Want to learn how to save money on your utility and home maintenance bills?

Murphy Brothers Contracting's Shore Road Project will be included in the upcoming CT Green Building Council's (CTGBC) 2014 Green Homes Tour on Saturday June 7th from 12 Noon through 3 pm.  Located at 15 Shore Road in Old Greenwich, the newly constructed single family coastal colonial home features: 

• Fully insulated concrete form (ICF) exterior wall construction
• Closed-cell spray foam insulation and recycled blue-jean insulation where essential
• Energy-efficient Marvin & Andersen windows and doors
• Super energy-efficient air-source heat pump w/ ERV system
• Condensing tankless water heater (over 90% efficient)
• Water-saving plumbing fixtures and appliances
• Dow Powerhouse Solar roof Shingles

Homeowners, Renters, Landlords, Design Professionals, Builders and Public Officials are welcome to tour homes that have used energy efficient construction standards and clean energy technologies to build or renovate their homes.  Joanna Grab, Chair of the CTGBC Green Homes Committee and a Sustainability Consultant for Steve Winter Associates, a national green building firm located in South Norwalk stated:  "This tour builds on our successful Fall 2013 Tour and allows visitors to speak to experts and homeowners about how they reduced their utility bills, have a more comfortable home, and have added value to their investment".

"It used to be the perception that green buildings had to be modern and contemporary," said homeowner Diane Murphy. "It was one of those stereotypes that it had to be a modern house. This house is green, but it looks very traditional, like the coastal Colonial you're used to seeing." The three-story home features a finished basement, four bedrooms and four full bathrooms. With a cupola, a "captain's walk" and Hardi-plank clapboard siding, the home fits in seamlessly with the character of its neighborhood.

On the outside, the only visible difference is the solar shingles on the roof -- they're a new product that contains solar technology within an actual roof shingle, allowing homeowners to make energy without having to add bulky solar panels on top of their roofs.  "Energy independence and the use of renewable building materials are necessary design criteria", added project architect, Rex Gedney.

The (CTGBC) 2014 Green Homes Tour highlights selected high performance buildings, presenting a range of energy efficient and sustainable building techniques, from easy energy upgrades to certified net zero homes; many made affordable with rebates and grants offered from the State of CT through CEFIA and energy companies.

The home designs vary greatly, offering something for everyone and includes new construction, gut rehabs and renovations.  For more information, see http://ctgbc.org/events?eventId=896862&EventViewMode=EventDetails or go to the CTGBC website at http://ctgbc.org/

About the CTGBC
USGBC CT Chapter is a non-profit 501©3 organization whose vision is for buildings and communities to regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation. The CT Chapter is an efficiently-run organization that improves the quality of life in Connecticut by promoting the benefits of high-performance, energy efficient, healthy buildings.  This work is done through education, community outreach, and advocacy. The mission of the Green Homes Committee is to encourage the state-wide adoption of green building practices for both new construction and existing homes. The volunteer committee is comprised of sustainable building professionals pursuing the mission via a variety of outreach and educational initiatives.

About Murphy Brothers Contracting

Celebrating their 35th year in the construction business, Murphy Brothers is known throughout Southern Fairfield county and the Westchester Hudson Valley Region for building beautifully designed custom homes, picture-perfect whole home renovations and distinctive commercial projects, such as area golf, boating and beach & tennis clubs, as well as their own line of custom millwork, offering their clients the highest level of quality and professionalism in the industry.  Murphy Brothers Contracting believes that "building green" is simply "building smart". 

About Crozier Gedney Architects

Established in 1952, Crozier Gedney Architects PC has completed thousands of projects throughout New York and New England. A full service design firm with experience in custom residential, commercial and private clubs has focused on energy efficient systems and renewable building products.