EcoManor: Green Building, Practices, and Decorating
Posted by lindseyshoe
Ted Turner, CNN founder and philanthropist, may be more often in the spot light but Turner’s daughter, Laura Turner Seydel and her husband Rutherford, have committed to live under “green” lights.
Ted Turner, CNN founder and philanthropist, may be more often in the spot light but Turner’s daughter, Laura Turner Seydel and her husband Rutherford, have committed to live under “green” lights. Rutherford Seydel, a member of the Ecology Club in high school recognized early on the eco-challenges in hometown of Atlanta. Laura Turner Seydel had been exposed to ecological tragedy around the world. The couple had committed to do their part to live greener lives.
On a vacation to Colorado the couple visited the Rocky Mountain Institute, a non-profit organization guided by green core principles on energy, buildings and land, climate transportation and water. The two green activists were amazed by the Institute’s energy efficiencies and began researching eco-friendly building options for their own energy saving home.
The culmination of their commitment and inspiration resulted in EcoManor. EcoManor is the couple’s private home but also serves as a model to demonstrate green possibilities to builders, architects, designers, landscapers, vendors, educator and families. EcoManor is the first house to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the National Wildlife Federation’s Backyard Wildlife Habitat program and the Greater Atlanta Home Builder’s Association’s EarthCraft House program.
“Ultimately, our goal is a livable world for future generations,” shares Rutherford, and “EcoManor is an example of how green living can be possible.”
What Makes EcoManor a “Green” House?
Many of the green features of EcoManor can incorporated into new construction or remodels or home improvements projects for existing homes.
EcoManor incorporates:
*Organic or low VOC (volatile organic compound) stains, paints and sealants (Visit Organic Gas that Isn’t Good for You: Organic Gas and VOC Paint)
*Soy based insulation, foam and cellulose insulation. For more information on this topic visit, “All Insulations are Not Created Equal”
*Properly sized heating and air systems using HEPA filters
*Wood floors from local sources that are environmentally certified
*Solar tubes (Are Solar Tubes Right for You?) and skylights that offer natural light and energy savings
*Dimmable, compact fluorescent lights save energy and reduce heat radiance
*Solar Panels (Photovoltaic Solar Panels: Save Energy and Money at Home or Away) to provide the home’s electricity.
*Tankless water heaters save energy and offer instant hot water
What Makes EcoManor a “Green” Home?
While many of the eco-friendly features of EcoManor were built into the home, there are also many on-going green practices used in daily living because just like your own, EcoManor isn’t just a house but a home.
Green Practices:
*Green household cleaning products (Recipes for Whole House Cleaning Success: Natural and Environmentally Friendly) and natural bathroom and laundry soaps prevent air and water contamination.
*Buying furniture and rugs made from natural fibers for healthier air. (Beautiful, Environmentally Friendly Flooring Options )
*Decorating with recycled and recyclable materials and items.
Green from the Inside Out
The green features of EcoManor provide a eco-friendly circle from inside and out of the house. Rain water is collected and channeled to supply the water for the home’s dual flush and low flow toilets. Meanwhile grey water (Grey Can be Good: Water that Is) is collected from sinks and showers to be used to maintain landscaping. In addition, native and drought tolerant landscaping is used to save the supply.
Laura Turner Seydel wants home-owners and home builders to know that, “besides being a super efficient and healthy home, a green home can be aesthetically pleasing beyond your imagination,” and “your home can also be affordable. With the rising costs of fuel, a green home makes sense.”
2 Responses to “EcoManor: Green Building, Practices, and Decorating”
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Jared Brown says:
‘EcoManor’ = 6000+ Sq Ft Green Home = Oxymoron
Not too impressed with someone using energy to encapsulate 5800 sq ft for one family no matter how green in the rockies.