Go Green
15 ways
an Austin, Texas, family
saves money, time, and energy in
a new house that’s environmentally
friendly inside and out.
You might never guess that this attractive home is so hardworking. It’s
built from durable materials; it enlists nature to help heat and cool it; and
it’s supremely energy efficient, garneringthe highest rating a green-built
house can have. Best yet, “it's not weird,” says owner Ann Phipps.
She and her husband, Mike Cannatti, are environmentally minded:
They and their three children are dedicated recyclers and save gas by
riding bikes to run errands; Mike takes his motor scooter to work 10 miles
away. But Ann chalks up their desire for a sustainable lifestyle to one
word: “Laziness.”
“We’d rather spend time with each other instead of taking care of the
house and spending money on things we don’t have to,” she says. “Our
siding’s paint will last 10 years or more. Our air conditioning system
needs a filter only every year and a half.” And their electricity bill averages
just $70 a month. “We actually smile when we pay our bills now,” she says.
The architect of this home, Peter Pfeiffer, is of the same mind. “Those of
us who grew up in the horn of plenty have forgotten the art of good
thrift,” he says. “Green building is about just that.”
1
LOCATION
It all starts with
where you live. To
save gas (and tim e),
Ann,
above,
and Mike
chose infill property
in a neighborhood
that’s conveniently
close to their bank,
grocery store, and
children’s school.
2
STONE
Limestone,
used to face parts of
the home’s exterior,
is inexpensive and
plentiful in Austin. “It
requires less energy
to produce than a
material like brick,”
says Peter Pfeiffer.
3
SIDING
AND TRIM
Fiber-cem ent siding
and com posite wood
trim (recycled from
milk jugs and wood
chips) resist hail, fire,
rot, and insects.
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY
DEN ISE GEE
PHOTOS
EDMUND BARR
STYLING
MICHAEL WALTERS
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS JUNE 2008
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