Nashville goes Green

'Green' homes sprout in Nashville market
THE TENNESSEAN • May 26, 2009
For years, it's been nearly impossible to find a home for sale in Nashville certified as "green" by any of the major environmental programs in the nation. But that's changing.
Local real estate agents have added a capability to their multiple listing service that will let agents search for homes by various green features, from tankless water heaters to certifications such as Energy Star, a Department of Energy program to inspect and certify homes that are 20 percent to 30 percent more energy efficient than average.
Builders with some of Middle Tennessee highest volumes, such as Fox Ridge Homes and The Jones Co. of Tennessee, have begun building Energy Star-certified homes, expanding the inventory of such homes.
But the green features, which can add 10 percent or more to a home price, can be a tough sell to the average consumer. Agents say builders seem more interested in environmentally friendly homes than do many homebuyers.
Many people would rather have a sunroom than a solar water heater, even if they know what one is.
"There are certainly more builders with this on their radar than buyers," said Anna Altic, a real estate agent and eco-broker with Village Real Estate. "But I'm very optimistic we're going to see a real increase in demand."
Altic, who was instrumental in getting the green search function added to the local agents' listing service, said 124 Energy Star homes have been sold this year in Middle Tennessee, when the search function was added.
Only five homes with the more expensive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council have sold this year, she added.
"It's a harder sell, but every year it gets a little bit easier,'' said Jeff Middlebrooks, the owner of E3 Innovate in Nashville, which tests and rates homes for energy-efficiency certifications.
"Energy prices are only going to keep going up. Energy efficiency is going to become much more important. Five years ago, you never would have thought people would take insulation over granite countertops, but now, you're hearing that," he said.

Recycling Center will open in Spring Hill

Spring Hill recycling center opens soon
June 10, 2009
Lighten your garbage load by recycling at the new Spring Hill recycling center, which opens Monday, and is behind the Food Lion on Stephen P. Yokich Parkway.
The center will accept the following items: paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, steel cans and aluminum cans. Participants are asked to separate all items and not bring other trash or garbage.
The City of Spring Hill and Maury County teamed up, each approving $1,350 for the one-year partnership to encourage recycling by offering the site in the city's downtown.