A LEED Platinum Home for $159,000?
When it comes to green building, small is not only beautiful, but often the key to affordability. But will Americans accustomed to mega-homes make the leap to a snug abode, offering relief to both their pocketbooks and the environment? With its new C6.2 model, greenfab manufacturers Living Homes of Santa Monica, Calif., aims to find out.
The two-bedroom, two-bath, 1100-square-foot C6.2 was designed to achieve LEED Platinum status from the U.S. Green Building Council. Built by Cavco, it’s available in most states for a basic cost of $159,500 ($145/square foot) — and for a simple, flat site, foundation, transportation and installation costs, you can factor in another $30,000-40,000. All told, the total cost of the home skates in under $200,000.
Oh, and if you’re in a hurry to have a home of your own, not to worry: the C6.2 is constructed in the factory in less than two months and installed on the site of your choice in one day.
Green features of the C6.2 include energy-efficient lighting and appliances, a smart heating/AC control system, recycled and Cradle to Cradle-inspired materials, low-flow water fixtures, a gray-water-ready plumbing setup and VOC-free millwork and finishes. The home offers real-time feedback on the household’s energy usage, and carbon offsets are included in the home’s purchase price to counter the energy used in creating the home.
More information on the C6.2 and its various configurations is available online.
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Gregory Korthase
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http://www.facebook.com/people/Susan-DeFreitas/729439092 Susan DeFreitas
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