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.