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Florida - HGTV Green Home 2009 Case Study
National Information
Region 4 Toolkits
Historic Preservation and Green Building
Green Building Standards, Certifications, Model Codes and Ordinances
- American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE 90.1)
- Green Advantage-credential program for construction personnel
- Green Footstep - Rocky Mt. Institute
- Green Globe for Buildings
- Green Seal
- International Green Construction Code
- US Green Building Council-Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Professional and Trade Associations
Sustainable Design and Green Building Guides and Products
- CDC Tips for a Green Home
- DSIRE: Database of state incentives for renewables and efficiency
- EPA Green Power Locator
- Forest Stewardship Council
- Green2Green - compare green building products
- International Living Future Institute
- National Resources Defense Council - Building Green
- Savannah College of Art and Design Emergent Structures Initiatives
- Sustainable Facilities Tool
- Sustainable Sites Initiative
- Whole Building Design Guide
Contact Information
Pollution Prevention and Innovation Team
U.S. EPA Region 4
r4sustainability@epa.gov
Background
Conservation efforts and the green movement are gaining momentum and the media is helping spread the message. The major television channel HGTV, which is devoted to homes and gardening, has held an annual sweepstakes since 2008 in which the winner receives a dream green home along with other prizes. In 2009 the green home was built in Port Lucie, Florida and earned Platinum level LEED certification.
Project Approach
The goal of HGTV Green Home is to build an environmentally-friendly, yet aesthetically pleasing and functional home. To achieve this, the builder of the 2009 green home used a combination of cost effective and efficient building materials and typical construction methods. Modern technologies added many green features to the home, while careful site selection contributed to energy efficiency as well.
Process
The home was built on a site that allows for a balance of sun exposure and shading. Natural light is also used throughout the house by means of high windows above eye level (also known as clerestory windows) and solar tube skylights.
The construction process incorporated a variety of green efforts such as:
- interior walls containing recycled materials,
- reflective “cool roof” technology that prevents unnecessary heat gain, and
- a roof garden watered by a solar powered pump and rain-water collection system.
Electricity use was reduced through the use of a photo-voltaic system with an energy recovery unit and a solar hot water heater. Additional green elements incorporated into the home include:
- paints, sealants, and finishes with little to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
- well insulated windows and doors,
- low-flow faucets and toilets, and
- compact fluorescent lighting (CFLs) throughout the house.
For pictures of the house, visit
HGTV.com.
Benefits
There are many advantages for both the homeowner and the environment in constructing a green home. For example, using energy efficient systems with solar power and low-impact fixtures not only reduces environmental strain, but cuts power costs as well.
The HGTV sweepstakes draws public attention to the importance of green building, especially in homes. The 2009 HGTV Green Home in Florida provides viewers a real-life model that illustrates a wide range of ideas on how to green their own homes.
Contact Information
Michael Carlson, AIA, LEED APCarlson Studio Architecture
1613 Fruitville Road, Suite 1
Sarasota, FL 34236
(p) 941-362-4312
(f) 941-362-1921
www.carlsonstudio.org