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Entries from October 1, 2006 - November 1, 2006
Rustic planned community is one of the first green communities in middle Tennessee
Shorty after journaling about the green benefits of concrete "log" homes in a previous entry, I was contacted by the marketing director of a "rustic planned community" that is planning to feature real log homes using advanced energy-efficient engineering and construction.
Here is what they are saying about the development:
This new Rustic Planned Community is one of the first Green Communities in Middle Tennessee. We have recently released 2 of the 4 phases of this master planned community. The first phase, Phase II has sold all but 6 home sites and the second, Phase III has sold 40 of 95 home sites. What makes this community special is that we are working with our preferred builder to bring log homes made of special panelized building system, special geothermal flooring systems, solar panels, solar water heaters, energy star windows, and appliances. Our 5000 sq foot clubhouse will have green features, such as Japanese Ivy for lowered energy costs, geothermal flooring, and photovoltaic solar panels for heating. Plus, we are offering and encouraging all members of our community, through the TVA, The Green Power Switch. The Green Power Switch gives our owners the option to buy “blocks” of power generated from three renewable sources- the sun, the wind, and methane. We also offer, for no charge, a consultation with a local organic growth expert to educate owners how to grow naturally organic fruits and vegetables. On top of all of the Green initiatives, we are also working hard to make this a “silver friendly” community as well, taking into consideration design features that will continue to promote independent mobility in a person’s later years.
Our Developer, a member of the Urban Land Institute, has worked hard to develop this community with the natural design element of this truly beautiful area and to incorporate plants and shrubs native to the area in all our landscaping for the community. Also, in an effort to preserve as much of this area, while bringing much needed growth to the county, our covenants require that each owner maintain at least 50% of the trees on their home site. All of these incredible features start at $23,999 per home site (at least a 1 acre home site). You can’t find any progressive green thinking community for these prices! Plus, we have no required time to build, so buyers looking to get in on a community like this that are not ready to build are not pressured into building immediately. Plus, we have a premier customer service group to handle all your post purchase needs. We will take care of property management, construction management, as well as keeping all owners informed of all the new initiatives in alternative energy, the community, and the area.
Some Cumberland Plateau real estate has experienced a 30% year-over-year appreciation for the past two years, so this makes sense as an investment, even if you don't plan on living there and enjoying the long-term cost savings all the energy-efficient features will provide.
If you are interested in learning more about this community, call me at 404.421.9968 or email me at burke@ecohomeguy.com.
Burke Sisco
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PrintHardwood Homes: Concrete "logs" look like the real thing and perform better
Cultured Log Systems offers an environmentally friendly solution to the log home. The precast concrete logs look like the real thing because they are made from molds of actual hand-hewn logs. Not only do these homes have the exact quality, texture, and appeal of real logs, they out perform both traditional log homes and stick-built construction. Each "log" features an insulated core with a value of R-19, beating a typical production-built house by R-6.
The Cultured Logs™ website claims that "blower door" tests measured their structures as six (6) times as air tight as framed structures and seven (7) times as air tight as a comparable wood log home. Concrete also has good inherent insulation quality and provides the benefits of thermal mass, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it into the home's interior at night.
In addition, the homes don't require the restaining and resealing expenses required every three to five years of a log home, saving the homeowner $6K +/- in the process.
Better Indoor Air Quality -- "Tight" is Right
If you saw the October 1, 2006 episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition, then you know that indoor air quality issues are not to be taken lightly and can even be deadly. As the episode reveals, David Gilliam, father of six, died from what doctors believe was an allergic reaction to toxic mold.
"Sick buildings" are one of the top five threats to human health, as ranked by the U.S. EPA. The EPA has found that indoor air is typically between two and five times more contaminated than outdoor air and can be up to 100 times more contaminated! Conditions can even be worsened by Atlanta's hot and humid climate.
Toxic mold isn't the only potential threat to health with allergens, bacteria, aldehydes, VOCs, pesticides, and other pollutants waging a daily assault on many a home dweller's respiratory system.
Many have been misled into the notion that "tightening" a house (through energy-efficient windows, weatherization, foundation sealing, etc.) can cause poor indoor air quality. Actually the opposite is true: "Tight" buildings can provide a superior indoor environment when built properly and ventilated correctly. A well-designed ventilation system operating in a well-sealed house can help control moisture and pollutants, save energy, and increase comfort.
If you are concerned about indoor air quality in your home, testing is a good place to start, with testing options ranging from self-test kits to full evaluations by IAQ professionals.
The good news is that most indoor air quality problems can be addressed and improved.
Dig deeper into IAQ issues and mitigation strategies with the U.S. EPA's excellent online resource "The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality".
If you are ready to make the move to a home with better IAQ, let EcoHome Guy help you find the "tight" home that's right for you.
