Green and Lean
An endless list of amenities is available to people who want to build green homes—everything from sustainably harvested wood flooring to recycled tiles. Here’s what one conscientious couple, Kent and Kathy Lawrence, chose for their new residence.
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Trombe Wall
The house is designed around a trombe wall, a masonry structure that stores the sun’s heat from south-facing windows in the winter, releasing it throughout the living space. Shades and eaves keep it from heating up in summer. The low-tech—and ancient—concept added to the cost of the residence and required special building expertise from architect Thom Greene and builder Rick McCanse.
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Bamboo Flooring
The floor is made of bamboo—one of the fastest-growing and sustainable plants in the world—harvested by independent farmers in China’s Zhejiang province. Although more expensive and difficult to find, the flooring helps save old-growth forests.
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Air-Filtering System
A sophisticated air-filtration system not only removes 94 percent of unwanted particles of dust and pollen but also includes a fresh-air exchanger, which recaptures interior heat and moisture while improving indoor air quality.
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Solar System
Rick McCanse estimates that “76 percent of the home’s heat is self-supplied,’’ coming from a combination of passive solar retention and thermal heat in the earth.
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Wind Turbine
Situated on a hill as you approach the house, the windmill produces more than 13,000 kilowatt hours a year. It cost $37,100 but will save the Lawrences more than $22,000 after 15 years, though it will take 23 years for them to recoup their investment.
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Roof and Gutters
Generally, green materials are more durable. The copper gutters and cement-board siding will endure the Midwestern elements—they have an estimated life span of 100 years.
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Native Flora
The Lawrences have been removing invasive species and planting native flowers in their place.
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