\ / \
STAIRWELL
«We wanted to
let in natural light and
also offer storage,”
Pfeiffer says of the
dining room cabinetry
along the stairwell,
which is designed to
allow light and breezes
to flow upstairs.
A
/^SITING
1 ^ / Key windows
are oriented to
capture breezes—
“the m ost effective
strategy to save on
cooling costs in an
air conditioning-
dominated climate,”
Pfeiffer says.
Build green,
save green
The notion thatgreen-built houses
cost a lot more just doesn’t add up,
says Pfeiffer. ‘They cost on average
about 5 percent more,” he says. And
ultimately, they save money on
maintenance and up to 50 percent
on utilities. So why all thefuss?
‘There’s simplya lack of knowledge
about allthe cost-effect iveoptions.”
Thankstosolid budget planning, this
house (at around $20o/squarefoot)
was built for about $50 less per
square footthan comparable,
conventional new houses in the
neighborhood.
Ann and Mike’s utility bills might
be the last word on the subject. In
south central Texas, where triple
digits are common in summer, “our
electric bill has never been higher
than $180,” says Ann. “And at the
height of winter, it might run $97.”
Changes for
your home
Tomakeanexistinghomemore
high-performance—saving both
energy and money in the longrun—
follow Pfeiffer’s tips:
■ Tradeincandescentfor
fluorescent and LED lightbulbs.
“Lightingis a huge factor in energy
consumption,” Pfeiffersays.
■ Addinsulationtoatticflooring,
and if possible, to walls.
■ Replace toilets and showerheads
with low-flow ones and upgrade
ap pliances to those that are Energy
Star-certified.
■ Repairor replace ductworkto
ensure the home is properly sealed.
■ Shade windows prone to excess
light with awnings and make sure all
windows are weathertight. inb
162
JUNE 2008 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
