appliances and water conservation. Dur- ing and aſter construction, independent inspectors award points for meeting Earthcraſt standards in those areas. With 100 points or more, the home earns Earth- craſt certification. For energy efficiency, Flowers makes a
house “as tight as it can be” so no air is lost through cracks and seams. He gets points toward certification if the thermal enve- lope is tighter than state law requires. He earns more points by installing toi-
The kitchen features earth-friendly cork flooring. It’s natural and re- newable, durable, cushiony soft to stand on, quiet to walk on and naturally insulating.
“It’s like coming home to a retreat,
because it’s very quiet and set back in the woods.” Glenn added. “It feels like it’s out in the country, but it’s only a few miles from the places we usually go.” When the Leggs first saw the house, they
were drawn to its style, layout and location. Ten builder Mac Flowers pointed out the
deal-sealer: the house was Earthcraſt certi- fied. Earthcraſt is a residential green build- ing program that lays out a blueprint for energy- and resource-efficient living. When a builder starts on an Earthcraſt
home, he selects the aspects most impor- tant to the project, things like indoor air quality, site planning, energy efficient
lets that use less than 1.28 gallons of water per flush and showerheads that use less than 2 gallons per minute. To improve indoor air quality, Flow-
ers uses low VOC paints, adhesives and carpets to reduce the impact of toxic or aggravating chemicals. He installs special ventilation systems to bring fresh air into the house. Another component minimizes the
building’s environmental impact. Te builder can’t burn or bury any construc- tion waste on-site. If, instead of taking debris to the landfill, he chips it and uses it to control erosion, he earns more points. Buying materials and services locally
is another way to reduce a home’s envi- ronmental impact. E&E Showrooms for Kitchen and Bath supplied the WaterSense plumbing fixtures, Builders First Source, the lumber, paint and lighting; Daniel Appliance, the appliances and Alexander Electric was the electrical contractor. Energy efficiency was key to the Leggs’
Collecting rain that runs off the roof allows the Leggs to conserve water and save money. They use the rainwater to water the lawn and gardens.
8 Columbus and the Valley April 2013
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