Leading the Green Revolution in DFW

It is exciting to know that local builders have truly taken the lead of the green revolution in the construction of ultra energy efficient homes in our own backyard!

I visited the Bardin House in Grapevine recently being completed by green builders Jim Sargent and Vickie Anderson of AndersonSargent Custom Homes, builders of the Zero Energy House Dallas that attracted national attention.  There’s a few things we can learn about this great house and I wanted to share them with you.

One thing you will hear Jim Sargent mention during his educational seminars is that in hot climates, like Texas, the roof is of greater concern than the walls.  This is why his homes are distinguished, in part, because of their low-pitch roofs.  The benefit of a low-pitch roof is that they protect the windows from the sun by having longer roof overhangs.

A second benefit of a low-pitch roof is that it costs a lot less to condition the attic with an open cell foam insulation, which offers the most efficient form of air tightness for the house.  The higher the roof pitch, the larger the space that needs to be conditioned.  A very well sealed home will not be drafty.  An airtight home contributes to the comfort of the occupants so that they can enjoy even temperatures throughout the house (and hopefully share their joy with others so you can get more referrals

What I love about AndersonSargent’s approach is their focus on educating the consumers.  They educate people on why they do the things they do.  And, let me tell you, they stick to their guns when they say that they are a “green builder”!

They have turned down projects whose owners would not follow their high standards and focus on energy efficiency.  Makes sense to me!

Their focus on harnessing the power from natural resources from the sun and rainwater is commendable.  The photovoltaic systems and solar panels installed in their homes provide the energy needed to heat and cool the home.  The rainwater collector systems provide water to mow the lawn, or even supply potable water and all the home’s water needs.

A major distinction of green builders is that they educate homebuyers on the importance of proper home design based on the environment the house will be built and its micro-location of the house.

With proper home orientation in mind, the home can be designed to take advantage of passive solar techniques that cut costs on certain windows of the house that do not need to be highly efficient because of their location as it relates to its contact with the sun.

Green building is NOT about getting materials off the shelf just because they have a good label, and hope that everything will function.  Green building is about having a whole-house systems approach from the design, to the materials and to the building practices used to build a home that will last, is energy-efficient, is comfortable to its owners and it is good for the environment.

A whole-house systems approach also takes into account the lifestyle and personal needs of the homeowners.  Learning details from your clients about their health plays an important role in designing the home and choosing materials that will promote a healthier indoor environment for the homeowners.

Windows placed in strategic locations of the house allow natural daylight and natural ventilation benefits, and gives the homeowners the chance to connect with the outdoors, which is proven to improve a person’s health and productivity.  Now that’s pretty cool!

Just one other little (but huge) detail! Ladies who love order, will love the extensive drawers available in the master closet of AndersonSargent’s homes.  This eliminates the need for expensive furniture, and helps to declutter your master suite!  Neat idea!

There you have it!  These are just a few of the things you should consider as you refine your product, steer your building practices using a whole-house systems approach, and use  more eco-friendly choices that are good for the people and the environment, and yes, your reputation as a true green builder.

Let me know how this helped you!

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