1. Silver in Salem
You may associate Salem with witches, but now you'll identify it with this stunning historic renovation that also meets LEED Silver criteria. In fact, it's one of the first LEED certified National Historic Landmarks in the country. The 1811 Federal-style house boasts a colorful history, as home to the youngest-ever Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story as well as a family of Antarctic explorers. The integrity of the historic structure was maintained while incorporating high-tech features, such as a closed-loop geothermal heating and cooling system featuring seven wells at 500 deep each; radiant floor heating; spray foam insulation; new low-E windows; locally harvested marble and low-VOC paint. The homeowners admit the renovation was much more expensive than building a new green home, but they offset some expenses through federal home energy tax credits.
2. Green Addition in Georgia
This full home renovation notably included the addition of an entirely new second floor. The homeowners needed more space and ultimately decided it was more sustainable to build up rather than out. The addition more than doubled the home's size, completely changed its style and vastly improved its energy efficiency. The Earthcraft-certified renovation incorporates such energy-saving measures as a new efficient HVAC system, insulation upgrades, new windows and caulking, a water resistant barrier over the exterior sheathing and a tankless water heater. These common sense upgrades kept the project budget-friendly, running about the same as a regular renovation and resulting in lower energy costs and improved indoor air quality.
3. Developer Driven Design in Phoenix
A new light rail system in Phoenix inspired developer Philip Beere to jump on the green bandwagon. He purchased several older, foreclosed homes near Metro stations, retrofitted them to meet high sustainability standards and sold them for a profit. This 1940s home in the Pierson Place Historic District was the first remodel to achieve the highest level of certification set forth by the ANSI National Green Building Standard, Emerald. Its layout remains the same, but water and energy consumption was reduced by over 50% thanks to the installation of a new heat pump, efficient plumbing fixtures and appliances, low-E windows and GreenFiber cellulose insulation. Most of the home's green features are invisible, save for six fast-growing Mesquite trees planted around its perimeter, which will eventually shield it from the harsh desert sun.
4. Hold the Dressing: Net Zero in Colorado
Imagine a home that produces enough energy to meet—and even exceed—its needs. Probably one of the last visions that comes to mind with net zero is a 1970s era Ranch-style home in the suburbs of Boulder. However, this remodel achieved a high level of energy-efficiency thanks to extra insulation and solar panels. The contractor tacked on additional 2x4 framing to the home's exterior and sprayed polyurethane foam between. A 6kW photovoltaic array was placed on the roof, and other energy-efficient systems include an evacuated-tube solar hot water system and a 9kW modulating electric boiler. Energy-use monitoring equipment allows the owners to keep tabs, but the home is expected to produce 130% of the energy it needs.
5. Platinum in Portland
Few places promote sustainable design like Portland, and this home renovation is one fine example, garnering the highly sought-after Platinum LEED designation. A dazzling array of sustainable systems and features contribute to this status, including a tightened envelope and spray foam insulation; new windows; a closed-loop, ground source heat pump; 3 kW solar photovoltaic system; salvaged materials; FSC wood; energy-efficient appliances and water-efficient landscaping. Thirsty grass was replaced with a rain garden and other pervious materials, yet still manages to look attractive. An impressive 99% of the construction waste was recycled.