We’re excited for the state of Missouri, which today unveiled its newest certified green home–one of just 11 such residences in the state, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
From the outside, the home near 39th and Brookridge Court looks like any other home on the block. But this is the first in Independence to meet the silver standard of certified new green homes.
The following is an excerpt from a report on Fox4KC.com:
“Builder Steve McBee says that he focused on what he calls the ‘building envelope,’ using foam, caulk and insulation to make sure the home is built tight, with little air loss.
‘What good does it do to put high efficiency in if you’re not taking care of the building envelope, the structure itself,’ said McBee. ‘So you have to seal that, make sure it’s caulked and foamed right, make sure it’s insulation package is right. That’s the biggest bang for your buck that you can get on a new home for energy conservation.’
‘Inside of the home, there’s walnut, and not oak, floors and cabinets because the walnut comes from Missouri. Green standards call for using local materials and recycled products to minimize the impact on the environment.
The home, which meets what officials call the silver standard for a certified green home and has already been sold, cost nearly $300,000. McBee says that it costs around $5,000 more to construct a certified green home, but he says that buyers will recoup that investment in energy savings.
Independence mayor Don Reimal says that these construction practices are helping to jump start the home building industry.
‘When you can have the number of houses he’s got under contract, and ones that are pending, that means people are really interested in what’s going on here today,” said Reimal. “They’re willing to come out look at it, like what they see and make the move to move into these green houses.’
See the house live on Fox4KC.com.
