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March 19, 2004
Press |
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March 19, 2004 |
For Media Information: |
Built Green Idea Home Brimming with Easy Ways to Make Homes Healthier for Families and the EnvironmentPuget Sound Energy Built Green Idea Home at Issaquah Highlands Weekends Through April 11 - Admission FREE(Issaquah, Wash.) - Since the Puget Sound Energy Built Green Idea Home made its debut in mid-February, over 4,000 King County residents have visited to learn ways to make their homes healthier for their families and more environmentally friendly. From paints and finishes, to carpeting and ventilation, "green" ideas abound for keeping the air quality in our homes cleaner and safer to breathe. Highlights of some of the ideas included in the Built Green Idea Home designed to improve the health of our homes include: Heat Recovery Ventilation - The EPA says that indoor air is 3 to 5 times more polluted than outside air. In older, drafty homes, fresh air seeps in haphazardly just as heated air escapes to the great outdoors. In the Idea Home, the entire ventilation process is centrally controlled. A schedule of air exchanges keeps the air fresh and exhausts stale air that might carry allergens or pollutants. With a tightly built envelope, a quiet, dependable system automatically delivers fresh air where and when it is needed, and removes stale air from the home. In the process, the system transfers 80% of the heat from the exhaust air to the incoming fresh air. In summer, if the outside temperature is higher than inside, the system works in reverse, removing heat from the incoming air. Low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints - Sherwin-Williams' Harmony paints used throughout the home are low-odor during application and have very low VOCs, which are known or suspected to have negative health effects. The paint also provides a durable, washable, anti-microbial surface. Wool carpets - Featured in the master bedroom, wool carpeting does not release chemicals and comes from renewable resources. Wool is also more durable than synthetics, so it will last and look better longer. Garage Exhaust Fan - Car exhaust can be both unpleasant and downright dangerous. In this home, a special ventilation fan is wired to the garage door on a timer to remove car exhaust and other pollutants (from stored paint, glue and other chemicals) every time the garage door is opened. In addition, garage air is sealed from the main home. The Built Green Idea Home is located in Issaquah Highlands. Issaquah Highlands is the first Built Green™ certified community in the Puget Sound area and requires all of its builders to build to the highest level of the program. Many of the same features found in the Built Green Idea Home are also included in other homes for sale at Issaquah Highlands. About the Idea Home The Puget Sound Energy Built Green Idea Home is a hands-on showcase of simple, environmentally friendly design and product ideas. From top to bottom, inside and out, no detail has been overlooked to make this a comprehensive display of nearly 100 of the latest green building techniques. The Idea Home illustrates to homeowners and home buyers how to have a home that is healthier to live in, costs less to operate, is more durable and greatly reduces impacts on the environment. The Idea Home is a collaboration between Port Blakely Communities, Inc., the City of Issaquah, and the Master Builder Association of King and Snohomish Counties. Sponsors Include Puget Sound Energy, Bennett Homes, Mutual Materials, Whirlpool, Countrywide Home Loans, The Seattle Times Company, Fannie Mae and Windermere. The Puget Sound Energy Built Green Idea Home will be open to the public weekends through Sunday, April 11. Hours are 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. The Idea Home is located at 1789 24th Avenue NE in the Issaquah Highlands. For more information, driving directions, or further details, the public can visit the Issaquah Highlands website at
www.issaquahhighlands.com |
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