| I'm sure you've heard the argument that building an | | | | Organic Landscapingo Metal Roofo Rainwater |
| energy efficient, green home costs substantially more | | | | Harvestingo Fiber Cement Sidingo Non VOC Interior |
| than a home constructed using traditional methods. | | | | Finisheso Green Sustainable Products - Counter tops, |
| Until fairly recently this was a true statement but | | | | Trim, Floor Coverings, Finishes, etc.o CFL and |
| builders specializing in green construction are now able | | | | Flourescent Lightingo Energy Star Windows, Doors, |
| to build efficient green homes that are approximately | | | | Lighting, Applianceso Solar Hot Water Systemo High |
| the same cost as standard constructed homes. | | | | Efficiency Heating and Cooling Systemo Structural |
| Heather's Home is one such an example. Built by | | | | Insulated Panels (SIPS) |
| Ferrier Custom Homes - it is a three bedroom, 2000+ | | | | Passive solar design principles are an integral piece of |
| square foot, (get this part) affordable green built | | | | the overall efficiency of Heather's Home. For Texas, |
| home near Ft. Worth, Texas. This home is very | | | | this means minimizing sunlight exposure in the |
| energy efficient as it rates in the top one percent of | | | | summer months and maximizing it in winter months. |
| Energy Star home built in the United States today. | | | | A reversed scenario would be typical of a high |
| That translates into major savings when it comes to | | | | performance design for homes built in more northern |
| utility bills - how does around $15 per month sound? | | | | climates. |
| For Texas, where the summers are very hot, that's | | | | Water is heated by solar panels on the roof. Heating |
| pretty incredible. | | | | hot water typically accounts for approximately thirty |
| Heather's Home is the first home in the United States | | | | percent of a home's utility bills. Solar systems that |
| to be certified under the new and more strict | | | | power an entire house can be expensive, however, |
| American Lung Association's Healthy Home guidelines. | | | | solar hot water systems can be installed for as little |
| Additionally, it was built under the NAHB Green Home | | | | as $3,000. |
| Building guidelines and has been accepted into the | | | | Quality control is ensured using a HERS (Home |
| Building America Program sponsored by the | | | | Energy Rating System) test. The testing occurs |
| Department of Energy. Even more accolades include | | | | during and after construction to make sure that the |
| being the first Texas home to receive LEED | | | | home meets the stringent guidelines of the EPA for |
| (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) | | | | energy efficiency. To ensure that the house is |
| certification and the third home in the country to | | | | airtight, a duct blaster test is also performed as well |
| receive LEED's Platinum certification. Heather's Home | | | | as the review of a checklist for thermal bypass. |
| was also awarded the top most honor (Gold) in the | | | | Heather's Home not only looks great, it's affordable - |
| Energy Value Housing Awards by the United States | | | | proof that a high performance, green, and modern |
| Department of Energy, the National Renewable | | | | home can be economically pragmatic. Thanks to the |
| Energy Lab, and the National Association of Home | | | | innovations of Heather's Home there is no reason |
| Builders. | | | | that more builder's shouldn't be building green homes |
| Following are some of the high performance and | | | | for the general population. Shout it from the roof |
| green features that went into the construction of | | | | tops - you don't have to sell the farm to build a |
| the home...o Passive Solar Designo Proper Shading of | | | | green home. |
| Doors and Windowso "Thermo-Siphoning" Attic Fano | | | | |