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Second 'green house' tour showcases energy-efficient homes

By Cindy Hodnett
HomePlace Writer

In many circles, green is the new black when it comes to a healthy bottom line. As companies try to adapt to consumer demand for environmentally responsible products, many are finding that a successful shift to "green" often translates into increased revenue, and the result is a win-win situation for business and the environment.

This afternoon, several local builders are presenting the residential-construction version of green during the second Energy Star Open House Tour. Featuring properties in all price ranges, the tour showcases much of the latest energy-efficient technology available in the residential market, and visitors to each home will get a firsthand look at the many benefits of building an Energy Star home.

"Last year alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved enough energy to power 10 million homes and avoid greenhouse- gas emissions from 12 million cars — all while saving $6 billion," said Leap Realty's Sarah Olson, quoting figures from the U.S. Department of Energy. "According to the EPA, homes contribute 16 percent of total greenhouse emissions nationwide. That can be more than your car.

"Energy Star has close to 3,500 builder partners nationwide and projects that 2 million Energy Star homes will have been built by 2010," Olson said. "By choosing Energy Star, you can be confident that when it is time to sell your home, you will have an advantage over the listing competition."

Olson said that Energy Star homes make sense for many reasons. In addition to the energy savings, homeowners with Energy Star features often enjoy healthier homes as well.

"The air inside your home is two to five times worse than outside air," Olson said. "ES homes are built tight while also providing fresh-air ventilation systems to keep indoor air healthy. This can be extremely important to families who have allergies and/or asthma."

Thirteen homes will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. during the Energy Star Open House Tour. Many are in the Triad's most popular communities, providing buyers with a healthy, energy-efficient residence and desirable neighborhood amenities.

Lot 13 and Lot 26 at Spring Lake Farm ($519,500 — Lot 13)

Builder: Homes by Hamrick
Energy Star/green features: Guaranteed heating and cooling costs, solar hot-water heater, radiant floor, ICF basement walls, Low-E windows, right-size heating and cooling, $5,500 tax credit
Directions: From downtown Winston-Salem, take Business 40 East to Highway 158/Reidsville Road exit; continue 2.5 miles to a right turn on the second Stanley Road entrance; turn right into Spring Lake Farm on Spring Lake Farm Circle and continue to the house, on the right.

Lot 695 and Lot 700 at Legacy Village ($399,000 — 695 Legacy Village; $378,834 — 700 Legacy Village)

Builder: Mitch Lowrey Construction
Energy Star/green features: Tankless hot-water heater, high-efficiency heating and cooling, Low-E windows, high standards of insulation throughout
Directions: Take I-40 West to the Highway 801 exit; turn left over the bridge; turn right into Oak Valley on Oak Valley Boulevard; turn left on Legacy Drive.

123 Meadow Creek Court ($364,900)

Builder: Sonoma Building Co.
Energy Star/green features: Sealed crawl space, tankless water heater, Arc Seal insulation, Low-E windows, high-efficiency HVAC system
Directions: Take I-40 West to the Highway 801 exit; turn left on 801 to right on Highway 158; turn left on Gun Club Road; turn left on Beauchamp Road; continue two miles to a right turn into Meadows Edge and turn right on Meadow Creek Court.

2750 Spicewood Trails Lane ($749,800)

Builder: Wishon & Carter Builders
Energy Star/green features: Green Fiber Cocoon Insulation package, Energy Star advanced lighting package
Directions: Take Silas Creek Parkway North to a left turn on Yadkinville Road; continue to a left turn on Spicewood Drive (at Grandview Golf Course); turn left into Spicewood Trails and continue to 2750 Spicewood Trails Lane

675 Bridlespur Court and 5540 Brookberry Farm Road in Brookberry Farm ($799,900 — 675 Bridlespur Court; $625,000 — 5540 Brookberry Farm Road)

Builder: Reliable Builders Inc.
Energy Star/green features: Advanced framing techniques to prevent noninsulated corners or voids in exterior perimeter walls; insulation supported with backer-boards; blown-in insulation in exterior perimeter walls; Energy Star windows; super energy-efficient natural-gas water heater, Energy Star appliances
Directions: Take Highway 421 North to the Lewisville-Clemmons exit; turn right on Styers Ferry Road; turn right on Country Club Road; turn left on Meadowlark; turn left into Brookberry Farm (continue on right to Bridlespur Court for 675 Bridlespur)

164 Boxwood Circle in Bermuda Run ($459,900)

Builder: T&A Builders
Energy Star/green features: Dual-zone HVAC with 14 SEER air source heat pumps, exterior house wrap sealed at edges, advanced sealing and caulking, R-19 insulation in exterior walls, R-38 insulation in attic, sealed crawl space with wireless monitor, tankless water heater
Directions: Take I-40 West to the Tanglewood exit; turn left on Harper Road; turn right on Highway 158; turn left into Bermuda Run on Bermuda Run Drive; turn left on Riverbend Drive; turn left on Boxwood Circle

1305 Somerset Cove ($290,500)

Builder: T&A Builders
Energy Star/green features: exterior house wrap, dual-zone HVAC with 14 SEER, advanced sealing and caulking, sealed crawl space, tankless water heater, R-15 insulation in exterior walls, R-38 insulation in attic, Energy Star fans in all bathrooms, compact fluorescent bulbs in most light fixtures
Directions: Take Stratford Road south toward Clemmons; turn right onto Somerset; turn left onto Somerset Cove Drive

9045 and 9080 Grove Pine Lane in Pine Meadows ($393,900 — 9045 Grove Pine Lane; $317,500 — 9080 Grove Pine Lane)

Builder: Ricci Builders
Energy Star/green features: Rinnai tankless hot-water heater, Corbond closed cell foam insulation, sealed crawl space, insulated garage, fresh-air intake, Low-E glass, IAQ (indoor air-quality) package, two 14 SEER heat pumps
Directions: Take I-40 East to South Main Street at Kernersville (exit 14); turn left on Main Street and continue through Kernersville; veer left on Piney Grove Road at Walgreens and continue three miles to a left on Grove Pines Lane into Pine Meadows

1374 Mint St. ($274,000)

Builder: Hurst and Brown Developers
Energy Star/green features: tankless hot-water heater, sealed crawl space, thermal windows, Hardi siding, dual-zone HVAC, Energy Star appliances, Energy Star lighting, recycled composite decking
Directions: Take I-40 East to Highway 52 North; take Vargrave Street exit (108B) and turn right on Vargrave Street; turn right on Mock; turn right on Mint Street

The Energy Star Open House Tour is today from 2 to 4 p.m. For photos of homes and feature listings, go to www.sarah.listingbook.com. Olson will be on site at 1374 Mint St. to provide more information about Energy Star and green-building techniques.