October 2010: Many of you have asked for a list of the materials in our Green Home: Here they are:
#1 and most important, without whom none of this would have been possible, our architect Bob Bourguignon with Sustainable Architecture in Moore, SC: (864) 486-0898. Now the materials and other services:
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS: Fischer SIPS
www.fischersips.com
Doors and Windows: Peachtree Zo-e-shield 7. Contains multiple layers of Low-E coatings that filter out the light's spectrum's heat transmissions to optimize the sun's heat and a home's heating/cooling systems.
www.peachtreedoor.com
Low-Flow Faucets: We used Peerless but you should choose whichever brand you like best because they all offer low-flow versions these days. Just look for 1.5 GPM or the "WaterSense" label.
Low-Flow Shower Heads: We used Hansgrohe but once again, choose what suits you. For shower heads, look for 1.75 GPM or the Watersense label.
Floors: Morningstar Bamboo from Lumber Liquidators:
www.morningstarbamboo.com and
www.lumberliquidators.com Bamboo is green because it is a grass, so does not need to be replanted and can be harvested every five years. We used carpet in only three rooms and it was made from recycled plastic bottles, offered by various manufacturers at Home Depot.
Countertops: Zodiac Mossy Green by DuPont. Zodiac is quartz, which is impermeable. Unlike granite which has to be sealed often. LEED (and the FDA) do not accept granite because it's porous surface can harbor bacteria. The color we chose, Mossy Green, also contains 50% consumer recycled glass.
http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces/en_US/products/zodiaq/index.html?src=zodiac_countertops_g_Exact|mkwid_sggush133_4913365490_4320em1513
Paint: Our paint came from the Sherwin Williams Harmony line, either low or no VOC's. With no or low volatile organic compound content, you can breathe easier. Literally.
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/green/
Roof: We chose an Energy Star reflective cream color metal roof from Lowes. This makes even our attic over the garage, which has no insulation, tolerable during the extreme summer heat.
Solar Water Heater: Our solar water contractor is no longer around but there are many more out there now. Siding: We chose Certainteed for our cement fiberboard siding because the quality was comparable with Hardie, but less expensive. The product we chose also uses 50% fly ash, which is recycled waste from coal-fired electric generating plants. There's another LEED point! But unfortunately, Certainteed doesn't make this product anymore but others do so don't give up. Pest Control: We chose Gregory Pest Control in Columbia, SC because they use the Sentricon termite bait system which is environmentally friendly:
www.gregorypestcontrol.com/why-green/targeted-solutions.html
Rainwater Harvesting: The underground tank is simply 1000-gallon septic tank. Our irrigation system is hooked up to it using a Rainbird 4-zone control, driplines, four valves, and a Gould Irri-Gator self priming pump model GT-10.
www.goulds.com/pdf/7305.pdf
Appliances: All Energy Star GE Profile appliances, including a front-load washer which saves over 10,000 gallons of water per year. Fireplaces: We chose the Heat & Glo direct vent model 750 TRS with the electronic pilot. Direct vent models use the outside air for combustion and exhaust which is much healthier for the indoor environment. The electronic pilot means the pilot light is on only when the fireplace is being used, saving gas and $10 - $12 per month.
www.heatnglo.com
Landscaping: For the landscaping plan, we needed someone who specialized in working with a LEED architect to assure we had the right native and drought tolerant plants for our land and who knew how to do a rain garden. Bob, our architect, recommended Richard Powers with SM&E in Spartanburg, SC and we were very happy.
www.smeinc.com
HVAC: For heating and air conditioning, we wanted a geothermal system, but at $38,000 it was just too expensive to consider. So we went with a high efficiency
Tempstar 15 SEER dual-fuel heat pump system utilizing a separate heat pump and gas furnace that work together. Dual fuel, means it will use gas during the coldest times. During the winter, if the heat pump runs continuously for 15 minutes, it will automatically switch to the more efficient gas heat. Our contractor is Will Andrews with Design Air Systems in Columbia, SC.
