ATLANTIC BEACH, FL -- Homeowners everywhere are searching for ways to 'go green' and conserve energy. A family in Atlantic Beach is taking their older home and turning it totally green.
Sarah Boren says they first decided to remodel their 1950's home when they had a second child on the way. "We were expecting a baby so we wanted to add on but we wanted to do it right."
They took their 2-bedroom one-bath beach cottage and turned it into a 3-bedroom home with much more space. The home is still far from being completed but the Borens put a lot of thought in remodeling the home to be green. "The things that come to mind when it comes to green is being environmentally responsible with energy efficiency and water efficiency but also a big part of it was health."
The Borens hired Eric Kindseth, a green building consultant, to help make their home as energy efficient and water efficient as possible.
Kindseth says, "We took a 1950's era home and we are retro-fitting it with a high performance air conditioning system, high performance building envelope, changing the framing as much as possible."
They're also using solar hot water, a metal reflective roof, and new windows. Boren says, "I definitely think green buildings will become the norm because you get a high quality performing house and you get a healthy, durable home, and it's more comfortable and cost effective."
You don't have to totally renovate your home like the Borens to be more green. Kindseth says, "You can replace your HV AC system or you can add re-circulation water pumps to save energy and hot water."
Just several more ways homes are going green.
JEA plans to hold a green remodeling class for builders October 23rd. They will also have a class for people wanting to restore their home green in November.
For more information on building a green home go to www.floridagreenbuilding.org.
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