Green building: steeper up front costs, long-term rewards

Green building: steeper up front costs, long-term rewards

By ANN KEIL
6 News Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Green building is a fairly new trend nationwide to create environmentally friendly homes that are also cost-effective. In Knoxville, the practice is just starting to take root.

6 News caught up with a young Knoxville couple, Alice and Brian Hester, who are having their first home built 'green.'

"We care about the environment, and we knew we were going to be building a home that we were going to be living in for a long time," Alice says. 

"We want it to run as efficiently as possible, which is our main goal. Save definitely on the heating and cooling bills, electric bill, and the water bill," the Hesters say.

That means more money up front for the Hesters, but big time savings in the long run.

For example, their geo-thermal heating system costs about $30,000. That's $10,000 more than a top-of-the-line, conventional heating system.

The couple expects a 50 to 60 percent reduction per year on their electric bill, or a savings of $1,200 to $1,500 a year.

They'll get back the difference of choosing this system in seven to nine years.

The Hesters' tankless gas hot water heater set them back $1,100. That's about double the price of a traditional water heater.

However, the couple expects to get a 20 to 25 percent reduction, so they'll see a savings of at least $100 a year.

They'll get back the difference of choosing this heater in about five years.

The Hesters will also get a federal tax credit of up to $500 for installing Energy Star Appliances.

The couple says they also found ways to 'go green' without busting their budget, and in some areas, they're even saving money.

For instance, their home will have what's called a passive solar design. That means their home will take advantage of natural energy characteristics in materials and air created by exposure to the sun.

"Passive systems are simple, have few moving parts and require minimal maintenance and no mechanical systems," greenbuilder.com explains.

"With the passive solar design, you create a deep awning that allows the sun to come in at certain periods of the day, but it also blocks the late sun in the afternoon that generates so much heat," Alice explains. 

They're also using recycled glass tiles made of broken windshields, beer bottles and mirrors.

The home also has solar tubes to allow direct sunlight in, double-paned Low-E windows and cork flooring and tile, to limit the wood in their home.

"Right off the bat, they were talking about green, environmentally friendly, and a higher quality home, which are things we're really interested in," says Fred Trainer, the Hesters' builder.

Trainer describes green construction as the way of the future. "It's a great service that we can offer our customers and we are stewards of this creation, why waste. There's no reason not to be green."

Still, Trainer is one of only a few local builders who've jumped on board.

"As the homeowners drive this, and the economy helps drive the homeowners, the builders are going to have to change," says fellow builder Mike Dulin, with Ethics Construction.

But Dulin says finding all the right products and materials isn't easy because they're not readily available, at least locally.

"You have to pick and choose what their issues are. Do they have allergies? Are they concerned about air quality? Then we'll address that. Or are they more concerned about their utility bills?" Dulin explains.

Still, the Hesters say building green is do-able, and it's an investment that just makes sense.

"If you're planning to stay in a home for 10 years or more, it's definitely everything you hear and read. It's the way to go," Brian says.

The Hesters will move into their green home by mid-May.

Researchers with the University of Tennessee are helping spread the word on the need to build 'green' nationwide.

Through an three-year EPA grant, ISSE's Center for Clean Products and Clean Technologies is helping develop a list of environmentally preferred building materials for modular homes in Gulf Port, Mississippi, an area decimated by Hurricane Katrina.  

"We think that a lot of our research and any of our data and learnings on materials can then be translated to the whole building industry," says Catherine Wilt, policy director for the clean products center.

Wilt says that means they'll help define what is 'green building.' That way, builders and homeowners can more easily create healthy, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective green homes.

The U.S. Green Building Council lists several environmental, economic, and health benefits to building green.

Environmental benefits:

• Enhance and protect ecosystems and bio-diversity
• Improve air and water quality
• Reduce solid waste
• Conserve natural resources

Economic benefits:

• Reduce operating costs
• Enhance asset value and profits
• Improve employee productivity and satisfaction
• Optimize life-cycle economic performance

Health and community benefits:

• Improve air, thermal, and acoustic environments
• Enhance occupant comfort and health
• Minimize strain on local infrastructure
• Contribute to overall quality of life