Groves Park Commons is TN’s first Certified Green Subdivision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2009

Contact: Harvey Abouelata, Abacus Creative Marketing

Email: harvey@abacuszen.com

Phone:(865) 386-7860

Callie Schmidt, NAHB

Email: cschmidt@nahb.com

Phone: (202) 266-8132

Groves Park Commons is TN’s first Certified Green Subdivision
Development deemed ‘game changer’ for homebuilding industry

Oak Ridge, Tenn.-Groves Park Commons subdivision in Oak Ridge was certified as Tennessee’s first certified Green Subdivision by the National Association of Homebuilders, Research Center during the Parade of Homes last weekend. Only seven other certified Green Subdivisions exist in the United States.

“The standard and the certification process provide the home buyer with assurance that this community has been inspected and verified to be authentically green,” said NAHB Green Building Subcommittee Chair Eric Borsting, a builder from Stockton, Calif. “I congratulate the builders and developers of Groves Parks Commons for their leadership in sustainable design and construction.”

Housing developments that meet the requirements of the National Green Building Standard are designed protect environmentally sensitive areas, meet energy efficiency standards and preserve the native vegetation as well as natural water and drainage features on the site. Site improvements can include additional storm water management features and infrastructure that encourages the use of walking, biking and public transit while minimizing the addition of impervious surfaces.

Groves Parks Commons fits a unique gap in Oak Ridge’s housing market as Oak Ridger’s recruit a growing workforce. Oak Ridge National Lab hired more than 400 new staff members in the past 12 months, and they still have open requisitions for nearly 300 more. This emerging workforce in Oak Ridge will be looking for a place to live.

“Grove Park Commons is one of several new residential developments being built to appeal to the next generation of professionals coming to live and work in Oak Ridge,” said Parker Hardy, President and CEO of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

Hardy was joined by the President of the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), Ted Bard; the VP of NAHB, Research Center Tom Kenney; Mayor Tom Beehan, ORNL director, Dr. Thom Mason, developer Walter Wise and builders Mike Stevens and Bill Kennedy during the certification presentation.

At the certification presentation last weekend, Thom Mason, Director of ORNL, noted that residential electricity consumption in Tennessee is higher than in every other state except Alabama.

“But it’s also terrific that these houses are being built to the highest possible energy standards,” said Mason. ” This saves money for homeowners, and it also reduces the environmental impact of these houses.”

The homes at Groves Park Commons will be tested by a third party Energy Star Certified Energy Home Rater. The minimum designed unit will be 20%-30% more energy efficient than the standard home.

Mason also noted over the past several years, ORNL has used partnerships to move toward a key Department of Energy goal: houses that produce as much energy as they consume.

With the kind of energy efficiency and efficient building material science advancement coming out of ORNL, “in 2030 houses should be able to produce as much energy as they use, while keeping us comfortable and reducing the demand for electricity from fossil fuels.”

Oak Ridge High School football coach, Scott Blade, was the first to purchase a home in the Groves Park Commons subdivision in Oak Ridge.

“We love it, everything is first class,” said Blade, 35. “I just felt like this was a great opportunity for me and my family.”

What attracted Coach Blade and his family to Groves Park Commons was the construction, the high-end amenities, and the energy efficient homes.

For more information on Groves Park Commons visit: http://www.pr.com/company-profile/overview/46057

Images: http://www.pr.com/company-profile/image-gallery-c/46057-1409

WBIR - Green Certification 2009

Oak Ridge subdivision breaks green ground

Oak Ridge subdivision breaks green ground

WBIR
Jim Matheny Updated: 10/18/2009 12:05:48 AM Posted: 10/17/2009 11:17:17 PM

Saturday the National Association of Home Builders certified the Grove Park Commons subdivision in Oak Ridge as the state's first Green Subdivision.

The new neighborhood is built on the site of the former Old South Hills Golf Course site in Oak Ridge. In addition to being the first completely green neighborhood in Tennessee, it becomes only one of eight green subdivisions in the entire country.

The Traditional Neighborhood Development features energy-saving and environmentally-friendly designs from the streets to the attics.

"What we've done here is used a foam insulation and encapsulated the roof area," said builder Bill Kennedy from the attic of one of the new townhomes. "This allows us to get rid of the insulation normally found on an attic floor. That means the attic is almost the same temperature as the rest of the house and the duct work remains in a conditioned environment free of condensation and mold."

The airtight attic also features a tankless water heater, energystar heating system, and constant intake and exhaust of fresh air into the home. Kennedy said this and other constructed elements add up to a 35 percent reduction in utility bills for the nearly 2,500 square foot townhome.

"This unit will cost $1,500 a year for all of your heating, cooling, running your appliances, and running lights," said Kennedy.

Those savings go for all of the homes in the neighborhood.
Everything from the appliances, building materials, windows, doors, and courtyards are certified green by the NAHB Research Center.

"We're trying to build smarter, yet still have all of the comforts that we're accustomed to," said Thomas Kenney, vice-president of engineering and research at NAHB. "You're not giving up anything per se, but we're doing it better."

Kennedy said the streets and neighborhood layout also contribute to a green environment.

"The neighborhoods are built around people instead of their cars," said Kennedy. "The roads are narrow and reduce storm water runoff but also control traffic flow. We've also built the homes close to parks where people can enjoy their neighbors without driving."

The homes aren't cheap. The lowest listing price is $299,999 on the sign at the entrance to Grove Park Commons. The appliances and insulation also cost more up front. But Kennedy said what costs more in the short-term will save money, the environment, and the country in the long run.

"We have to be responsible in how we take care of this country, so that what we use we produce here," said Kennedy.

There are currently ten homes in the subdivision. Kennedy said the neighborhood layout allows for construction of up to 325 of the new green homes.

Both Kenney and Kennedy said there are some things anyone can do to improve the energy efficiency of their home.

"I would start with trying to limit the amount of air penetration. Things like caulking windows are easy and very inexpensive," said Kennedy.

"I would start with looking at upgrading your hot water heater or central heating and air conditioning. That is what I would consider low-hanging fruit since most homeowners are already in the routine of replacing those items every 10 to 15 years," said Kenney.