You may think you need to spend big bucks to have a green home. But, that's not the case in one metro community. Crews started planning an affordable green home about three years ago in the city of West Des Moines. It's also a teaching tool.
West Des Moines Planner Linda Schemmel says the the three bedroom one bath on Maple Street isn't just any home. She says it's called the West Des Moines Affordable Green Demonstration Home. You'll find it in Historic Valley Junction.
Schemmel says the city worked with builder Home Inc and the Center on Sustainable Communities to build the project in an low to moderate income neighborhood for people to learn about the process.
Lynnae Hentzen with the Center on Sustainable Communities says, "When you can actually come and see them and touch them and see how it all comes together in a home it really brings it home. And, you can realize this isn't so tough, maybe I can incorporate a few elements into my own home."
Schemmel says the home includes elements like natural linoleum flooring, energy efficient appliances and double hung windows to cut down on the need for lights and air conditioning. She says, "With the double hung window, you can open the top and the bottom and get a natural convection current. So, you can cool your home naturally."
Not all the green elements are for energy efficiency. Some are to make the home healthier. The walls are painted with low VOC paint to improve indoor air quality.
Schemmel says, "The cabinets themselves are made out of sustainable wood. The cabinet backs, which typically are plywood or some type of particle board are made with a glue that doesn't have formaldehyde in it, again for indoor air quality."
Hentzen says, "The healthy environment within the home by not using toxic materials, by having good ventilation, those are so essential to the health of your family, and that's a big part of this home."
You can see the home at an open house Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. The address is 927 Maple Street in West Des Moines. The home is also for sale. It's listed at $110,000, but there are income qualifications. You must only make 80% of the median income.
West Des Moines Planner Linda Schemmel says the the three bedroom one bath on Maple Street isn't just any home. She says it's called the West Des Moines Affordable Green Demonstration Home. You'll find it in Historic Valley Junction.
Schemmel says the city worked with builder Home Inc and the Center on Sustainable Communities to build the project in an low to moderate income neighborhood for people to learn about the process.
Lynnae Hentzen with the Center on Sustainable Communities says, "When you can actually come and see them and touch them and see how it all comes together in a home it really brings it home. And, you can realize this isn't so tough, maybe I can incorporate a few elements into my own home."
Schemmel says the home includes elements like natural linoleum flooring, energy efficient appliances and double hung windows to cut down on the need for lights and air conditioning. She says, "With the double hung window, you can open the top and the bottom and get a natural convection current. So, you can cool your home naturally."
Not all the green elements are for energy efficiency. Some are to make the home healthier. The walls are painted with low VOC paint to improve indoor air quality.
Schemmel says, "The cabinets themselves are made out of sustainable wood. The cabinet backs, which typically are plywood or some type of particle board are made with a glue that doesn't have formaldehyde in it, again for indoor air quality."
Hentzen says, "The healthy environment within the home by not using toxic materials, by having good ventilation, those are so essential to the health of your family, and that's a big part of this home."
You can see the home at an open house Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. The address is 927 Maple Street in West Des Moines. The home is also for sale. It's listed at $110,000, but there are income qualifications. You must only make 80% of the median income.
