Once again Habitat for Humanity is a shining example of how affordable it really can be to build green. Habitat for Humanity of Kent County (MI) is currently building a home for a disabled veteran and his family that’s expected to achieve LEED Gold.
Construction Liaison, Jamison Lenz of AmeriCorps states, “This house follows a standard tried and true building procedure that… is a good comprise of efficiency and affordability.” He continued saying most homeowners see a 40 percent reduction in monthly utilities compared to standard homes. These savings are thanks in part to a tightly sealed building envelop.
Local Standard Lumber and Andersen employees donate time to build
Such a tight building envelop requires the use of an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) bringing fresh air inside while minimizing energy loss. The use of low VOC caulks, sealants and paint, Green Label Plus carpet and SCS Indoor Advantage Gold certified windows donated by Andersen, also helps ensure healthy indoor air quality.
These energy efficient homes remind us of the importance to factor in all the operating costs such as heating, cooling and lighting, when calculating the true cost of a home.
