CNN iReport

MALTA, IL, NOVEMBER 18, 2008:  Green Earth Energy Homes is happy to announce that the first model “green” home in Malta, IL has passed the first LEED® inspection and has applied to be LEED certified. The company’s goal is to become the first home in Illinois certified at the very demanding LEED gold level. Actual certification is preliminary and must be approved over the next few weeks before official certification is awarded. The home is also applying to be Energy Star certified as well.

The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. The system is rigorous and involves earning points in eight categories relating to the design, building materials, energy efficiency, water conservation, and consumer education elements of the green home building project. The resulting home is extremely energy efficient.

Green Earth Energy Homes partners started planning the green home building process and energy efficient features in 2006 and started construction on the green model home in Malta in September, 2008. The home has redesigned in-floor radiant heating, geo-thermal air conditioning with fresh air intake, and very energy efficient doors, windows, and appliances. New techniques in applying insulation result in a high “R” value and a high level of performance. A high-output, energy efficient water heater heats the water for the in-floor heating, and domestic hot water supply. The home also has solar panels with a two way meter, allowing excess electricity to be purchased by the electric company.

All this adds up to large potential energy savings for the homeowner, cutting monthly utility bills by hundreds or thousands annually, depending on the homeowner’s usage habits.

The high energy efficiency and excellent indoor environmental quality is just the beginning. Green Earth Energy Homes partners are quick to point out that the home looks and generally operates like any other home. No special knowledge of how the systems work is necessary to operate or maintain the home. The three bedroom, 2 bath ranch home will have beautiful stained concrete floors, energy saving ceiling fans, semi-custom cabinets, energy star rated appliances, and a 2 car heated garage.

Green Earth Energy Homes partners will be providing a number of informational and educational sessions on green home construction and planning. For example, Joliet Junior College (Joliet, IL; jjc.edu) will be providing a session on green homes on February 7, 2009. See Joliet Junior College’s community education catalog for more information. Other open houses and educational sessions are in the planning stages.

Contact the partners for Green Earth Energy Homes for more information about the green model home in Malta or to schedule a presentation to your club, board, or municipality. The website is at GreenEarthEnergyHomes.com or call 630-730-8592.