By Melissa Slachetka
Northeast Beat Contributor

The first “green” house in Minneapolis opened its doors August 17.  The LEED-certified home is located at 1415 18th Ave. NE.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a rating standard for environmentally sustainable construction. LEED promotes water savings, energy efficiency and environmentally kind materials. 

Builder Shafer Hartman was on hand to explain geothermal heating and other innovative parts of the house.

“We want to give the most efficient house,” Hartman said. Neighbors gathered to watch a presentation about the house:  how it was built, why it is an energy leader and steps to make any house more energy efficient.

“What an exciting thing! Think about it: realization [of a green community] happened here in Northeast,” Kevin Reich from the Windom Park Citizens in Action said to a packed crowd at the open house.  Neighbors and community make events like these possible, with a strong neighborhood vision Northeast is leading the way to a greener future, he said.

Hartman explained how the building process was environmentally friendly. In a quest to reduce on-site construction waste, extra wood was chipped and stray metal was recycled. In addition to energy-efficient fixtures, such as light bulbs and low-flush toilets, the house used high-density polyurethane insulation, and a deep garden that retains moisture. This reduces run-off which can contaminate lakes and rivers.

The single-family residence is heated by a geothermal system. This means the home uses the earth as a way to produce heat. The pipes that circulate water are placed below the frost line, where the earth holds a constant temperature. In Minnesota this constant temperature is approximately 47 degrees. Hartman used the example that it is just like harnessing the hot air that blows out from the cooling refrigerator and pulling it up to heat the home.

While the upfront costs are high for geothermal, the long-term benefits are many. It’s free and renewable, it produces no greenhouse gasses, it’s available anywhere and there is less maintenance than with other sources, such as gas.

“We got nothing but support. They were wonderful to work with,” Hartman said of the City of Minneapolis and their part in the project.

Neighbors enjoyed food served by the Red Stag Supper Club. The Red Stag is the first LEED-Certified restaurant in Minnesota and will open late September, also in Northeast.

“The theme tonight is Northeast,” Kurt Nowacki, with Rock Solid Reality, joked.

Hartman had an aura of energy as he stood in a casual outfit of jeans and sandals, beer in hand, and thanked the gathered community.  “I hope you appreciate the home and its possible influence in the neighborhood.”

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Filed under: Development, Environment, Windom Park