9.27.2006 - 12:47pm ET

(CSRwire) Greenfield, MA-Following a summer of record heat and skyrocketing energy bills, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) invites the public to visit local energy-saving experts during the 2006 Green Buildings Open House. The Open House, which is part of the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour, will welcome the public to visit "green" homes and businesses, and see clean renewable energy systems on Saturday, October 7, 2006.

Multiple private homes, businesses, public buildings, and clean renewable energy installations throughout the northeast will open their doors and welcome the public to tour, ask questions, and discover the variety of ways these people are saving energy, money, and the environment. The Green Buildings Open House, sponsored by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Trust, will be held in all six New England States, plus New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

More than 10,000 people visited Green Buildings Open House sites last year; and with more concern over home-heating costs and foreign oil supplies, many more visitors are expected this time around. A complete list of Green Buildings Open House sites and events is available at www.nesea.org. Use the list of Open Houses in your area to plan a visit or design your own tour of one or more local Green Buildings.

"We're delighted to present this one-day showcase of real-world green buildings and renewable energy," said David Barclay, Executive Director of NESEA. "Homeowners and facility managers will be available to give a tour and answer questions. The Green Buildings Open House presents ways to save money on energy costs and showcases clean renewable energy being used today. Everyone that uses electricity or is considering a home renovation or purchase, should attend their local Green Buildings Open House on October 7 and learn from people who are living and working happily with their green, energy-efficient choices."

A number of technologies will be available to learn more about including how solar hot water is collected and stored, how photovoltaics can be placed on or integrated into the shell of a building to produce electricity, and how wind can be used to generate power. Open House visitors may also see water-saving fixtures and appliances, the use of solar heating ("passive solar") techniques, the use of allergy/asthma-sensitive building materials, and the variety of green materials including paints, insulation, carpeting, and renewably-harvested wood products. Visitors may also learn about how they can support renewable energy by purchasing clean renewable energy through their utility company or a green electricity provider.

Incorporating green elements into buildings offers advantages that address many of the problems headlining today's news. Energy-efficient buildings can reduce heating costs over traditional buildings; reduce our dependence on foreign oil; slow down the pace of global warming; reduce pollution-induced increases in asthma-related illnesses; reduce the incentive to drill for oil and gas in pristine landscapes; and even generate surplus clean energy to power other buildings.

"Many people feel that our country's energy problems, global warming, and fuel costs are beyond our control," Barclay explained. "But the Green Buildings Open House shows specific steps we all can take. The chance to talk with those who've already done so is inspiring and will show how everyone can have a positive effect on these global problems."

The Green Buildings Open House is sponsored by The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Trust, Western Massachusetts Electric, BP Solar, New York EnergySmart, New Jersey Clean Energy Program, Global Resource Options, Efficiency Maine, the Maine State Energy Program, Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Equal Exchange, and Solar Works Inc. Media Partners include E The Environmental Magazine, CSR Wire, GreenBiz.com, Green Living Journal, High Profile Monthly, Smart HomeOwner Magazine, EIN Publishing, and Environmental Design + Construction. Akeena, MAK Technologies, Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association, New York Solar Energy Industries Association, and Solar Energy Business Association of New England are promotional partners of the 2006 Green Buildings Open House.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is the Northeast's leading organization of professionals working in sustainable energy, whole systems thinking and green technologies. NESEA facilitates the widespread adoption and use of sustainable energy by providing support to industry professionals and by educating and motivating consumers to learn about, ask for and adopt sustainable energy and green building practices. NESEA accomplishes this through a number of ongoing programs and annual events including:

Building Energy conference and trade show, Tour de Sol America's Number 1 Green Car Show and Competition, K-12 Education, Green Buildings Open House Tour, Sustainable Green Pages, www.nesea.org or call 413-774-6051.