Easing green features into everyday lifestyles

They don’t look very different from other houses on the block. But below the siding, brick or stucco, a “green” home can stand out from its neighbors by using less energy and natural resources. At the same time, it can cut an owner’s utility bills and create a healthier indoor environment —- making the folks next door green with envy.

Many of today’s new homes come with built-in features that make them eco-friendly. Building those same features into renovated homes can bring green savings to older homes as well. Here’s a look at how three area homeowners have integrated green features into their everyday style.

Cici Coffee, Decatur

A few years ago, Cici Coffee and her partner, Celia Pully, decided it was time to refurbish their 1940s home in Decatur. The founder and CEO of the Natural Body Spas knew that she wanted to employ the same energy-saving and eco-friendly features that were in her spas, in her own home.

One of the key things she learned about running a chain of spas is that water is very much in demand, but can be expensive. “So for home, we bought a 15-gallon hot water heater with recirculating pumps,” Coffee said. “This way, we’re not opening the faucet and wasting a lot of water before the hot comes out of the pipes. It’s efficient without a lot of energy demand.”

By reconfiguring the design of the 3,300-square-foot house, the two were able to shut off areas that don’t get a lot of use. “We don’t even condition some of the space unless we have guests,” Coffee said. “We also used some thick insulation under the roofing and sprayed in insulation for an air-tight seal.”

Other green features include LEDs in all the lights; Energy Star appliances; bamboo floors; and low VOC paints and glues.

Coffee mixed reclaimed items in with the new, re-using an old door from her sister’s house; having stair treads built from a tree that fell in Druid Hills; and refinishing heartpine floors and beams.

“We tried to keep as many of the bones of the old house as possible while incorporating the lessons we learned from making the spas green,” she said.

Kinshasa Williams, west Atlanta

Attorney Kinshasa Williams didn’t set out to buy a green house, but fate led her to an Earthcraft home that had been built as a showcase to benefit Children’s Healthcare.

“I was always interested in the green and thought it was the way of the future, but I also thought it was something I’d have to bring into a house —- not something I could buy already in place,” she said. “I’m fortunate to have found it all in this house.”

Williams’ three-level home was finished with low VOC paints and energy-efficient appliances. Four rain barrels collect rainwater for the yard irrigation systems. A single solar panel fuels the hot water system that also features a back-up gas tank.

A gray water system was installed. And though there’s a high-efficiency cooling system, Williams doesn’t need to use it constantly in the warm weather.

“The house was designed with an open plan that circulates air through the home,” she said. “So if I open all the windows, I don’t always have to use the air conditioning.”

Dawn and Keith Reed, Milton

It took about 10 months for Dawn Reed and her husband, Keith, to create their green home. Dawn took the lead, doing extensive research on green concepts and working with a consultant to incorporate them into a new Earthcraft-certified house. But first she had to persuade her builder, Geoff Duncan, to go the extra mile.

“I’d never built an Earthcraft house before but Dawn was very committed to being environmentally friendly,” Duncan said. “I was anxious to learn the style so I researched, took the certification class. But what really got my attention was that my standard spec house was 95 percent Earthcraft anyway. It just took more planning and attention to detail to finish it.”

Construction of the 7,600-square-foot house started with re-using the material removed to clear the lot.

On-demand hot water pumps, foam insulation, high energy-efficient systems and appliances —- including light bulbs —- were part of the package. The hardwood hickory floors were found in a sustainably managed forest.

Pulling together all the pieces didn’t take as long as she expected, said Dawn Reed. “I was actually shocked that we could do it in the amount of time we did,” she said. “And there wasn’t as much expense involved as I thought there would be. In fact, I’m surprised [green building] isn’t something that happens all the time in new houses, but I think it will be in the future.”

TOP FIVE WAYS TO GO GREEN AT HOME

Frank Wickstead, president of the Atlanta remodeling firm WicksteadWorks, suggests five of the fastest ways to turn your home into an eco-friendly environment.

> Switch to LED bulbs: “These bulbs are rapidly becoming more affordable,” Wickstead said. “They’re cooler; they use almost no electricity; and they have an unbelievably long lifespan.” They’re also ideal for cutting the cost of those outdoor lights you want to leave on all night.

> Add new attic insulation: “The best thing you can do for your house without tearing into the walls is to put open-cell spray foam insulation in the attic,” said Wickstead. The brand Icynene is among the most popular that can be sprayed along the rafters to create an air barrier, making the attic part of the building envelope. But it’s not particularly cheap: “For the average Atlanta attic, it will cost between $4,000 and $5,500,” Wickstead said. “But you’ll notice lower heating and cooling costs immediately.”

> Encapsulate the crawlspace: This is a DIY project that will vastly improve the air quality in the house. Install a vapor barrier and insulated foam boards along the side walls to create a tight seal.

> Eliminate air exchanges: Any spot where warm or cool air is escaping is an energy drain. Most homeowners are familiar with weatherstripping around windows and doors, but what about electrical outlets? An ultracheap (about 15 cents) square of foam insulation behind a switch plate can plug the hole.

> Replace old toilets: “Dual flush toilets are awesome and they start at $260,” Wickstead said. “They’ll decrease water usage up to 30 percent, and it’s something you can change out yourself.”