BCB Homes’ first “Montelena” model earned Green Home certification by The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ and Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC). The “Montelena” is now available pre-construction in Estuary at Grey Oaks. This Stofft-Cooney Architects plan encompasses 5,287 square feet of living area, and a total area of 7,789 square feet, including terraces and a three-car garage.

The benefits of this green home for a homeowner include lower operating costs, a healthier interior environment, reduction of water usage, and increased sustainability.

President of BCB Homes, Joe Smallwood is well versed in “green living” on both a professional and personal basis. This April, Smallwood’s private residence in Estuary earned the status of being the first green home in all of Florida to be certified by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and also the Florida Green Building Coalition (FBBC).

“The trend toward building green homes will only continue to expand as more people discover the paybacks.” said Smallwood. “As builders, our responsibility to the environment demands that we continue to incorporate new, more energy-efficient and resourceful building methods. We have the ability to construct homes to operate more efficiently and provide a healthier living environment, inside and out. That’s smart building.”

The Smallwood residence earned four 2009 Sand Dollars awards including Best Green Home, FPL BuildSmart, Best Master suite and Product Design of the year for a private residence. The completed Montelena model earned five 2009 Sand Dollars including Product Design of the Year for a single-family model home, Best Landscape Design, Best Outdoor Living Area, Best Pool Design and Best Kitchen.

BCB Homes’ single story, great room floor plan “Montelena” is planned with “green building” methods from the outside in. Adaptable native and drought tolerant plants will make up approximately fifty percent of the landscaping adding colorful beauty to the grounds yet requiring less water, maintenance and fertilizers. The exterior of the home will be finished with ArcusStone®, a fine aggregate plaster formula of crushed limestone. The versatile mix can be colorized, textured and “cut” to emulate beautiful cut stone; it weathers well and requires less maintenance without paint.

Natural gas, a professional chef’s preference for cooking, is used for the top-end Energy Star kitchen appliances and in the Wolf gas grill in the summer kitchen. It also provides the fuel for heating fireplaces, the unique fire urn, pool and spa. Natural gas releases heat quickly and easily, and is friendly to the environment because gas is sent directly to your home without needing to be generated.

Another green attribute of the “Montelena” is the saltwater pool. Saltwater is softer on your skin and more gentle for the eyes than typical chlorine treated pools. Saltwater pools, also called saline pools, require lower levels of the irritating chemical than traditional swimming pools. Special equipment shocks a small portion of the water with jolts of electricity during filtration. This process converts some of the salt into chlorine and that chlorinated water is sent out into circulation in a steady stream replacing a big weekly chemical spike.

Inside, the home will be finished with long-lasting, beautiful wide plank white oak flooring in main living areas. Banks of single French doors open from each side of the leisure room and are fitted with extremely efficient impact glass windows. The glass is Low E Argon-filled insulated impact windows withstand winds of 120 to 150 miles per hour. These innovative windows also protect the home from harsh, ultraviolet light, reducing fading; and the window assemblies combat noise and cold weather.

Other behind-the-scene “green efficiencies” used in the “Montelena” include a vapor permeable polystyrene insulation that works to minimize the intrusion of outdoor pollen, allergens, pollution, heat and humidity from entering the home, and an innovative hot water recirculation system that speeds hot water retrieval and helps conserve water. The interiors are maintained at a comfortable level by means of a fresh air dehumidification system and a 19 SEER HVAC system, which exceeds the required Florida Building Code of 13 SEER. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the cooling unit operates.

The home will be also equipped with the energy saving Crestron home automation system and Lutron lighting system to streamline and simplify the usage of the technology in the home. With the touch of the keypad, Crestron programmable controls allow owners to customize temperature, audio/video, pool pumps, window shades, and roll-down screens, much more.

“One of the major operating expenses in homes are the pool pumps,” said Scott Weidle, BCB Homes Chief Operating Officer. “By using the Crestron systems in conjunction with the variable speed pumps, homeowners can see real savings.”

Lutron lighting systems will provide lighted carefree security throughout the home.
Lights can be automated to come on or go off at designated times of the day so light usage is monitored and homeowners are provided with added security and peace of mind.

The amount of money saved in a green home varies by personal usage. On average, those who live in green homes save money by consuming 40% less energy and 50% less water than conventional standard homes. Over a period of time, that can add up to a substantial savings.

LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification developed by The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a 501 c3 non-profit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.

For more information on the “Montelena”, contact the Estuary Sales Center at 239.261.3148. Estuary is located off Golden Gate Parkway just west of Airport-Pulling Road in Naples. Models are open daily. For more information, call 239. 261.3148 or 800.294.2426, or visit www.estuaryatgreyoaks.com.

Premier Properties is the exclusive representative for Estuary at Grey Oaks. The company has full service offices in the Village on Venetian Bay, and The Gallery Office in The Northern Trust Building in Park Shore; Broad Avenue South and 5th Avenue South in Old Naples; Vanderbilt Beach Road in North Naples; the Esplanade Shoppes on Marco Island; and The Promenade in Bonita Springs. Premier Properties’ Commercial Division is located in Bonita Springs and in Naples. The Developer Services Division, and Rental Division are headquartered in the Quarles & Brady building in Naples. Premier Properties is the Real Estate division of The Lutgert Companies.