Students create energy efficient green home

by Kristin Nelson
Fox8


May 5, 2011

LEXINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) - Davidson County Community College students just installed state-of-the-art, energy efficient heating and air equipment in the college's new "Green Home" located on Old Greensboro Road across from the Davidson Campus.

When finished the home will house international students who spend the academic year studying at DCCC.

Owned by the DCCC Foundation, the 1,000 square-foot green home renovation project provides learning opportunities for students, faculty and community residents who are curious to see what practical steps may be taken to create a more sustainable home and lifestyle.

The home features two bedrooms, one bath, a kitchen, dining room, living room, and a new sun porch addition. Extra space in the basement will be converted to additional bedrooms and a bathroom.

The house will be certified on the Emerald Level by the National Association of Home Builders’ National Green Building Standards. “This is the first green home project our students have taken on,” said Bruce Bowman, DCCC’s HVAC instructor who called the learning experience invaluable.

Students will install highly efficient HVAC and insulation materials including a two-stage heat pump with a 19.5 SEER minimum rating, an energy recovery ventilator, and a GeoSpring heat pump water heater.

DCCC students working on the HVAC and electrical system will be joined by landscape design majors from North Carolina A&T State University who will develop and install the outdoor green space that will later feature a community garden.