Earth-Friendly
Webster Groves Home Is Model For Green Building
story
by J.B. Lester
Healthy Planet Editor & Publisher
When Janet and Ray Iggulden decided it was time to think
about retirement, they wanted to stay close to home. Instead
of a retirement villa in sunny Florida, they chose to
build an Energy Star home next door to their existing
house on Clark Avenue in Webster Groves. And what the
heck is an Energy Star home? Simply put, it is an energy
efficient, earth-friendly structure that meets certain
criteria to earn an Energy Star rating. But don't expect
to drive by and see some sort of geodesic dome or a straw
bale house. If you were looking for this eco-friendly
domicile, you would have better luck playing "Where's
Waldo."
"That's
one of the things I like best about this house and the
architect Greg Polanik," Janet Iggulden said as
she walked this reporter through her almost completed
new home. "He designs his homes to fit right into
the neighborhood. In fact, I have had a few people ask
if we are rehabbing an old traditional Webster house.
That's how well the new design fits in."
Why did the Igguldens decide on an earth-friendly house?
Janet says she has been interested in environmental
and health issues for years but most recently she found
out more about earth-friendly or "Green Building"
practices as a board member for Choose Environmental
Excellence, Gateway Region (CEE-GR). CEE-GR's main goal
is educating the public about earth stewardship and
how all of us can take "simple steps" toward
making our planet a healthier place to live.
According
to Janet Iggulden, their goal was to "build in
features that would give the home a healthy environment,
make it energy efficient and have the least impact possible
on the environment through the use of non-toxic and
sustainable building materials."
What
exactly constitutes a green architect or green building?
"There are hundreds of issues to resolve in the
design of a building, such things as function, structure,
context, building codes, zoning regulations, material
selection, detailing and cost, Greg Polanik explains.
"A Green Architect adds, as a high priority, another
layer of issues, those having to do with reducing the
environmental impact of the building. We add to the
mix such things as appropriate land use, restoration
of the ecosystem, energy efficiency, passive solar gain,
material efficiency, use of local materials, use of
renewable resources, use of recycled materials, indoor
air quality and daylighting."
The
daylighting in the Iggulden home is perhaps Janet's
favorite design element. "I just love the way the
light comes in through the windows and lights up the
house so we don't have to have the lights on during
the day - and that saves energy," she said. Janet
pointed out a unique fan feature built into the second
floor hallway wall that takes the warm air from the
higher reaches of the home and recirculates it down
through wall ducts to the lower floor. "You are
saving energy by recirculating this warm air because
you are not having to use more energy to create new
warm air," she explained.
The
Iggulden Energy Star home comes complete with many Energy
Star appliances and furnace. These appliances adhere
to an energy savings standard set up by the Energy Star
program instituted by the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA).
Another
feature of the Iggulden home is the wheelchair accessibility.
"We wanted this home to be built so we could "age
in place" during our retirement," Janet said.
One of the biggest aspects to an earth-friendly or "Green"
home is of course it's overall energy efficiency. The
Iggulden home has increased insulation in the form of
blown cellulose (made from recycled newspaper) which
seals the walls and reduces infiltration. The attic
has R-38 cellulose insulation. Energy Star rated windows
and doors are a must and an Energy Star inspector is
used to assure the house is designed and built to proper
standards. "We have been told an Energy Star home
should cut the utilities bills in half," Janet
said wth a smile.
And
who builds the house? You have a "Green" architect,
a "Green" homeowner and it seems only natural
that you need a "Green" builder. That's where
Jay Jarvis of RESAC Corporation comes in. How did he
get into Green building and what makes him so committed
to this growing industry?
"Initially,
I focused on building techniques to make living environments
more energy efficient," Jarvis explained. "I
broadened my methodology, exploring materials and techniques
in construction to promote "sustainability".
This concept incorporates four basic goals. They involve
the challenge to improve the Health, Durability, Efficiency,
and Comfort in our living spaces. Some other benefits
for homeowners are lower monthly costs, improved resale,a
quieter environment, and lower maintenance. A "Green
Builder" attempts to achieve these goals by attention
to the small details in construction, and by finding
ways to reduce pollution and the waste of natural resources."
Obviously
the Igguldens have made this commitment to finding the
small details in the construction of their new "green"
home. The carpeting used is low-emission which helps
reduce indoor contaminants. A central vacuum system
removes dust from the house rather than recirculating
it. Earth-friendly low-VOC paint was used to reduce
ground level ozone. Linoleum flooring was used because
it is produced from renewable resources. Engineered
lumber floor joists, beams and headers were used to
eliminate the use of old growth lumber. The home's siding
is made from fibercement which will not need to be replaced
in a few years. (Building things that last longer is
a sustainable practice, since fewer structures will
have to be torn down creating more construction waste
that all too often ends up in area landfills.)
Even
the Iggulden's landscaping will be eco-friendly with
the help of landscape architect John O. Bell, ASLA.
The yard will use plants that adapt to the local climate
without irrigation or use of chemicals. This will help
create healthier plants that will have to be replaced
less often and a healthier outdoor environment for family,
pets and neighbors.
The list of sustainable and green building practices
just goes on and on. These are just a few of the many
elements that make a house a "green home."
The Igguldens want everyone to know that you do not
have to have a superior knowledge of green building
or sustainable practices to build a new green home or
even rehab the home you now have.
"We
suggest people call the Green Building Council and the
Gateway Center for Energy Efficiency to find out more
about how you can get started," Janet said.
Jay Jarvis sees "Green Building" as something
whose time has come."There is a growing awareness
of 'Green Building' and I foresee a gradual incorporation
of these concepts in all homes in the future,"
Jarvis said. "People will want to have a commitment
to a better environment, the future, and improving the
way we live."
As
for the Igguldens of Webster Groves - their commitment
is as big as the house they live in!
For
more information on Green Building and energy efficiency
please contact: Missouri Botanical Garden's Gateway
Center for Resource Efficiency, 3617 Grandel Square,
St. Louis, MO 63108, or the U.S. Green Building Council
St. Louis Regional Chapter, both can be reached by calling
314-577-0220. You can also reach green builder Jay Jarvis
at 314-440-4482, green architect Greg Polanik at 314-726-0540,
green landscaper John O. Bell at 314-843-1299 and Energy
Star rating professional Ed Fieser at 636-343-6410.
Also you can go online to www.energystar.gov
for more information on Energy Star
