By Trent Moore

The Cullman Electric Cooperative is “putting something on the ground” to show local residents exactly what it means to be energy efficient, how it all works and what the real benefits are of going green.

The co-op, in cooperation with a wealth of local vendors and suppliers, has built the first-ever Energy Star-certified home in Cullman County. To be deemed Energy Star certified, the home must meet various power-saving and environmentally friendly government specifications.

The co-op held an open-house Saturday to showcase the Energy Efficient Show Home, as well as the methods used to build it. Co-op representative Melissa Cartee said the community turnout was exceptional.

“We’ve had a really good crowd come out today,” she said.

Cullman Electric Co-op CEO Grady Smith said he sees the Energy Efficient Show House as a stepping stone toward a better future.

“Most times when you hear about ‘energy efficient’ it is just a concept, or something that people just talk about,” he said. “Well, it needs to be more than that, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Smith said that’s where the Energy Efficient Show House comes in, as a true example of an environmentally friendly home.

“We’re putting something on the ground that people can touch and feel,” Smith said. “So they can see the benefits.”

Located just off Goldridge Road, on Oak Lane, the show home was built using the most recent in energy efficient methods, material and technologies.

The home includes “low-e” glass on the windows and doors, insulated plumbing, special cellulose insulation throughout the walls and an Air Source heat pump. Special methods were also used in the framing of the house to ensure maximum insulation.

“It’s in the insulation, the heating and air, and all of the construction methods,” Smith said.

Smith said his hope for the project is that people will truly realize the benefits of making their homes more environmentally friendly.

“I’m hoping people will see the energy efficiencies gained by building this way,” he said.

Even though it may seem more expensive in the beginning, Smith said the benefits are worth it in the end.

“The up-front costs of building may be a bit higher,” he said. “But it’s well worth it in the long run.”

The official Energy Star Web site notes the typical American household spends $1,900 a year on energy bills. By building a house that meets Energy Star specifications, a homeowner can potentially save up to 30 percent, or more than $600 per year.

To prove the point locally, Smith said the Cullman Co-op will keep up with the energy bill from the show home and compare the numbers to an average Cullman household of equal size, with the results to be published in a future issue of Alabama Living magazine, which is free for all Co-op members.

Smith said he believes if the energy efficient trend can catch on, the effects could be far-reaching not only for Cullman, but also for the nation as a whole.

“If we can do enough of these (energy efficient homes) we maybe can offset the need for a new coal plant or new nuclear plant somewhere down the line,” he said. “It’s in everyone’s best interest to do this.”

Smith said this project is not about turning a profit, so with the open house over, the home itself has been posted for sale with every Cullman realtor for $246,900 — the exact price it cost to build, plus the real estate commission.

“We’re not trying to get into the home building business,” Smith said. “But, this place is a great deal for somebody.”

More information about the national Energy Star initiative, as well as information about energy efficient products, can be found at http://www.energystar.gov.