What Drives Us [Our History]

Green Horizon was founded in 2007 by Bobby Ferrel and Walker Harris based on three beliefs about buildings.

1. They should be efficient in their energy use.
2. They should be healthy for their occupants.
3. They should minimize their impact on the environment.

They apply these beliefs to all projects, from single-home energy remodels to historic renovations, and large multi-home developments. Green Horizon has also improved the efficiency of Hillsborough Town Hall, and designed and installed a state-of-the-art 5,000 gallon rainwater harvesting and irrigation system at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. (Other rainwater harvesting projects have ranged from a 27,000 gallon system for a pet resort, through to a 30,000 gallon system for a private residence in Raleigh.) 

A CLEAR PATH TO REAL ACTION
"There’s no shortage of experts telling people they should do 'something' about the environment and their health, yet there's precious little information out there that clearly and simply tells people what steps they should take to have a home or office that's healthy, efficient, and green," explains Ferrel. "So, that's something we're happy to do."

"A core advantage of our approach," says Harris, "is that we look at how buildings perform as whole systems.  Too often homeowners receive advice from folks with a vested commercial interest. If you sell HVAC systems, it's only natural to see every efficiency issue as a HVAC problem. Likewise if you sell windows, insulation, or anything else, that’s what you recommend as the answer. We look at the bigger picture."

HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE
Green Horizon provides a comprehensive range of services for homeowners, businesses and builders alike. Offering detailed energy audits, GH begins by advising homeowners on the best path to an efficient, healthy home, and then set about making happen. By not being tied to any one technology or materials partner, Green Horizon is able to offer homeowners solutions which are tailored to the needs of their specific homes.

TAKING GREEN MAINSTREAM
Looking to the future, the people of GH see themselves as comprehensive providers of green renovation and green building solutions, while also working as advocates for common sense in the building trade. As efficient, green building becomes the norm rather than the exception, Green Horizon will help ensure that commercial and residential buildings alike are equipped to perform as they should.