Green Building Practices Helps Habitat Homeowners with Lower Bills
Energy-efficient homes means lower heating bills for our partner-families. It’s that simple, said Perry Ecton, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. “In addition, we’ve understood for several years that building green homes not only helps families, but it also sustains our communities,” said Ecton. Habitat is dedicated, Ecton said, to implementing LEED design elements in all future construction.
Of the nearly 200 homes Habitat has built, more than 100 of them are Energy Star Certified. To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict EPA guidelines for energy efficiency. Energy Star homes are 20-30% more efficient than standard homes and save our homeowners money in lower energy bills.
Habitat Dane First Habitat Affiliate in State to Receive LEED Gold Status
Habitat for Humanity of Dane County built its first two homes registered with the certification goal of LEED Gold in 2010-11. LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council. One of the homes was built in partnership with the UW-Madison Student Chapter.
The homes were completed last May and it was Habitat’s first attempt to achieve the LEED Gold standard. Only 20 homes have received LEED certification in Wisconsin and Habitat Dane is the first Habitat chapter in the state to reach this status.
Factors that help builders achieve LEED Gold certification include:
A home Habitat for Humanity of Dane County built in Stoughton in 2011 scored a 51 on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) scale. HERS is a measurement of a home's energy efficiency. The lower a home's HERS Index, the more energy efficient a home. The average HERS for Energy Star Certified home is 61. The HERS scale is from zero to 100.
Who will Benefit from a Successful Sustainable Showcase? The Ruben Banuelos and Marie de la paz Perez Family !
Ruben and Marie moved to Madison about 12 years ago. They were married in Madison and are the proud parents of Andres, 8, and twin boys Migele Edwardo and Alen R who are two years old. Ruben became a citizen in 2008 and Marie will shortly have her papers. Ruben works in Waunakee at Kerry Ingredients. They are members of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Madison.
“We are looking forward to being homeowners where we can do vegetable and flower gardening and raise our family in a stable, friendly and peaceful environment,” said Ruben. “We are glad to be part of the community and very thankful for the opportunity to own our own home, which is possible because of the kindness and helpfulness of all the volunteers and all the others who made this possible.”
Habitat ReStore Keeping Reusable Building Materials out of Landfill
In its 10 years, the Habitat ReStore has diverted nearly 10,000 tons of building materials from Dane County landfills. By selling usable materials to the general public, the Habitat ReStore has saved valuable landfill space for all county residents.
Located at 208 Cottage Grove Road in Madison, the Habitat ReStore sells building materials including wood flooring, tiles, lighting, cabinets, appliances, doors, plumbing and more. “Many businesses and home remodelers have saved hundreds if not thousands of dollars on their projects because of the Habitat ReStore,” said Jen Voichick, ReStore Director. “The ReStore is a great community resource.”
Habitat ReStore Opening Store on Westside
The Habitat ReStore will open a second store on Madison’s Westside. The store will be located at 5906 Odana Road and will open in July. Habitat ReStore Director Jen Voichick said she felt the time was right to open a Westside location. Their current Eastside location has more than double the average gross sales of stores across the country, its sales per foot are also nearly double the national average and so are its donations.
The Odana Road location is 10,000 square feet. Voichick noted that “it’s a great location at a great price.” In addition, it’s a great thrift store neighborhood, Voichick said. Currently, St. Vincent de Paul, the Pink Poodle, Comfy Chair, Odana Antiques and Rethreads are all in the area. “We have an experienced and energetic staff that loves this idea of expanding to the Westside,” said Voichick. “I think this will help our deconstruction crew expand its kitchen tear out base in Western Dane County and now even more people will experience the benefits of shopping at the Habitat ReStore.”
The hours and inventory will be the same as its current Eastside location at 208 Cottage Grove Road – Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., open Thursday until 6 p.m. The Habitat ReStore sells new and used building materials to the public at discount prices.
Energy-efficient homes means lower heating bills for our partner-families. It’s that simple, said Perry Ecton, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. “In addition, we’ve understood for several years that building green homes not only helps families, but it also sustains our communities,” said Ecton. Habitat is dedicated, Ecton said, to implementing LEED design elements in all future construction.
Of the nearly 200 homes Habitat has built, more than 100 of them are Energy Star Certified. To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict EPA guidelines for energy efficiency. Energy Star homes are 20-30% more efficient than standard homes and save our homeowners money in lower energy bills.
Habitat Dane First Habitat Affiliate in State to Receive LEED Gold Status
Habitat for Humanity of Dane County built its first two homes registered with the certification goal of LEED Gold in 2010-11. LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council. One of the homes was built in partnership with the UW-Madison Student Chapter.
The homes were completed last May and it was Habitat’s first attempt to achieve the LEED Gold standard. Only 20 homes have received LEED certification in Wisconsin and Habitat Dane is the first Habitat chapter in the state to reach this status.
Factors that help builders achieve LEED Gold certification include:
- A sustainable home site that minimize a building’s impact on ecosystems and waterways
- Water efficiency that encourages smarter use of water inside and outside the home
- Energy efficiency including the use of efficient design and construction, appliances and lighting
- Reduction of construction site waste
- Improvements in indoor air quality and increased natural daylight
A home Habitat for Humanity of Dane County built in Stoughton in 2011 scored a 51 on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) scale. HERS is a measurement of a home's energy efficiency. The lower a home's HERS Index, the more energy efficient a home. The average HERS for Energy Star Certified home is 61. The HERS scale is from zero to 100.
Who will Benefit from a Successful Sustainable Showcase? The Ruben Banuelos and Marie de la paz Perez Family !
Ruben and Marie moved to Madison about 12 years ago. They were married in Madison and are the proud parents of Andres, 8, and twin boys Migele Edwardo and Alen R who are two years old. Ruben became a citizen in 2008 and Marie will shortly have her papers. Ruben works in Waunakee at Kerry Ingredients. They are members of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Madison.
“We are looking forward to being homeowners where we can do vegetable and flower gardening and raise our family in a stable, friendly and peaceful environment,” said Ruben. “We are glad to be part of the community and very thankful for the opportunity to own our own home, which is possible because of the kindness and helpfulness of all the volunteers and all the others who made this possible.”
Habitat ReStore Keeping Reusable Building Materials out of Landfill
In its 10 years, the Habitat ReStore has diverted nearly 10,000 tons of building materials from Dane County landfills. By selling usable materials to the general public, the Habitat ReStore has saved valuable landfill space for all county residents.
Located at 208 Cottage Grove Road in Madison, the Habitat ReStore sells building materials including wood flooring, tiles, lighting, cabinets, appliances, doors, plumbing and more. “Many businesses and home remodelers have saved hundreds if not thousands of dollars on their projects because of the Habitat ReStore,” said Jen Voichick, ReStore Director. “The ReStore is a great community resource.”
Habitat ReStore Opening Store on Westside
The Habitat ReStore will open a second store on Madison’s Westside. The store will be located at 5906 Odana Road and will open in July. Habitat ReStore Director Jen Voichick said she felt the time was right to open a Westside location. Their current Eastside location has more than double the average gross sales of stores across the country, its sales per foot are also nearly double the national average and so are its donations.
The Odana Road location is 10,000 square feet. Voichick noted that “it’s a great location at a great price.” In addition, it’s a great thrift store neighborhood, Voichick said. Currently, St. Vincent de Paul, the Pink Poodle, Comfy Chair, Odana Antiques and Rethreads are all in the area. “We have an experienced and energetic staff that loves this idea of expanding to the Westside,” said Voichick. “I think this will help our deconstruction crew expand its kitchen tear out base in Western Dane County and now even more people will experience the benefits of shopping at the Habitat ReStore.”
The hours and inventory will be the same as its current Eastside location at 208 Cottage Grove Road – Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., open Thursday until 6 p.m. The Habitat ReStore sells new and used building materials to the public at discount prices.