Jan 7 2016
To join in the 20th anniversary celebration of the EPA's Energy Star Program and kickoff their commitment to include solar on all of their houses, BrightLeaf Homes will construct one of their Eco Three models as the first Energy Star Certified new-construction home in LaGrange.
This house will be the "greenest" home ever built in the area and will be the first home by BrightLeaf to showcase this energy producing technology. The project will be completed in the spring of 2016.
In addition to the Energy Star Certification, this Eco Three will be a DOE verified Zero Energy Ready Home, carry the EPA's Indoor AirPlus certification, and also be built to LEED Gold standards. Although solar panels will be the most prominent green aspect of the home other features will include high efficiency windows and doors, all energy efficient lighting, superior levels of insulation, a high efficiency furnace and tankless water heater.
Various sustainable and eco-friendly construction practices will be implemented from the beginning to the end of this project. Although there was an existing home on the property that had to be removed, it was methodically deconstructed rather than demolished the conventional way to reuse and recycle a significant amount of the original building materials. Throughout the project all cardboard that comes to the site is recycled and 50% - 70% of the remaining material waste that makes it into the on-site dumpsters is then recycled at a construction debris sorting facility. All finish materials will be sustainable, low VOC products supplied by Green Home Experts of Oak Park, who will be working with BrightLeaf Homes as the interior designer on this project.
According to the Department of Energy, residents of Illinois spent an average of $684 per person on residential energy in 2012. That means an average family of 4 will spend approximately $2,736 on home energy bills alone. The Eco Three is modeled to cost only approximately $800 per year and at 3,200 square feet, is much larger than an average house. With solar PV panels, this home will be the greenest house ever built in LaGrange with a projected HERS score of 19.
Source: http://mybrightleafhome.com/