Green Living
Living Green
Style, character and sophistication are all part of the equation when it comes to the design and construction of this stylish home built by Sage Homebuilders of St. Louis.
BY
Irene Steffens
PHOTOGRAPHY
courtesy Sage Homebuilders

A leader in green custom home building, Sage Homebuilders offers high performance, energy-efficient, sustainable homes without sacrificing design. Throughout the process, green design and products interact to create a home that is energy-efficient, offering a more functional, easily maintained living environment. Open, free-flowing rooms allow natural light to permeate the spaces, and small alcoves provide a sense of privacy.



one. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), two structural wood panels sandwiching a thick plastic layer of foam, rather than traditional stick framing, provide strong, lightweight, and energy-efficient structural walls, reducing construction time and job-site waste.

two. Energy Star qualified lighting and fixtures supply bright, warm light using 75 percent less energy and distribute light evenly and efficiently, lasting up to 10 times longer than standard lighting.

three. Energy Star ceiling fan and light combination is 50 percent more efficient than conventional units, offering annual savings on utility bills, and can reduce the need for air conditioning and heating through proper use.

four. Energy Star doors use core materials such as fiberglass and wood cladding, offering greater energy efficiency and keeping your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter. New doorframes also include a magnetic strip that creates a tighter seal, reducing air leakage.

five. Programmable thermostats automatically adjust temperatures in the home during the day or night, saving heating and cooling costs. Setting the temperature back 10 degrees for eight hours every night saves approximately 10 percent on heating bills.

six. Tankless water heater provides hot water at a preset temperature when needed without storage, reducing or eliminating standby losses, and reducing your water-heating bill by 10 to 20 percent.

seven. PEX plumbing is a superior plumbing system using multiple feed lines through the house, allowing hot water to arrive quickly at sinks and showers, resulting in significant water efficiency and energy savings.
 
eight. Using Certified Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) wood for the floor structure guarantees the future of the forest, conserving natural woodlands and promoting long-term responsible forest management.

nine. Energy Star windows may have two or more panes of glass, improved framing materials and Low-E coating, helping keep heat in during winter and out during summer.

ten. Blown-in cellulose insulation, Fiber-Lite, uses 100 percent natural, organic wood fibers, treated with boric acid, a fire retardant. This insulation prevents outside air penetration, resists insects, and offers efficient noise reduction.

eleven. Strand woven bamboo floors. Bamboo is not only a renewable resource; the Bamboo leaf releases 35 percent more oxygen than a comparable cluster of hardwood trees.