HGTV Green Home Information.
I recently took a trip out to Florida where I was able to tour the green house that HGTV is giving away. The home is part of a planned 
neighborhood called Tradition. Tradition is neighborhood with a small town feel. Everything you need in a normal day is within walking distance.
When you walk up the driveway the first thing you notice are permeable pavers. Instead of sheeting rain water away from the house they allow the water to absorb into the ground. The garage is detached, which cuts down on carbon monoxide and other contaminants from entering the home.
There is a garden, large rotating compost and rain barrels around the side of the house. As seems to be standard in Florida the garden is set up with an automated irrigation system.
I didn’t notice this, but read that the community collects storm water from streets and stores it in a network of retention ponds. This water is reused for irrigating of lawns. Something we can all emulate at home is the use of native and drought tolerant plants.
The ceiling of the home is are insulated with spray foam that expands to fill every cavity and void. Many of these spray foams are soy based or organic based. The home uses an active air exchange system that controls the way the home breathes. Air is conditioned before it enters the house and is limited to a specified volume.
The climate control system has several zones allowing more control over the temperature setting in individual rooms.
The water is heated by solar, tankless water heaters. A recirculation pump has been installed so that you don’t find yourself wasting cold water waiting for hot water to come out of the faucets (i.e. the shower).
Compact Florescent Lighting (CFL) is used throughout the home along with solar tubes. I love the solar tubes. They allow the home to use natural light during the day. I would have liked to see the use of LED lighting over the CFLs. LED uses far less energy and are less harmful to the environment. The house does include a PV solar electricity system that produces about 40% of the homes power use.
One of the most green aspects of the construction process was the use of local materials and minimal waste. Many of the materials were from recycled sources. The low VOC paint was provided by Sherwin Williams (as advertised throughout the home). The benefit of low VOC paint is reduced off-gassng (or the releasing of chemicals into the air).
The house sets a great example for the community. It blends in well, but demonstrates the health and financial benefits of a green home. It is no wonder that by 2010 over 10% of new homes constructed are expected to be green homes. Non green homes are likely to feel old school before their time.
Click here to read more & see additional HGTV home photos.
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