Puget Sound Home Demonstrates Green Building Concepts - 4/5/2004 - House Energy Efficiency

Puget Sound Home Demonstrates Green Building Concepts

Extensive research of the more than 4,000 King County residents who have visited the home over the last month and a half has found that consumers are most interested in the health benefits of the home — the clean air created by its advanced ventilation system and low emitting paints and finishes. Visitors have also been impressed by energy cost savings and environmental benefits.

Ideas included in the home are:

• Heat Recovery Ventilation — Ventilation is centrally controlled in the home’s tightly built envelope through a system that transfers 80% of the heat from the exhaust air to the incoming fresh air. In summer, if the outside temperature is higher than inside, the system works in reverse, removing heat from the incoming air.
• Low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints — Sherwin-Williams' Harmony paints used throughout the home are low-odor during application and have very low VOCs. The paint also provides a durable, washable, anti-microbial surface.

• Wool carpets — Featured in the master bedroom, wool carpeting does not release chemicals and comes from renewable resources. Wool is also more durable than synthetics, so it will last and look better longer.
• Garage Exhaust Fan — A special ventilation fan is wired to the garage door on a timer to remove car exhaust and other pollutants (from stored paint, glue and other chemicals) every time the garage door is opened. In addition, garage air is sealed from the main home.

The Built Green Idea Home is located in Issaquah Highlands, which is the first Built Green™ certified community in the Puget Sound area. Many of the features found in the home are also included in other homes for sale at Issaquah Highlands.

The home is a collaboration between Port Blakely Communities, Inc., the City of Issaquah and the Master Builder Association of King and Snohomish Counties. Sponsors include Puget Sound Energy, Bennett Homes, Mutual Materials, Whirlpool, Countrywide Home Loans, The Seattle Times Company, Fannie Mae and Windermere.

The home is open to the public on weekends from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. through April 11 and admission is free. For driving directions and other information, click here.