Press

January 27, 2004

For Media Information:
Pam Perry, Parsons Public Relations
206-789-5668 or pam@parsonspr.com

Northwest's First Demonstration
Home of "Green" Ideas Set to Open Soon in Issaquah Highlands

Puget Sound Energy Built Green Idea Home February 14 - April 11

(Issaquah, Wash.) - A team of experts is in the final stages of building the Northwest's first demonstration home dedicated to the concepts of sustainable home building and living. The Puget Sound Energy Built Green Idea Home will be 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 more than 100 of the latest "green" building techniques.

The Puget Sound Energy Built Green Idea Home at Issaquah Highlands, presented by the Master Builders Association, will be open to the public weekends beginning Saturday, February 14 and running 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.

The Puget Sound Energy Built Green Idea Home will show home owners 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. Among the pioneering concepts in the Idea Home: a heating and ventilation system that is completely computer controlled, sensing when and where heat or fresh air is needed and delivering it on the spot; an on-demand, tankless hot water system that provides water for domestic use and for draft-free room heating; and an innovative dual flush toilet. In addition, indoor air quality is enhanced through controlled ventilation and the use of advanced no- and low-VOC finishes, paints and flooring materials.

The "green" ideas aren't limited to indoors: rain barrels capture water from gutters and use it for irrigation; water-wise landscape design, including creative use of Northwest native plants, reduces water use and are easy to care for; a "green roof," specially designed as a roof garden with colorful planters, is irrigated with roof run-off while collecting additional water for rain barrels.

Designed by Mithun Architects and built by Bennett Homes, the Puget Sound Energy Built Green Idea Home will showcase the practical side of environmentally friendly building techniques. This home has been built to exceed the highest Built Green rating, yet only has a premium less than 5% of total construction cost.

"Built Green homes make sense for our region and the planet," says Jerry Henry, Senior Vice President of Energy Efficiency and Customer Service for Puget Sound Energy. "Built Green homes use an impressive 20% less energy and water than required by the already ambitious Washington State energy code! We're excited to have this opportunity to show the public that these homes are practical, comfortable and affordable."

Built Green™ is a certification program created by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties to encourage home builders and developers to create a new level of "sustainable" building and development. Built Green™ homes are designed to provide homeowners with comfortable, durable, environmentally friendly homes that are cost-effective to own and operate.

The Puget Sound Energy Built Green Idea Home is 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, Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, Bennett Homes, Mutual Materials, Whirlpool, Countrywide Home Loans, Fannie Mae, Windermere, and the Seattle Times.

For more information, driving directions, or further details, the public can visit the Issaquah Highlands website at www.issaquahhighlands.com
or call 425-427-8736.