Energy efficient homes offer lower utility bills, open the door for tax and mortgage incentives, and provide a more comfortable living environment. When simple advances are incorporated into the initial design, construction and landscaping of new homes, going green can be easy.
 
Homearama builders are building green by using products and building practices to create energy-efficient homes that minimize environmental impact while improving the homeowners’ comfort. Here are just some of the green features that you can find at Homearama 2009 in Culpepper Landing, Chesapeake, from Oct. 3-18.

House 1, The Bright Idea House, built by Simpson Builders

• Hardie Plank cement board siding
• GAF 30-year architectural style roof
• Metal seamed roof on all porches
• Tyvek wrapped exterior
• Weyerhaeuser ChoiceDek porch flooring and step treads, which is made from recycled materials
• Low-E, double-glazed window that reduce the radiant heat that enters the home
• Energy Star and NRFC certified thermal exterior doors
• Energy Star appliance
• Zoned HVAC systems with programmable thermostats
• Low-flow bath fixtures to conserve water
• Energy Star insulation

House 2, The Elizabeth, built by The Widener Corp.

• 2x6 exterior walls with R-19 insulation
• R-38 insulation blown in ceiling
• Low-E windows with insulated glass
• Energy Star appliances
• Fireplace with IntelliFire ignition, which saves energy by providing an ignition flame only when needed.
• Patio pavers to provide pervious surface for water runoff

House 11, The Whitaker, built by SGB Homes

• 2x6 interior wall with formaldehyde-free insulation
• House constructed in modules in a controlled environment
• Low-E windows
• R-19 insulation in floors and walls, R-38 in perimeter and R-41 insulation in the attic
• Zip system moisture and air barrier sheathing
• Geothermal two-zone HVAC
• Tankless water heater, heats only the water that you are using when you are using it.
• Energy Star appliances

House 12, The Green House sponsored by Virginia Living magazine, built by Stephen Alexander Homes

• Tankless hot water heater
• Blown cellulose insulation, made from recycled newspaper, penetrates odd-shaped cavities and conforms to wiring and pipes to be more energy efficient.
• Radiant barrier roofing reflects radiant heat, thus decreasing the amount of energy spent on cooling and heating the home. 
• Low-E windows
• Programmable thermostat
• Virginia Dominion Power energy management system, monitors and controls ventilation, lighting and heating systems for maximum efficiency. With the system, the homeowner agrees to a set maximum of power that they are allowed use of during peak hours and in exchange they receive a reduced utility rate. If the consumer uses too much power during that set time, the system will cut off certain elements.
• A 95-percent efficient gas furnace, which uses less gas than a typical furnace
• 14 SEER air conditioning unit downstairs and 15 SEER air conditioning unit upstairs
• Energy Star appliances

Culpepper Landing landscaping

• Elizabeth River Project Award recipient from The Elizabeth River Project for 150-acre conservation area adjacent to Culpepper Landing.
• Using pervious materials in the driveways.
• Use of organic fertilizers and native plant species in the landscaping.
• Use of corn gluten to replace chemical fertilizers when treating turf areas.
• Grounds are mowed no less than 3½ inches in height to reducing watering.
• Recycle flowers by drying the seeds, tilling and reusing them in new or existing beds, as well as splitting and transplanting the perennials throughout the property. 
• Grass clippings are spread on the bare areas around Culpepper Landing and will later be used to make compost for repairing the damaged turf areas.