Great Lakes Green Pages

I love that we bought our building in Ward 17. Everywhere we go in the area, we meet concerned citizens, residents that are getting involved, and public figures who are working hard to make a difference. Yesterday, we were taking part in the Eco Village Clean Up Day. Residents of the Eco Village neighborhood just got together to clean their own streets. How often do you see that? I can barely keep up with the garbage that rolls up into my own yard. When average citizens get involved, it means that they are taking pride in their block. That is how we make a difference. When people take the time to work on their own street, they learn to respect their neighbors-that means less trash on the sidewalk and in the guy next door’s yard. People who think this way, teach these ideals to the kids and we can truly make a difference on this spinning blue marble in space.

My partner, Bud, wrote about the ribbon cutting Friday at Eco Villages newest addition-the Green Cottages. I was so impressed at the turnout. Besides “greenies” like us, there were neighbors who we interested in seeing what is going on in Eco Village, and even a few builders that will hopefully take a few ideas back to their next project. I wanted to add a few of the features that make the Green Cottages special. While there are plans to build 4 more (so far) I was surprised to hear that they are all still available for sale.

Location: This is a tightly dense neighborhood that is flourishing. Besides all the cool neighbors, there is extreme accessibility. It is a short walk to shopping and dining. The Gordon Square Arts District is close by. The RTA has ample buses and there is a Rapid Station right on 61st and Madison. You can get a plot in one of the community gardens and grow your own food, or just buy them at the Gordon Square Farmer’s Market. You could probably go without a car altogether.

Stormwater Management: All the runoff will be managed on site. Rain barrels and rain gardens will help absorb the water from the building. Downspouts will not even be connected to the sewer.

Sustainable landscaping: There won’t be any grass. The landscaping will include native plants and drought tolerant species to reduce the need for watering.

Advanced Framing: These houses make use of new construction techniques. Instead of 2x4s, 2x6s were used. This allows for studs to be farther apart, thus increasing the insulation. Raised heel trusses, drywall clips, 2 stud corners and header hangers were all used to allow for less wood and more insulation to be used.

Insulation: Every possible spot that could benefit from insulation does. 12 inches of cellulose in the attic, rigid fiberglass extruded polystyrene and Spider Spray fiberglass make this a home that will never be drafty. The envelope was wrapped and sealed at every joint. Caulked seams and windows, of course. All the windows are Energy Star and will finish the sealing.

Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling: The furnace used is 96% energy efficient and has a programmable thermostat. It features a MERV 13 filter (keeps out lots of dust) and a “cool to Dehumidify” setting. A controlled ventilation system bring in air from outside, so there is just the right amount of new fresh air coming in.

Detached Garage: When a garage is detached, it is cheaper for insurance and keeps car fumes farther from the house. Things stored in garages, like oil or paint, also keep their fumes away from the living space. Just to make sure that the home is safe, there is a shoe storage entry that allows for outside contaminants to stay near the door instead of coming into the home. Carbon monoxide monitors are installed, as well as a radon vent (just in case).

Moisture Control: Water is painfully damaging to property. All the right flashing was installed and techniqes to prevent ice dams were used. There is the proper vapor barrier to keep the basement nice and dry.

Accessible: Have a wheelchair? This could be the perfect house for you! The doorways and open plan make using a chair very friendly. There is even a no step entry in the rear. Other additions could easily be installed during the build. And as you get older, it will continue to be your home, not the place you can no longer navigate.

Efficient: Appliances are Energy Star, so they use less electricity. The sight is used to take advantage of natural day lighting. Low flow fixtures use less water and the water heater is high efficiency.

Safe interior finishes: Low VOC finishes and sealants were used to keep the space free of airborne contaminants. This means that it won’t have a “new house” smell and can be moved into right away.

Built with minimal impact: There are local materials sourced throughout the home, so there was less transportation of materials. This keeps down the carbon footprint. The home is built to minimize wood waste-a problem seldom dealt with in construction. There are many elements throughout the home that have recycled content-especially the insulation.

Homeowner’s manual: This sounds kind of weird, but is an important step in making the homes efficient. Many buildings are built the right way, but since the features are not employed by the tenants, they are wasted. A manual will make these houses as efficient down the road as well as on move in, and the homeowner will know how to use all the features and equipment properly to make it the “green cottage” it was built to be.

Interested? You should be! There are ways to find out more: Call or stop by the Community Land Trust. They are at 4100 Franklin Blvd and their phone number is 216-334-1620. If you prefer the traditional route, call your favorite Realtor. My fried Roger Scheve has been showing clients this house, so he is up on its many features. Give him a call at (440) 477-1188, or email him at Rogers@REMAX.net and make your next home green-and more than just the paint.