Saturday, March 15th.  They've sent a huge order directly to the manufacturer, and the barrels will be available for purchase at the Bass Lake Park & Retreat Center.

Barrels are $75 for 60 gallons, and $85 for 80 gallons.  This is a pretty good discount from regular retail prices, so the Town of Holly Springs is anticipating quite a run on these. 

Holly Springs residents get first chance at the barrels, from 8 am - 11 am.  At 11 am, sales open to the general public. 

Limit is two barrels per person.

Now is a great time to purchase rain barrels.  It's almost spring, and the grass is starting to green.   Planting season starts within the next couple of weeks! 

A barrel will most likely fill completely in a typical rainstorm. 

Hoses can attach to the bottom of a rain barrel, and homeowners can water by hand.  There isn't enough water pressure to use a sprinkler. 

Rainwater is great for gardens and washing vehicles. 

Holly Springs is still under water restrictions.  Odd addresses can water Tuesdays and Saturdays, 6-10am and 6-10pm.  Even addresses can water Wednesdays and Sundays 6-10am and 6-10pm.  This could change, so check http://www.hollyspringsnc.us/ for the latest information.

Money Magazine reported that Holly Springs 2007 population was 11,800.  If 1000 of those homes buy and use 60 gallon rainwater barrels, that's 60,000 more gallons of available water - after every storm! 

Other Triangle cities have also begun offering reduced prices on water-saving items like rain barrels.  Please feel free to share if you've heard of a specific program!

Here's a handy map so that you can get in line early!  And if you can't make it to the super rain barrel sale, here's a link directly to the Holly Springs rain barrel information. 

View Larger Map

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Rain, and water, is on the minds of North Carolinians right now.  Water, and the lack of it, is mentioned in almost every newscast, and there's at least one story in every newspaper edition. 

People are wondering what to do.  You and I are used to being able to go outside, turn on the hose, and water the lawn.  Heck, it's almost a tradition in some families to pull out the hose and wash down the cars every Saturday morning.  What better way to spend a warm, sunny Carolina morning than spraying down the cars (and the kids)? 

At Stanton Homes, we started looking into ways to help conserve water, both now and in the future.  We found that Rainwater Collection Systems, while very popular in some countries, were ALMOST unheard of in the United States.  But that's changing.

I decided to write an informative article.  I wanted to share all the information I had gathered, and tell people where to find these systems, as it took some digging for me to find out about the subject.

To date, the most popular blog I've ever written is this:

Rain Water Collection Systems - What Are They, How Do They Work, and How Much Do They Cost?

Not only is it the most popular in terms of views, this article also has the highest click-through rate of anything I've written - 85% click through.  I was surprised, at first, how much water conservation is on the minds of homeowners.

It's obvious, now, that folks are starting to ask questions about how they will help save water in the long term.  They're starting to look into collection systems as a viable alternative.  We've even been interviewed by home improvement expert Bob Vila, and featured in a national article, due to the simple fact that we offer rainwater harvesting to our homebuyers.  It's still a young trend in our nation, but interest is growing.

There are a lot of options: above ground and underground, with more and less elaborate filtering systems, in varying sizes.  The biggest step is deciding what to use, and whether to take a permanent step to help conserve water - and be able to fulfill gardening and landscaping hobbies, which for many people is a very fulfilling activity.

I hope that my article continues to be helpful, and that we will be asked to integrate systems into more homes as we move forward.  It sure feels like this is the "wave" of the future!

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Raleigh custom home builder Stanton Homes has captured the interest of Home Improvement Expert Bob Vila. 

Stanton Homes has been featured in a water conservation segment of Bob Vila's "Green Building" series.  Rainwater collection systems offered as an amenity by Stanton Homes have captured the attention of national home improvement and remodeling guru Bob Vila. An article detailing this water conserving measure is featured on Bob Vila's website.

"I'm pleased about the national attention on rainwater collection systems" said Stan Williams, CEO of Stanton Homes. "When homeowners are asked to conserve water, lawns and gardens can suffer. Rainwater harvesting systems allow for lawns to be watered, cars and driveways to be washed, and gardens to bloom - even in the middle of a drought."

"Green Homes Special Series - Water Friendly Landscapes", written by Bob Vila staff writer Maureen Blaney Flietner, underscores several ways to maintain a nicely landscaped home, even in areas with a short water supply. Rain gardens, native landscaping, low water landscaping, and irrigation using a rainwater harvesting system are all ways to stay "green" when there isn't as much water, according to Flietner.

The article noted that Raleigh custom home builder Stanton Homes offers rainwater collection systems in new homes, and described how a homeowner might plan for a rainwater system.

Raleigh has been under Stage 1 water restrictions since August 28, and as of February 15, the city has moved to Stage 2 restrictions, as rainfall levels continue to be lower than normal. Under these mandates, cars may be washed only at car washing facilities. No water may be used to wash sidewalks or driveways. No hand, sprinkler, or irrigation system watering will be allowed until Stage 2 restrictions are lifted.

Although surrounding cities, such as Cary and Holly Springs, are not as restricted, outdoor water use is still very limited until more rain falls, or city and state planners can come up with alternate water sources.

"It makes sense to install a rainwater system, especially in North Carolina where there are year-round rainstorms", said Williams. "There are a lot of options - above ground or below; large or small. We work to educate home buyers on the kinds of systems that fit their requirements, and are prepared to install a wide variety of options."

Stanton Homes offers rainwater collection systems for every home they build - included with select homes, and available as an option in all homes. They also provide free installation for any above ground system added to a Stanton Home.

"We want to help homeowners cultivate a garden, grow a vibrant yard, and wash the car on a warm Saturday afternoon - no matter what kind of restrictions the weather brings," said Williams.

A basic rainwater harvesting system includes a 550 gallon above-ground tank. Rain is collected from gutters, filtered, and stored in the tank. A hose is connected to the tank, and a small motorized pump allows hand or sprinkler watering. A small fence can be placed around the system at nominal cost for screening purposes.

Underground systems are also available with a new Stanton Home. Tanks range from 400-10,000 gallons, and many can support landscaping irrigation systems.

Rainwater collection systems are just one of the environmentally sound features offered by Stanton Homes, which also include Energy Star lighting packages and appliances, grey water reclamation systems, solar pathway and landscaping lights, and sealed and insulated crawlspaces.

"We believe in building exceptional living experiences, and that includes natural resource conservation," said Williams.

Read the whole article at the Bob Vila website. 

http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Green_Homes_Special_Series_br_Part_Three_Water_Friendly_Landscapes-Green_Building-A3062.html.

**Free installation includes set up of system and connection to one downspout. 

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