Ahead of the Curve

It wasn't very long ago that when a home was called a green home, it referred to the color of paint on its exterior. But today it means something far different. A green home is one that incorporates smart design, technology, construction and maintenance to significantly lessen the negative impact of the home on the environment. And it's a healthier home to live in as well.

“I started hearing about energy efficiency in the general marketplace maybe three years ago,” says Kevin Enyeart, vice president and general manager of Gale Home Builders and chairman of the Kansas City Home Builders Association Build Green Council. “The low buzz suddenly became a low roar.”

When Kevin first began investigating building green homes, he discovered that there was a $2,000 federal tax credit available for homes that met certain environmental standards. But many of the materials used in green homes were not available in the Kansas City market.

“I wanted to construct green houses to reduce impact on the environment, but I also wanted to educate the Kansas City marketplace, builders and developers about how they could construct green homes without spending too much,” he says.

Kevin modeled what he was doing after the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) list of critical elements in green building. The seven features are:  lot design, preparation and development; resource efficiency; energy efficiency; water efficiency; indoor environmental air quality; operation, maintenance and homeowner education; and global impact.

All of these elements combine in a practical way in green homes. For example, green homes avoid environmentally sensitive areas, protect the natural areas surrounding a job site by either avoiding construction in those areas or installing silt (dirt/mud) protection materials to keep silt from flowing in during periods of heavy rain, manage water flow on the building site and use construction materials that require fewer resources such as panelized framing walls and roof trusses. Recycled materials are also used in some floor decking, exterior wall and roof frame products. Sustainable materials are encouraged.

“These houses don't appear any different from other homes,” Kevin says. “The processes and materials are very similar to nongreen items.”

Small things can make a big difference. Using two-by-six interior walls instead of the standard two-by-four allows for more insulation. No gaps are allowed in ductwork. Low expansive foam is caulked around windows to keep air from escaping. One green feature used by most builders in the area is the vapor barrier on the outside of the house. If water happens to get behind the siding, the barrier sheds the water to keep it away from the walls. If water does get through, the barrier allows it to escape so moisture won't penetrate.

Kevin recently completed two homes at New Longview in Lee's Summit, both of which received federal energy tax credits and green home certification. Craig and Nedra Mitchell moved into one of the homes recently.

“When you drive into this neighborhood, it's a traditional-style neighborhood, much like Brookside,” Nedra says. “It's not a typical subdivision, so people are usually surprised when they come to visit. They expect it to look a lot different.”

Their youngest daughter is studying environmental engineering in California, and she was the impetus for the couple to start thinking green.

 “I am living smaller and more efficiently, and I know my daughter has been a big influence on that,” Nedra says. “We recycle much more than we used to. I'm just more aware of the impact we all have on the environment.”

The Mitchells' home has compact fluorescent bulbs rather than incandescent bulbs, and the carpeting is made of a recycled material that also will be recyclable when the Mitchells feel it's time to replace it. They also have a heat pump and receive an energy discount from Kansas City Power & Light. All appliances are Energy Star-rated.

“I was excited about the actual construction,” Nedra says. “The walls are thicker and you can just tell how soundproof it is when you walk around. I feel better and more secure with the added insulation.”

The Mitchells' like-minded neighbors Jodi and Corey Baker had been planning a move for quite a while and had created a list of items that were important to them, with energy efficiency at the top.

“When the builder looked at our list, he asked if we were interested in adding a couple more items,” Jodi recalls. “He gave us ideas we hadn't thought of before.”

The Bakers' home is a Craftsman-style bungalow with period details. “We put in half-height bookcases, and there's a window seat in the dining room. The home definitely has an old-fashioned flavor,” Jodi describes.

But it is filled with modern technology for a green twist. It is efficiently heated and cooled and features dual-flush toilets that save water when the user selects a half flush rather than a full. Another feature the Bakers enjoy is the solid, two-by-six construction.

“I'm not a construction person, I'm more interested in the paint colors. But I love this construction because there's more insulation. The aesthetic benefit is nice, with deep window sills that give the home a comfortable feel,” Jodi says.

Green features began as an economic choice for the Bakers, but they soon realized that building green  was the right thing to do.

“There's no good reason not to pursue the green option. The costs were minimal and we'll recoup them over time. Building a green house just makes sense,” Jodi says.