One family's continued dedication to the environment and recent changes in national building practices make EcoManor a reality.
EcoManor story page 2
But living “green” and promoting the ecology through various programs was not enough for the Seydels. While they did what they could to “walk the talk” by using recycled or bio-degradable products and monitoring their energy and utility bills, the rising costs of fuel and various energy and water shortages kept them questioning, “What more can we do for our home?”
The single biggest inspiration for EcoManor occurred during a 1994 vacation to Colorado and trip to the Rocky Mountain Institute; a non-profit organization guided by core principles of energy, buildings and land, businesses; climate transportation and water. Amazed at the Institute’s energy efficiencies and the documented impact green building could make to the environment, Laura and Rutherford began to research building options for their own eco-home.
The formation of The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1993 and program introductions by the Council have made the Seydel’s green residence vision a reality. The USGBC is the nation’s leading nonprofit coalition for advancing buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating SystemsTM for New Construction is one of the Council’s many programs.
LEED certification is reserved only for those projects and builders who adhere to the ultimate standards of environmental responsibility. The certification is based on a checklist of environmental factors in six categories including: sustainable sites; energy and atmosphere; water efficiency; materials and resources; indoor environmental quality; and innovation and design process. LEED for Homes program is a rating system established to define "green building" and ultimately transform mainstream residential building towards more eco-friendly practices. The program offers a much-needed tool for homebuilders, homeowners, vendors, and local governments for building environmentally sound, healthy, and resource-efficient places to live.
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But living “green” and promoting the ecology through various programs was not enough for the Seydels. While they did what they could to “walk the talk” by using recycled or bio-degradable products and monitoring their energy and utility bills, the rising costs of fuel and various energy and water shortages kept them questioning, “What more can we do for our home?”
The single biggest inspiration for EcoManor occurred during a 1994 vacation to Colorado and trip to the Rocky Mountain Institute; a non-profit organization guided by core principles of energy, buildings and land, businesses; climate transportation and water. Amazed at the Institute’s energy efficiencies and the documented impact green building could make to the environment, Laura and Rutherford began to research building options for their own eco-home.
The formation of The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1993 and program introductions by the Council have made the Seydel’s green residence vision a reality. The USGBC is the nation’s leading nonprofit coalition for advancing buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating SystemsTM for New Construction is one of the Council’s many programs.
LEED certification is reserved only for those projects and builders who adhere to the ultimate standards of environmental responsibility. The certification is based on a checklist of environmental factors in six categories including: sustainable sites; energy and atmosphere; water efficiency; materials and resources; indoor environmental quality; and innovation and design process. LEED for Homes program is a rating system established to define "green building" and ultimately transform mainstream residential building towards more eco-friendly practices. The program offers a much-needed tool for homebuilders, homeowners, vendors, and local governments for building environmentally sound, healthy, and resource-efficient places to live.
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