Green Homes Pittsburgh

1:00 – 3:30 PM United Methodist Church, 905 Mifflin Ave, at Whitney Ave. (Presentations from 1:30-2:30)

Come join the Greater Park Place Neighborhood Association for our !THIRD! annual Spring workshop with the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh! I’m sure you’ve heard about all those tax credits and rebates out there for improving the energy efficiency of your home–well, we’ve rounded up a nice group of folks who can tell you all about them and help you decide what you should do and what will give you the most bang for your buck. The blurb:

Eastern area neighborhoods are once again partnering with the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh to put on another free workshop for homeowners interested in improving the value of their homes. This year’s workshop will look at making homes more energy efficient. There will be presentations and then open time for participants to talk with the presenters. In addition, volunteer architects from the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh will offer a limited number of individual free “mini-consultations” on selecting the proper windows and doors for your home. So, bring pictures of the outside of your home to show them.

For more information.

Here is a great video that really speaks to the economic benefits of purchasing a green home. Enjoy.

Find an energy efficient home in Pittsburgh! Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, at 724-933-6300 x214 (office) or 724-779-1437 (direct) or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.

November 21, 2009 10 AM to 3 PM at Schwartz Market, 1317 East Carson Street.

Interested, you should be, because this is one of the first homes in the Pittsburgh, PA area that is green, energy-efficient, affordable and pretty darn stylish as well. The property is called E lane @ Carnegie and it sits right off Washington Avenue in Carnegie, PA.

E lane @ Carnegie

Because of its orientation to the road it can be easy to miss, but swing up the driveway and you will see an amazing modern prairie-style home that incorporates creative ideas, sustainable materials and elegant, simple living that is good for your pocketbook, health and the environment.

The two homes at E lane (there are plans for nine total) are ENERGY STAR® qualified homes, meaning they have been tested by an independent energy auditor who has assigned a HERS Index to the home. It takes into account things like insulation, air sealing, heating, cooling and other energy usage aspects of a home. In order for a home to be called an ENERGY STAR home if must beat an 85 on the HERS Index, which relates to a saving of at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code, and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.

Part of any Energy Rating is the report that not only shows the HERS Index score, but also specific details of the construction methods, mechanical systems, lighting, heating, cooling and appliances. A Certified Energy Auditor will test the home with high-tech tools like a blower door and duct blaster. These tools can tell how and where hot and cool air leaks in and out of a home. All this information, and existing utility bills (if any), are fed into a computer program that returns estimates of energy costs and how they can be affected by changes to a home. It also spits out the HERS Index.

Using this report it is possible to compare how one home stacks up against another. I decided to take a look at how E lane @ Carnegie would compare to a typical, older Pittsburgh home. By working with a local Energy Auditor, I was able to secure a rating on a comparable Pittsburgh home.

E lane @ Carnegie is a 1,100 square feet, single floor, 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, and 2 Car Garage Home. It is built using SIP construction; foam air sealed and sits on an insulated crawl space. It is heated with a high-efficiency electric heat pump. Matter of fact, the home is all electric and qualifies for a reduced rate with Duquesne Light. E lane @ Carnegie has a HERS Index of 69.

The comparable home is a typical ranch you see in many local neighborhoods. It is 1,085 sq feet, single floor, 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathroom, and 1 Car Garage. It’s an older, brick home that sits on a full basement with the garage integrated. It is heated with a gas, forced air furnace that was new enough that replacement is not recommended. It achieved a HERS Index of 159.

So how did they stack up? Take a look:

E lane is the obvious winner with total energy costs of only $1,141 a year. If you look at just heating, you will see that at $319 a year, your average bill would only be $26.58 a month! The comparable homeowner will spend $4,309 a year on their energy bills, the majority to cover the $2,856 heating bill. Based on the Energy Reports, you could expect to save almost $264 a month on your utilities if you were to live here, rather than buying an older home somewhere else. It’s even more amazing when you think about how that plays out over time. In one year, you’ll save $3,168. In 10 years, you’ll save $31,680, just by making a smart home buying decision.

The story doesn’t end there, because all that energy you don’t use adds up to savings for the environment too. According to the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program an ENERGY STAR home eliminates the emissions from 0.5 vehicles, saves 3,000 lbs of coal, is equal to planting almost an acres of trees and saves the environment 5,800 pounds of CO2 per year. Those are some pretty big numbers.

Of course, there are many other benefits to buying one of these green, energy-efficient homes like comfort, a great walk-able neighborhood, creative, no-maintenance landscaping, an ADA-friendly floor plan and a layout for modern living.

You can find out more going to www.elane.biz or contact me.

Want to see E lane @ Carnegie for yourself? Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, your certified green agent and RE/MAX green specialist at 724-309-1758 or visit my website at

E lane @ Carnegie

I recently listed what I think may be the greenest properties available in the Pittsburgh area. One of the things I like best about E lane @ Carnegie is that it proves that green and affordable are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the two condo units which are listed at $204,900 and 194,900, give buyers more for their money than other home choices.

Green is beautiful. The homes have a wonderful, zen-like quality. Materials used throughout the homes like cork, bamboo, rain glass and beech countertops are both attractive in their own right while being better choices for the environment. Simple, minimal style makes the home a peaceful retreat from the world. The open floor plan makes the space bright and airy. These 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom units are filled with light from windows, full view doors, solar tubes, and smoked glass interior doors that give privacy, but still let the light shine through.

E lane @ Carnegie

These homes save you money on heating and cooling. E lane @ Carnegie are Energy Star™ certified homes. With a HERS rating of 69 they perform at least 31% better than a traditionally built home. Each unit is approximately 1,100 sq ft and built with SIP construction. SIP, which stands for Structural Insulated Panels, are oriented strand board (OSB) on each side with a thick layer of foam insulation between. The result is a building system that is extremely strong, energy efficient and cost effective. The SIP construction provides insulation on the roof of R-50 and R-27 in the walls. The home was then sealed with expanding foam and Energy Star™ windows and doors were added. All this adds up to a home that is tight and well built. Want proof? It costs just $319 a year to heat the house, as estimated by a professional energy auditor. That’s less than $26 a month! Cooling is even less at just $31 a year. When you consider that an older Pittsburgh home of the same size could easily cost over $3,000 a year to power and you start to realize how quickly your cost savings will add up.

Rain Barrel and Natural Landscaping

Save time for something better than maintenance and yard work. The homes are built with sustainable, durable and energy-efficient materials like a metal roof and Hardiboard™ siding, both of which will last 50 years or more before they need attention. The roof can even be recycled after it has run its course. The native landscaping is both edible and beautiful, and grows without the need for continuous care or water. The natural landscaping has attracted the attention of songbirds to the property, in addition to producing a small harvest from the fruit trees this year.

Open Floor Plan is Bright and Airy

Better, Healthier Living. The EPA estimates that indoor air quality can be 5-7 times more polluted than the outside. This is usually due to fumes from building materials and poor ventilation. These problems are addressed at E lane @ Carnegie by using no-VOC paints to reduce off-gassing of fumes into the home and regular mechanical ventilation, which brings the right amount of fresh air into the home without wasting energy. Clerestory windows can be left open during the day and rain sensors will close them automatically if needed. The homes can even help you eat healthier. The community orchard and planned vegetable patch will give those that want to eat fresh from the garden, but also want to live close to the city, find a home that does both.

Watch the Virtual Tour

Learn more at www.elane.biz

Want to see E lane @ Carnegie? Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, your certified green agent and RE/MAX green specialist at 724-309-1758 or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.

I attended the Sustainable Monroeville meeting earlier this week. This is a nice group of people who are looking to make Monroeville more sustainable and live a more environmentally friendly life themselves. Great goals! The local website covered the meeting and I even got a few quotes.
http://www.yourmonroeville.com/timesexpress/article/sustainability-going-green-can-mean-saving-green

Squirrel Hill is a prosperous and easygoing middle-class neighborhood located east of Downtown Pittsburgh. The area features an established shopping district filled with small businesses, evenly mixed with local and national chain stores. Best know as a center for Pittsburgh’s Jewish community, it caters to diverse group of residents in age, income, profession and ethnic background. In the beginning, Squirrel Hill was the ‘burbs, and it still retains its wide, leafy residential streets and beautiful brick and stone homes. Squirrel Hill is served by the Pittsburgh Public School District and several prestigious private schools.

Walk-ability: Squirrel Hill ranks as a Walker’s Paradise with a walk score of 97 out of 100. One trip to the area makes it easy to see why. Almost every imaginable need is located in a 10 block area. Local favorites like The Squirrel Hill Café (also known as the Squirrel Cage) and Gullifty’s mix with boutiques, bookstores, coffee shops, a library, cinema, bike shops and almost anything else you could imagine.

Commute: Squirrel Hill is centrally located less than four miles from downtown and a mile and a half from Oakland. Many of the roads are wide and have bike lanes or sharrows (lanes that are shared by both cars and bikes) to make commuting by bike easy. The neighborhood is well served by PAT buses with stops on Murray and Forbes Avenue and near Schneley Park. For students, there is an intercampus bus service that picks up near Chatham University and drops off in Oakland.

Outdoor Space: The tree-lined streets and inviting front porches are repeating features of the neighborhood which is sandwiched in-between two large city parks. Schenley Park to the west and Frick Park to the east give residents over 1,000 acres of trails, fields, streams and playgrounds within a few miles of their homes. The 151-acre Frick Woods Nature Reserve offers an opportunity to see Pennsylvania’s native plants in its meadows and woodlands. On-road bike lanes run throughout the area and off-road trails in Frick and Schenley Park are good for mountain biking. Finally, sidewalks make for lovely evening strolls.

Environmental Activism: With its diverse mix of families, students, artists, immigrants, liberals, intellectuals and young professionals, Squirrel Hill is almost predestined to be a neighborhood full of optimistic environmental activism. The Frick Environmental Center serves as the starting point of an extensive trail system—including a handicap-accessible trail through the woods. It is used for environmental educational programs, day camps, school and family programs and nature walks. The Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) a non-profit citizens’ group in Southwestern Pennsylvania working for a healthy, sustainable environment is based in the neighborhood. As is The Urban Forest Committee of the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, which works to establish, maintain and protect the shade tree canopy on every street in the Squirrel Hill residential and commercial districts.

Housing: Squirrel Hill is the traditional neighborhood that all the proponents of New Urbanism and TNDs (Traditional Neighborhood Developments) seek to recreate in many of today’s newer projects. The homes have a wonderful mix of shapes, styles and materials. One will find small and large single family homes, brick mansions, duplexes and apartments all sitting next to each other. Because of this, the streets of Squirrel Hill have a culturally and economically diverse population that includes a harmonious mix of lifestyles. Traditional style brick and stone homes sit next door to contemporary urban homes which sit next to charming bungalows. While much of the existing housing stock is older, and likely in need of energy efficient updates, the neighborhood is also home to one of Pittsburgh’s first sustainable development projects. Summerset at Frick Park sits on a reclaimed industrial site near the back of Squirrel Hill, along the edge of Frick Park. This plan of 300+ newer homes seeks to capture much of the traditional neighborhood in a new housing plan, and incorporates every style home from condominium to estate. The homes are built to be highly energy-efficient with tests showing they are 30% more efficient to heat that a typical new Pittsburgh home. An expanded selection of green living features are available for buyers interested in sustainable design materials and technologies, including tankless water heaters, tile and carpet made from recycled content and low VOC countertops, cabinets and paints. Homes in Squirrel Hill sell for an average price of $235,000 but range from well over a million to around $100,000.

Want to find a home in Squirrel Hill that is good for your family, wallet, health and planet? Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, your certified green agent and RE/MAX green specialist at 724-309-1758 or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.

East Liberty is a historic and culturally diverse neighborhood located in Pittsburgh’s East End. Through its history East Liberty has had some big ups and downs. One look at the amazing East Liberty Presbyterian Church (my daughter calls it a princess castle) and architecturally interesting buildings on Penn Avenue and it is easy to glimpse East Liberty’s booming past. Unfortunately, this area was also the victim of misguided urban development policy. By the mid 1970’s it was best known for abandoned storefronts and high crime. The good news is that East Liberty has been working its way back up the ranks of Pittsburgh neighborhoods, thanks in part to an aggressive nonprofit community development corporation, East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI). ELDI has spearheaded the recovery of the area with a strong emphasis on sustainable commercial and residential development. The neighborhood is comprised of a mix of older homes, newly built energy-efficient properties and a commercial shopping district. Great bargains are available for those who want to invest some elbow grease, and the new homes are affordably priced. The area is served by the Pittsburgh Public School District and a number of highly regarded private schools.

Walk-ability: East Liberty comes in with a high walk score of 86. Once known as a major shopping area for the city, recent development are bringing East Liberty back to its roots. The area has landed big box stores, like Home Depot, Trader Joe’s, Borders, and Whole Foods (and coming soon a Target), which anchor the ends of the shopping district. For those that need to shop at a big box, these are some of the only ones you will find inside the Pittsburgh city limits. In between the boxes, you will find eclectic local businesses and restaurants, with more popping up everyday. For entertainment, you can visit the famous Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, Pittsburgh Glass Center or a branch of the Carnegie Library, all of which can be reached easily on foot or bike.

Commute: East Liberty is centrally located less than four miles from the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh, two miles from Oakland and a mile and a half from Children’s Hospital in Lawrenceville. Commuting in the city by bike is likely as fast, or faster, than by car. East Liberty is a transportation hub for PAT and is well served by 42 routes that run through the area. By bus, you can get just about anywhere from here. East Liberty is one neighborhood in Pittsburgh that you could easily get to everything you need without owning a car. But if you occasionally need a car, you can sign up for a Zipcar and pick it up at one of four Zipcar locations in the area.

Outdoor Space: As a true urban neighborhood, East Liberty has more roadway than green space. However, it would be unfair not to mention several parklets and plans to connect each with tree-lined, pedestrian friendly walkways. One significant park within the boundaries of the neighborhood is Mellon Park, which it shares with Shadyside. This slice of land between Penn Avenue and 5th Avenue is the site of a new bike trail which will connect all the East End parks from Highland Park to Mellon Park; and then connect to Frick, and on to Schenley. A mile or so up Highland Avenue you can find Highland Park, home to the Pittsburgh Zoo, walking and biking trails and a beautiful Victorian-style entry garden. For another type of garden you can visit the community garden located on St. Clair Street.

Environmental Activism: Activism of all types is common in East Liberty. Many of the green initiatives are coupled with community development goals. One example is the GTECH project which has the goal of reclaiming and revitalizing vacant land, implementing innovative green strategies such as planting bio-fuel feedstock, and providing education and green collar job training services. The community garden project lets students from the Kentucky Avenue School sell the produce they grow at East Liberty’s monthly farmers market and then donate the money to charity. Trail and park developments are as much about creating green space as creating livable neighborhoods. Perhaps the most obvious example of East Liberty’s desire to be a sustainable community is the fact that ELDI employs a Sustainable Policy Coordinator who works on issues as diverse as storm-water usage, green space and LEED community development.

Housing: East Liberty is a neighborhood in the midst of revitalization. ELDI has worked hard to keep affordable housing options in the area by developing a variety of mixed-income housing. This has resulted in an economically diverse population of with a mix of renters and homeowners. Residential housing is a key element of ELDI’s plans for the area, and the homes they are building are some of the most interesting and energy-efficient in the city. The current project, named Historic Enclave, is made up of new green and efficient homes, priced to start in the low $200’s, and designed as a mix of traditional and trendy. Some beautiful existing homes have also been singled out for renovation within the Historic Enclave project, as opposed to demolition. The next project on the drawing board is called Mellon’s Orchard South, a planned nine-acre development with up to 84 units of green housing. The development aims for zero water run-off and will make use of technologies such as geothermal heating and cooling. This project is one of just five Pennsylvania projects that are participating in the new LEED-ND (Neighborhood Development) pilot program. For those that are looking to green an existing home, East Liberty still offers great houses at reasonable prices. The average sale price in the area is $130,991. If energy-efficiency is important to you then be sure to conduct an energy audit when you purchase and make plans to improve the sealing and insulation in these older homes.

Want to find a home in East Liberty that is good for your family, wallet, health and planet? Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, your certified green agent and RE/MAX green specialist at 724-309-1758 or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.

For this project, I wanted to select neighborhoods that were both urban and suburban and neighborhoods that ranged from affordable to expensive.

Today, I am profiling Oakmont, PA, a small suburban town located 15 miles north east of downtown Pittsburgh. Oakmont is probably best known for its world class golf course that has played host to the U.S. Open eight times. This riverside community makes the cut primarily because of its high walk score (85, according to walkscore.com). Oakmont is made up mostly of older homes which sell in a range of prices, but plans are underway for a new LEED-certified neighborhood development. The town is served by the Riverview School District.

Walk-ability: Just about everything you need is located on the brick main street of Oakmont. Grocery and hardware stores, fast food and elegant dining, a bakery, clothing boutiques and gift shops, a library and even an independent movie house are all here. Residents will find just about anything they would need in the thriving, and for the most part locally-owned, downtown business district, all surrounded by a compact, tree-lined neighborhood of lovely older homes.

Commute: Like many suburban neighborhoods, Oakmont’s commute to the city is its downfall. Its location 15 miles from town means most residents who work in the city will commit at least 30 minutes or more to their daily commute. Of course, not everyone works in the city. About 21% of the population works in the town and its location near two major RIDC parks and the PA Turnpike Interchange make it convenient for those that work east of the city. Oakmont is served by two PAT Transit bus routes, 77A and the 78A Express route that provide service to and from Downtown. Riding a bike from Oakmont to the city is easy (except for some heavy traffic on the roads) due to the flat route down Allegheny River Boulevard and then Butler Street. Once you reach the 31st Street Bridge you can cross the river and stay on a bike trail the rest of the way into town. Plans call for bike and walking trails along both sides of the river, so eventually you may be able to take a bike path the entire way from Oakmont to the city, but for the time being you’ll still have to spend some of your ride on the main roads.

Outdoor Space: While Oakmont’s tree-lined streets make it a lush and green setting to live in, a large portion of its open outdoor space is dedicated to golf courses. Oakmont does have two parks for non-golfing residents. Dark Hollow Woods Park is located at the top of the neighborhood and backs up against the Penn Hills Community Park. Riverside Park sits near the river and behind Riverview High School. New development plans for the riverfront include a park and walking trails and should benefit the neighborhood in this category.

Environmental Activism: Oakmont has several businesses and organizations that help residents live healthier lives. Today’s Market, located on Allegheny River Boulevard is a full service health food store that sells organic, healthy and gluten-free products. During the summer months, the Chamber of Commerce hosts an open-air farmer’s market on Thursdays and Saturdays. Oakmont in Bloom is an organization that seeks to amplify the cleanliness and beauty of the curb to business areas of the town through plantings of trees and flowers.

Housing: It would be impossible to talk about Oakmont without talking about it’s not so green past and how it will tie to its greener future. Oakmont was the site of the former Edgewater Steel Company. The plant occupied a large tract of land along the waterfront in Oakmont. The brownfield that was left behind is now slated to be redeveloped as one of the first LEED for Neighborhood Development projects in the country. 34 acres of serene, waterfront living in a traditional neighborhood environment will include sidewalks, tree-lined streets, pocket parks, access to the river and diverse housing opportunities. The plan will connect the new riverfront housing with the existing Oakmont neighborhoods. The homes being built will be highly energy-efficient and incorporate green features throughout.

In addition to these proposed new homes, Oakmont has many beautiful older homes that have been well maintained and are filled with character. Massive oaks, solid construction and a tight-knit neighborhood lend Oakmont much of its charm. Since the homes are older, it is important to consider energy-efficiency, lead paint and radon testing as part of any purchase.

Want to find a home in Oakmont that is good for your family, wallet, health and planet?

Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, your certified green agent and RE/MAX green specialist at 724-309-1758 or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.

Regent Square is a tree-filled neighborhood located east of the city, just outside of the Squirrel Hill tunnels. This quaint area was one of my first picks because of the high walk score (74, according to walkscore.com) and its proximity to Frick Park. Regent Square is made up of four municipalities, Pittsburgh, Swissvale, Wilkinsburg and Edgewood and covered by three school districts, Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg and Woodland Hills. The homes are generally mid-sized, older homes sitting on lovely brick streets.

Walk-ability: This category is one of the big reasons Regent Square makes the cut. South Braddock Avenue forms the spine of a sweet business district. The flat, compact, tree-lined neighborhood allows residents to easily reach a variety of locally-owned establishments without the need for a car. Several cafés, a coffee shop, a dry cleaner, corner store, a flower shop, a movie theater and a number of other businesses fill the needs of residents without becoming overdeveloped. It is not uncommon to see bikes lined up outside the local watering holes. The only missing piece is a grocery store, but residents can reach Edgewood Town Center, located just a ½ mile south, or head the other direction to the East End Food Co-op, at the far end of Braddock Avenue.

Commute: Regent Square is centrally located and well served by the PAT Buses which run along Braddock Avenue and off the Busway, at the back of the neighborhood. Regent Square is bounded by Forbes Avenue on the North which gives it a direct route into Squirrel Hill and Oakland and makes an easy (except for normal city traffic) bike commute to the Universities, and then to downtown on the Eliza Furnace Trail.

Outdoor Space: The 561 acre Frick Park is a woodland jewel that borders Regent Square to the West. The park includes a wonderful children’s playground, tennis courts and ballfields lined up along Braddock Avenue, as well as extensive walking and biking trails. Local mountain bikers commonly use the Regent Square parking area as a starting point for summer evening rides and the location for post-ride refreshments.

Environmental Activism: Regent Square is home to the Imagine Environmental Charter School at Frick Park, a school with the goal of fostering knowledge, love of and respect for the environment, as well as high academic standards. The neighborhood is also home to the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association. The square is within a mile of Construction Junction, East End Food Co-op and Garden Dreams Urban Farm and Nursery. Its civic organization is active in tree-planting and beautification of the neighborhood.

Green Housing: Regent Square is a community of older, mid-sized homes and ultimately, reusing those older homes creates much less waste than building new. Because these homes are older, it is important to consider energy-efficiency testing as part of any purchase. Also, be aware of lead-based paint, since almost all were built well before 1978. The good news is that these homes and the homeowners have made an effort to keep the original character of their homes which are full of beautiful woodwork, stained glass and built with solid construction techniques. Just be prepared to insulate and seal when you move in.

Want to find a home in Regent Square? Contact me at www.greenhomespgh.com