WBIR-TV
By Yvette Martinez
Published: December 19, 2008
Knoxville is leading the way with a new trend in making affordable and energy efficient homes. The first group of seven are in the Five Points area, but everyone involved with the project hopes the concept spreads throughout the city. Ken Block and Bruce Glanville supervised the building of the Energy Star homes.
"Very durable, very energy efficient, very attractive, they're distinctive and we know that the homeowners are going to be very proud of it when they get here," Knox Housing Partnership Construction Manager Ken Block said.
The 1,250 square-foot houses are worth an estimated $100,000. Each include several energy saving features, which meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED standards.
Glanville says the LEED features are energy, cost and even health conscious.
"The house is measured precisely in volume, based on the number of people who can live in the house. We move enough air through the house so that it's always good, clean, healthy, fresh air," Bruce Glanville, the Knoxville chapter of the United States Green Building Council member, said.
The LEED homes are heavily insulated and sealed to cut down on heating and air costs.
Both Block and Glanville say homeowners will pay about $100 a month on utility bills. Block says homeowners in other comparable houses in the Chestnut Street area pay about $250 a month in utility bills.
"They in affect get an 8 percent increase in their take home pay as a result of purchasing these houses," Block said.
Features in the LEED homes are also designed to make sure homeowners stick with the energy saving strategy.
"It's not a screw in base, it's a push in base and the idea there is you can't screw an incandescent bulb in there you can only use compact flourescent," Glanville said.
Double pane windows installed in the homes are also specifically designed for East Tennessee's climate.
New technology even cuts water use including low flow water fixtures and toilets with two types of flushes.
"We have what are called dual flush toilets. This is 0.9 gallons per flush, and and this is 1.6," Glanville said.
As new homeowners move in, city officials hope energy conservation will catch on.
"Responsible building and then invite responsible living," Block said.
The homes will be offered to homebuyers of all economic levels, but financial help will be available for low income families.
Five of the LEED houses are located on Chestnut Street, and two others are on Houston Street.
The five Knoxville affordable LEED homes are among the first in the state and the country.
Knox Housing Partnership built the houses using Empowerment Zone funds provided by HUD.
The Knoxville chapter of the United States Green Building Council USGBC plans to provide instruction to other builders in the area about LEED and Energy Star requirements.
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