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Throughout the season, Adrian Grenier and the crew of Alter Eco has shown viewers how to be hip and green at the same time. Now, with the help of Byrd Development, they can display their ultimate achievement: the house in Los Feliz, California, has received LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
In renovating the Los Feliz house, the goal was to blend style and function with the latest in green technology and building techniques. Rick Byrd, CEO of Byrd Developments, explained that "On the surface it's exactly what you expect to see in a traditional home, but the energy bills happen to be only $50 a month. We want to show people that you don't have to compromise the integrity of the house to be environmentally friendly and healthy." This accomplishment was rewarded with the USGBC's highest rating, making the Los Feliz house the first deconstructed house in California, and only the second in the state, to receive this honor.
Some of the innovations that led to the LEED Platinum certification include the recycling or reuse of 96.8 percent of construction debris, a rainwater collection system that uses 50 percent of the rainwater that hits the house's roof, the use of lumber from the Forest Stewardship Council, and the capability of producing more than 5 kilowatts from a solar power system.
Don't miss the exciting final episode of Alter Eco to get all the details behind this incredible house.
Learn more about eco-friendly homes and renovations on the Planet Green Home and Garden blog!
Want more Alter Eco action? Check out the online slideshow part one and part two.
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