June, 2007
By Iris June Vinegar

Tired of hearing profanity like global warming, ozone layer, pollution and — dare we say it — chlorofluorocarbons? Don’t worry. We won’t get into greenhouse gases, just green houses.

That’s green as in healthy-built houses that can not only improve the health of their occupants but our precious environment. These green homes feature energy and water-saving devices as well as materials to reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution — matters of increasing concern to home buyers.

“We have a large population of highly educated people living in the Triangle,” notes Triangle Realtor Linda Craft of Re/Max One Realty. “They understand the environment they choose will affect their health and quality of life.”

Homebuilders are well aware those concerns. The U.S. Green Building Council, a non-profit coalition of building industry leaders, devised the LEED (leadership in energy and environmental design) green building rating system to help builders achieve a sustainable resources program. Last year, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) published green building guidelines and in North Carolina, the HealthyBuilt Homes Program provides a certificate for homes meeting its own green guidelines”.
Locally, the Green Building Councils of the Home Builders Associatons of Raleigh-Wake County and Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties (DOC) are developing green standards and programs. The DOC association also sponsors an annual Green Home Tour focusing on the NAHB’s Green Building Initiative Program.

One of that program’s guiding principles is design. “A good design leads to efficient placement of mechanical equipment and careful selection of products,” explains M Squared Builders president Michele Meyers who chaired the 2006 and 2007 HBDOC Green Home Tours. But when it comes to affordability, Meyers notes, “the footprint always grows when one has to have separate offices, exercise rooms, etc.” So does the price. But green homes can be found in just about every range, depending on the size and level of green.

CASA LUCCA, $3,250,000

Casa Lucca, Bost Custom Homes’ 7,871-square-foot lakeside estate home in Youngsville, has a large footprint. Fortunately, that footprint is green like its surrounding Hidden Lake community, developed in an ecologically sustainable manner by Crescent Communities with advice from Audubon International.
During a recent visit to the stone-and-stucco Tuscan villa, builder Rex Bost pointed out several green features that not only can minimize the risk of health hazards, but save money over time. Many of those features were included in consultation with Audubon natural resources manager Sarah Anderson, who emphasizes that how we build homes today can significantly affect the future.

Casa Lucca was built with old reclaimed timbers and bricks considered green because no new trees were cut and no new raw materials mined, which reduces landfill waste. “Using old materials is always beneficial” Anderson explains. “It’s ultimate recycling.” Among the villa’s greenest features are the energy-efficiency devices. These include masonry framing that creates a stronger, quieter and more energy-efficient building envelope than traditional stick framing, and “Icynene” closed-cell spray foam insulation that protects the home from air leakage. The foam-sealed low-E windows reflect radiant energy in summer and retain interior heat in winter.

Of course, this home boasts Energy Star appliances that not only help to save the environment but can also save the homeowner about $80 a year. In addition, overhangs two feet wide help to cool the house in summer and protect it from winter frost.

On the south-facing side of the concrete barrel-tile roof are solar panels that absorb the sun which then heats water for the solar water heater. This roof contains no toxic compounds and will never have to be replaced.

Water saving is accomplished by collecting water from the roof and grounds via Free Rain, Bost’s patented water-harvesting system that provides water for irrigation and the dual-flush toilets that can save 67 percent more water than the average toilet. That system could save more than 500,000 gallons of potable water usage in one year.

To reduce indoor toxic emissions, the paints, stains and varnishes throughout the home have no or low VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Many interior surfaces will have no paint at all. Instead, “American Clay” plaster will provide beautiful textures in an array of natural colors. The carpet is made from recycled material to minimize the off-gassing frequently responsible for health problems like asthma and allergies.

This is the first home to feature LLF’s LED recessed light fixtures throughout. Developed here in the Triangle, these fixtures offer the same amount of light as standard fixtures, but use only 11 watts of power and emit considerably less heat. They last up to 20 years.

For these and other green features in Casa Lucca — designated the 2007 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society House — Bost Homes will receive Audubon’s highest recognition, the Five Leaf Award.
Rex Bost, a member of the Raleigh-Wake HBA’s Green Building Council, predicts that once the green rating systems become standardized the public will understand the importance of green building and it will become mainstream. ”That should bring down costs for more efficient appliances, low VOC paints, foam insulation, etc.”

Casa Lucca will be completed in September. Among its luxury features are an exercise studio, main-floor owners’ suite, library, wine cellar, observation tower, three guest suites, two loggias, two verandas, two garages and a Tuscan pool and spa.

For information, visit www.bosthomes.com.

THE MEREDITH - $697,300

Living in a green home should make everyone feel good, but a healthy house is a must for persons with asthma and allergies.

That’s why building The Meredith, a 2001 Parade house in Durham’s Treyburn golf course community, was a labor of love for its builder, Michele Meyers, who started building green because of severe allergies. In fact, after it was built, the 4,084-square-foot, two-story luxury home was certified as a Health House by the American Lung Association. Meyers’ company, M Squared Builders, has since received numerous awards for its green homes.

The Meredith boasts all the green bells and whistles, including a sealed crawl space that improves the quality of indoor air as well as the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of the home. It also features Icynene foam insulation for walls and ceilings, a sealed HVAC system, energy recovery ventilation system and two carbon monoxide detectors. The Legacy Weathershield windows and patio doors are Energy Star compliant, the glass is low E and a Beam central vacuum prevents dust from resettling during use.

Also, the Corian counters have no glues or resins, paints and primers have no VOCs, and all caulks, glues, duct sealers and dry-wall joint compounds in the home are non-toxic and solvent-free.
But because a home is healthy doesn’t mean it can’t be luxurious. In addition to formal living and dining rooms, The Meredith has a breakfast room off the gourmet kitchen, four bedrooms, four full and two half baths, plus a studio/bedroom with bath over the three-car garage.

And what a view! The charming wrap-around porch overlooks a driving range, #1 Green and Treyburn Country Club.

The Meredith, at 216 Tennwood Court, Durham, is listed with Linda Craft and Team at Re/Max One Realty.

See next week’s Saturday Real Estate section for Part II of Greening the American Dream, which will feature more moderately priced green homes.

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