Design that comes Naturally

Imagine spending an evening sitting on a porch by the shores of Lake Norman. The crickets are chirping as the sun sets and a soft breeze blows. This serenity draws many Charlotte area residents to call the place home.

One of those residents is Joe Nemechek. When he was looking for the place to build his family’s dream home, Lake Norman was a perfect fit. “I grew up with a love for nature and the outdoors,” he says. Because of his appreciation for it, Nemechek wanted to make sure he was part of preserving it.

The trend to “go green” has been catching on in the last few years according to veteran residential design specialist and green building consultant Jenny Pippin of Pippin Home Designs, Inc. “When I started in this business in the mid-1980s, I had few clients who were interested in this idea for their homes,” she recalls. “Recently I’ve started to see the trend emerge
with clients asking for some type of energy efficient or green project.”

Pippin credits the movement to increased media attention and rising fuel costs. “With all the publicity, intelligent consumers started to get on board with the idea. I’m excited to be asked to create these homes, instead trying to persuade people to do it.” Ahead of the trend, Nemechek has worked with Pippin on his last two homes. “Anything we can help to do to preserve nature is good for me and for everyone else,” he says.

One of the benefits to green building is decreased monthly maintenance costs—even mortgage companies are starting to recognize it, according to Pippin. “Most people aren’t aware they can increase their borrowing power by taking advantage of an ‘energy efficient mortgage,’” she says.

Although the upfront cost can be a bit higher to build green, in the long run, her clients save. Pippin recommends, “the first place clients can save is by using better quality windows and insulation in order to seal their house. The other important area is by having a heating and air conditioning system specifically designed for their home that meets the requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).”

From simply converting to compact florescent lightbulbs to upgrading to water efficient appliances, Pippin makes the point that “there are many shades of green. For many people, it’s the right thing for themselves and the environment.”

Contact Pippin Home Designs, Inc. by calling 704-895-0000 or visit PippinHomeDesigns.com.