Designer: Kristianne Watts, LEED AP, Allied ASID,kw designs

View full images click HERE.

With the increasing importance and responsibility of saving the planet and all its natural resources, some individuals as well as companies have been thinking out of the box and creating innovative solutions to housing problems and the impact they have on our environment once constructed. Eco friendly or green homes have come a long way in just a short time frame. From wind-powered electric turbines to solar panels and geothermal heating systems, these homes are not surprisingly becoming a favored universal trend. This current style of dwelling will not only diminishes the carbon footprint a home leaves behind but has also has influenced some to design some of the world’s most extreme eco friendly homes. Below is a list of our top ten.

Athena Marie Plantation – North Hutchinson Island in Vero Beach is home to the Athena Marie Plantation. Known to be the largest green home built in the U.S. as of this date, this 45,760 square foot plantation is the first in the America to feature wind powered electric turbines on its roof. The second level has open curved balconies overlooking the main foyer with three oceanfront guest suites and a 400 square foot exercise room for Athena’s guests and their families and the master suite has ten mile views of the gorgeous Treasure Coast beaches of Florida. Even more impressive is the fact that this plantation is also the first green home design in Florida to use 100 percent renewable energy. This means it will be built with an Insulated Concrete Form wall system that will not only save energy and reduce its carbon footprint, but will also help the building withstand high winds and damage in the event of a hurricane.

The Orchid House – Located on a nature reserve in Cotswold, England, the Orchid House is part of the Lower Mill Estate, a green home building project that includes the development of several eco-houses. Presently it is the most expensive green home that has ever actually been sold at a record $14.2 million U.S. dollars. Although not as big as others, at 2400 square feet, the cost works out to roughly about $6,000 per square foot. The home features cutting-edge designs and will generate more energy than it consumes through a geothermal heating underground pump. The form is created using laminated veneer lumber clad with timber shingles imprinted with a camouflage pattern. The Orchid House was inspired by and resembles a bee orchid, a flower abundantly found on the nature reserve.

570 Edgewater Drive in Tampa, Florida– Tampa is a great environment for this most extreme green home structure. This 12,000-square-foot green home features solar electric panels, an underground pump for geothermal heating, LED lighting and a specially monitored system that lets the shower water be reused for flushing the toilets. The arrangements for this green home building construction anticipate it will generate as much electricity as it utilizes. As a matter of fact, this eco friendly home combines so many green home design principles that the builder’s hopes is to receive a platinum certification, which is the highest possible level of certification available from the U.S. Green Building Coalition’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

995 Longbow Place in Larkspur, Colorado – This 9,800 square foot home is known as “one of the greenest luxury homes ever built.” In spite of the enormous size, the utility bill costs a meager $350 per month. The spacious $4.5 million green home is full of eco friendly attributes like solar thermal panels, 90 percent efficient water heating systems, solar electric panels and wrap-around wall insulation. Recycled and organic materials were used throughout the home, like Volatile Organic Compound-free paints and stains and logs made of composite materials for the outside finish.

Portable Martin House-To-Go – Frankly, this has to be one of the most practical, eco friendly houses on the planet. It definite takes the term green to the extreme. With this portable house, you can pack up and move whenever you feel the need. The Martin portable house is constructed to the highest of building specifications and is weatherproofed with NASA accredited insulation that will endure harsh weather conditions. Although, the living quarters are small you will not be cramped. The floor plan uses the space wisely to pack as much as possible in to a small space, while giving its residents room enough to breath. It comes complete with a kitchen with sink, refrigerator and stove, a bathroom with shower, sink and toilet, and a roomy loft bedroom. It also has bamboo floors, cathedral ceilings and large windows to create a more open environment. The $33,900 price tag makes the Martin House-to-Go an affordable housing alternative to some of the other houses listed. This would be great for anyone wanting to reduce the high housing costs of traditional living choices.

Ewok Tree House – This Ewok style tree house was designed by Tom Chudleigh, a Canadian carpenter. The wood and fiberglass waterproof exterior protects the inside of the house which comes with a working kitchen that includes a refrigerator, sink, and microwave. There are also built in beds but unfortunately when using the bathroom you must use the great outdoors. For around $45,000 you can buy just the sphere but for another $50,000 or so you can purchase some extra accessories. The spheres are suspended in trees and accessible by a series of rope bridges. The 11ft wide eco friendly house can sleep four, allowing families to live in the forest without the need to worry about their carbon footprints.

The Zerohouse – This is yet another green wave of the future in sustainable design. Besides looking pretty cool, this eco friendly home provides creative strategies combined with attractive materials, colors and finishes. The zerohouse can collects solar power and store energy for up to at least a week’s worth of usage. It also gathers rainwater in an elevated 2700 gallon reservoir so that gravity can takes it course instead of tapping into the power supply. Waste is processed into dry compost below the house and insulation and day-lighting are used to balance internal temperatures and maximize thermal performance. The house has everything needed for a weekend getaway or long term residence, including a living room, kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms and covered deck. Everything in the house is automatic, with master controls wired to a central laptop computer.

Acqua Liana In Palm Beach County, Florida, developer Frank McKinney has built the world’s largest and most expensive eco friendly home. This enormity is priced at an astronomical $29 million and is the subject of a documentary called The Green Giant. Measurements are at 15,000 square feet and its green amenities include enough solar panels to cover a NBA sized basketball court and purifying systems that produce an air quality cleaner than that of a hospital’s operating room. To reduce temperature, the home features reclaimed and renewable wood, and plenty of waterfalls, pools, and reflecting ponds. There was even a special system created to collect and recycle runoff water from the roof to give to the garden and landscape.

Windermere on the Lake – The picture shown is a model home located in a community of quaint eco friendly lakeside homes’ centralized in Stamford, Connecticut . At approximately 7,000 square feet, it includes a number of optional features such as an elevator, wine cellar, home theater, exercise room, low VOC-paint, geothermal HVAC and Smart House energy controls. This would probably be considered a starter green home to some being that the other three models available range between $3.2 to $4.8 million.

The Dome House – Japan Dome Housing Co., Ltd, a home manufacturer in Japan, created a surprisingly amazing energy efficient, weather durable, Styrofoam expandable igloo shaped house kit. Believe it or not, this house of the future can be brought and assembled by you and two or three of your friends in a matter of three days provided you work nonstop or in about a week taking your time. A plus to using 100% foam instead of wood or metal, is that it is rot, water, and termite proof, which automatically saves the inhabitants thousands of dollars in future maintenance costs. Using these materials designed by expert engineers provides a structure that is extremely resistant to earthquakes, hurricanes, and typhoons, which also gives peace of mind to those living in environments with frequent and reoccurring forces of nature.

These homes are just some examples of the most extreme eco friendly homes. There are many upgrades that can be done that can certainly make your home more comfortable for your family and more energy efficient. Many options and green home design choices are available today, especially as the cost for sustainable products will continue to decline in the near future.

article by http://constructionmanagementdegrees.org

Light your home using the same amount of light for less money. Upgrading 15 of the inefficient incandescent light bulbs in your home could save you about $50 per year.New lighting standards take effect in 2012, and money-saving options such as halogen incandescent, CFL, and LED light bulbs are available today.

New Light Bulbs: What's the Difference?

Traditional incandescent bulbs use a lot of energy to produce light.

• 90% of the energy is wasted as heat
• That lost energy is money we are throwing away

Newer energy-saving light bulbs provide the choices in colors and light levels you've come to expect. The new lights are also much more efficient — so they save you money.

What Are My Lighting Choices?

Three of the most common energy-efficient lighting types include halogen incandescents, CFLs, and LEDs. You can find these in most hardware and home improvement stores, and they are all more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Halogen Incandescents — about 25% energy savings

Halogen incandescents are simply energy-efficient incandescent bulbs. These bulbs have a capsule inside that holds halogen gas around a filament to increase bulb efficiency and lifespan. This type of incandescent bulb is about 25% more efficient and can last up to three times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. They are available in a wide range of shapes and colors, and can be used with dimmers.

CFLs — about 75% energy savings

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are simply curly versions of the long tube fluorescent lights you may already have in a kitchen or garage. Because they use less electricity than traditional incandescents, typical CFLs can pay for themselves in less than nine months, and then start saving you money each month. An ENERGY STAR-qualified CFL uses about one-fourth the energy and lasts ten times longer than a comparable incandescent bulb that puts out the same amount of light.

CFL bulbs are available in a range of light colors, including warm (white to yellow) tones that were not as available when first introduced. Some are encased in a cover to further diffuse the light and provide a similar shape to the bulbs you are replacing. If you are looking for a dimmable bulb, check the package to make sure you purchase a CFL with that feature.

Fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury, and they should always be recycled at the end of their lifespan. Many retailers recycle CFLs for free. Seewww.epa.gov/cfl for more information.

LEDs — about 75% – 80% energy savings

The light emitting diode (LED) uses the same technology as the little indicator light on your cell phone, but designed to light your home. It is one of today's most energy-efficient and rapidly developing technologies. ENERGY STAR-qualified LEDs use only 20% – 25% of the energy and last up to 25 times longer than the traditional incandescent bulbs they replace.

LED bulbs are currently available in many products such as replacements for 40W and 60W traditional incandescents, reflector bulbs often used in recessed fixtures, and small track lights. While LEDs are expected to be more expensive at this early stage, their long life and energy savings cost less to operate. Prices are also expected to come down as more products enter the market.

If you're looking for easy ways to save electricity then the good news is that it doesn't have to be difficult! You don't have to do everything - start small and you'll be making a difference right away. 

1) Laundry: 
First on the list of ways to save electricity is laundry. Simply start washing your clothes at a lower temperature and you could save a huge amount of energy! And leave your laundry outside to dry as often as possible.

2) Switch Off Lights: 
One of the easiest ways to save electricity is to get into the habit of turninglights off as soon as you leave a room.

3) Draught-Proofing: 
In the winter you can help to save on your heating bills by checking for draughts around windows and doors. You can buy cheap draught-excluding materials from stores to fill these in and save money.

4) Freezers: 
Regularly defrost your freezer to ensure it's running as efficiently as possible.

5) Refrigerator: 
Do not open your refrigerator more than necessary - every time you open it you'll be making it work harder to cool down again.

6) Cooling Hot Food: 
If you want to put hot food leftovers in the refrigerator, let them cool before you put them inside.

7) Kettle: 
When using the kettle, only boil as much water as you need.

8) Electronic Devices: 
Instead of leaving them on standby, switch them off and unplug them completely.

9) Cooking:
Try cooking larger portions of meals in bulk so you can save on cooking in future by freezing portions.

10) Light Bulbs: 
Switch your regular light bulbs for energy saving models. This can save up to 75% of electricity usage for that bulb!

11) Shower: 
Shower for just 5 minutes and you could save a huge amount of energy - especially if you used to use the bathtub!

12) Close The Doors!:
Keeping doors closed around the home in winter can help to keep energy inside rooms that you are heating. Don't heat the rooms that you don't use!

13) Air Filters: 
Clean your air filters regularly and make sure that it fits properly to increase efficiency.

14) Your Electricity Provider: 
Search for alternative providers in your area and start buying your electricity from a “green” supplier to reduce your carbon footprint.

As you can see, most of these ways to save electricity don't involve you making costly home improvements or buying many supplies - simply change your habits and you could end up saving hundreds of dollars each year on your bills!

Click here to read more about energy efficient ideas

Article by @home_energy1

A Bathroom Remodel for Water & Energy Savings Is Affordable.

A bathroom remodel with updated flooring, cabinets, shower stalls baths and water saving fixtures can add value and beauty to your home while also saving you money. A green bathroom remodel does not have to be a complete makeover. If you are happy with your basic bathroom then just consider installing earth-friendly fixtures for a fraction of the cost of an entire remodel.

The bathroom is a place where lots of water is used in a home. Anywhere from 50 % to 75% of the indoor household water is used in bathrooms. There is a variety of advanced technology plumbing fixtures available that are designed to save you water and money. Products with the Water Sense label meet the EPA criteria for water efficient products.

Low flow shower heads deliver water at no higher than 2.5 gallons per minute (gmp)at 80 pounds per square inch (psi). Some deliver as low as 1.6 gpm.

Aerating low flow shower heads mix air with water while non-aerating shower heads do not. Non-aerating shower heads add a pulse to the water stream which makes it feel like more water is being dispensed than there really is.

Low flow shower heads are not expensive compared to the savings you will notice. By using less water in your shower you will also be heating less water so you will also save energy as well and conserve water.

Low flow faucets also come in aerating and non aerating.

These low flow products are designed to make it feel as though you are using the same amount of water even though you aren't.

Dual Flush Toilets have two flushing options. One uses half the water of a regular flush. There are new toilets that replace old models and there are also retrofit dual flush toilet valve kits that can be installed in your existing toilet to achieve a similar water savings. These are inexpensive and will save you money without the need to purchase a new toilet.

Low flow toilets have smaller tanks and use as little water as possible with each flush. Most usually use gravity or pressure assisted technology. You will need to do some research before purchasing one of these, because some models do not use enough pressure to properly clear a waste mark on the inside of the bowl and no one wants to save money on one flush but then have to flush it twice or brush the bowl after each use ! Some models work quite well though so it is worth looking into. Some municipalities offer rebates for purchasing a low-flow toilet.

Homes in USA built before 1992 with their original toilets most likely do not have low flow/ low flush toilets. In order to be considered low flow they must consume no more than 1.6 gallons of water. Prior to 1992 most toilets used 3.5 to 7 gallons of water per flush! Imagine how much water we could save by upgrading toilets where needed.

The dual flush retrofit toilet valve kits can also be used with newer low flow toilets that use 1.6 gallons of water. So you can still save money and conserve water by installing this device.

While bathroom remodels are popular to give an older home a more up to date look. You can still do your part to save water and energy heating water by installing these low flow products without changing the rest of the bathroom.

Bathroom remodels involving a complete facelift can cost more than you want to spend initially, so start with the low flow products and redo the rest of the bathroom at a later time that fits your budget better but don't wait on the low flow products until you decide to redo the whole bathroom look because that day may not come, and you will continue to waste water unnecessarily.

If you looking to remodel your bathroom or house for energy efficiency contact us at http://www.streamlinegreenhomes.com/

Article brought to you by:  www.homes-energy-efficient.com

Here is a great article from Healthy House Institute, on LEED for homes. For more information about LEED homes in San Diego County, contact us at http://www.streamlinegreenhomes.com/

Are all new homes created equal? Homebuyers often expect that they are. Generally, a new home is perceived to be of better quality than an existing home, assuming that a new home offers the best available performance. New homebuyers often do not realize that the building codes define the lowest level of acceptable performance in new homes. In fact, most new homes are built to minimally satisfy the building code. which is the lowest level of performance allowed by the law.

Homebuyers have begun to look beyond code-built homes, to higher quality homes that are available. Among these options are homes certified through green homebuilding programs, like the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System for Homes. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the LEED for Homes rating system as a tool to assess the overall performance of new green homes.
 
It is possible to buy a home that is designed and built to perform at a level that substantially exceeds the building code. As an example, an ENERGY STAR Home is designed to exceed the national energy code by 15-20% or more. New home buyers are also beginning to realize that there are other upgrade options available, beyond just energy efficient features. These performance options include health, safety and comfort features, durable designs, and more environmentally responsive designs and materials. And in some cases the whole community may be developed using a more sustainable approach. 

Consumers repeatedly raise a few important questions when researching green homes. What exactly is a green home? And, which programs can best help to differentiate a home with green features from a conventional (code-built) home?

The LEED for Homes program defines a green home as:

• Healthy
• Comfortable
• Durable
• Energy efficient, and 
• Environmentally responsible

One of the main purposes of the LEED for Homes program is to guide homeowners to new homes that meet this definition. A home buyer needs only to look for a certified LEED home to readily identify a true green home that has been third-party inspected and performance-tested. LEED homes substantially outperform conventional homes that are built to the minimum code.