GREEN HOMES and energy-efficient houses wouldn’t stand out in a neighborhood line-up, but their utility bills certainly would.
A Woodinville couple, emboldened by these potential savings, decided to make a major change in the way they lived.
All the windows in the green-remodeled home were equipped with argon gas-filled windowpanes, used for superior insulation.
THE WORDS "energy-efficient house" can conjure up images of futuristic, Jetson's style living or off-the-grid, geodesic domes sealed with tree sap, but the modern reality is typically indistinguishable from an ordinary house. "Green" homes and energy-efficient houses wouldn't stand out in a neighborhood line-up, but their utility bills certainly would. The use of energy-efficient practices can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings each year. A single low-flow toilet can save a family of four more than 45 gallons of water per day and an Energy Star qualified refrigerator can save around $50 a year.
One local couple, emboldened by facts like these, decided to make a major change in the way they lived. They owned a house in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Woodinville, but it no longer fit their family's needs. Luckily, they also owned a horse pasture adjacent to their home that practically begged for a makeover. Taking the plunge toward a new way of living, the family decided to build a new house on the pasture land, and have it built it with an eye toward energy-efficiency.
The couple were fans of Sarah Susanka's book, The Not So Big House, so they started there. As readers of the book will tell you, the philosophy behind The Not So Big House is not simply restricted to creating one-bedroom, cottage-style housing. Even more "American-sized" homes can benefit from the principles outlined in the series, namely maximizing square footage to its best potential; eliminating unused formal spaces in favor of every-day living rooms; creating mixed-use areas; and using high-quality, efficient materials. 
Susanka's website, www.notsobighouse.com, helpfully offers a home professionals directory comprised of those builders who embrace the Not So Big House.
Read on to learn - and see - how style and efficiency were combined! philosophy. The couple searched the directory, plugged in their requirements and settled on Master Builders Association and Built Green member, Estate Homes. Working with Estate Homes' Design/Build team, they collaborated on a plan for a new four-bedroom, energy-efficient home with clean lines and a Northwest eclectic style.
ESTATE HOMES' plan involved a multitude of energy-savvy elements seamlessly incorporated into a stylish and functional home. Energy Star appliances were installed throughout the house including the washer/dryer, dishwasher and refrigerator/freezer. Low-flow toilets took up residence in the bathrooms and the tubs and showers were fitted with pressure-reducing valves, which decrease the rate of water flow for less waste.
An energy-efficient gas fireplace was integrated into the furnace system, allowing the system to draw heat from the fireplace and disperse it throughout the house. A two-stage furnace system also provided for dual climate-control zones, allowing each floor of the home to maintain its own preferred temperature.
All the windows in the home were equipped with argon gas-filled windowpanes, used for superior insulation. Improved insulation measures were also utilized in the attic space. Rather than using standard sheets of insulation, insulation was blown into the space, which allowed it to permeate the tiniest nooks and crannies of the attic and block air flow.
On the outside of the home, mingled with the brick and cedar exterior, fluorescent light bulbs were installed in the outdoor fixtures that run on a photocell timer. This eliminated the possibility of lights accidentally being left on all the time and controlled the usage throughout the different seasons.
Nearly everything about the house was energy efficient, yet the project looked remarkably traditional and cost a relatively standard amount for a new home. The entire project took around 10 months to complete, and when it was finished the couple sold their original house and moved into their new home, ready and willing to receive their new, "not so big" utility bills.
Photos courtesy of Estate Homes
Thanks to Estate Homes for contributing their information and ideas on behalf of the Master Builders Association. For more information on the MBA, go to www.masterbuildersinfo.com.