In honor of Earth day, Redfin released a ranking of the country’s top 10 cities with the greenest homes. The analysis looked at each city’s overall carbon dioxide emissions, as well as the number of homes currently for sale that have “green” features or eco-friendly ratings. The Redfin Collection called “Eco-Friendly Homes” showcases a variety of green homes in these cities and in others across the nation. Below are our favorite green homes in each of the Top 10 cities:
This unique home is situated on the top of the Noe Valley, just outside downtown San Francisco. Designed by famed architect Michecl Logue, it features many one-of-a-kind details and is built with sustainable materials including reclaimed timber and copper plates on the exterior, pebbled stone floor inlays, and concrete fireplaces and countertops. The home is solar powered and is “the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation,” says Logue.
These Chancellor’s Row Townhomes, located in Washington DC, are just minutes from the Brookland Metro station and are designed by EYA, a sustainable development company that focuses on building innovative urban communities. These townhomes boast amenities like rooftop decks, garage parking, and lots of nearby green space, and they are built sustainably to LEED standards. As an added bonus, all residents receive training on how to make the most of their home’s energy saving features.
Sacramento, CA
4132 T St, Sacramento, CA List Price: $895,000 Beds: 4 Baths: 4 Listed by: Michael Triglia, BHG Mason-McDuffie Real Estate
This Elmhurst bungalow in Sacramento has been updated with numerous environmentally friendly and cost-saving features throughout the home. The house has a photovoltaic solar system that provides 50 percent of the home’s energy use. The home also has a tank-less water heater, dual pane windows, a whole house fan for energy-efficient circulation and a skylight to let in natural light.
This luxurious condo is tastefully appointed with designer details and it’s environmentally friendly too! Built with sustainable and stylish features like bamboo floors and energy saving lighting, the condo is also located in Boston’s first LEED certified residential Green Building, The Macallen. Built in 2007, this initiator of the green movement was a shining example of form meets (green) function.
Portland, OR
3610 SE Haig, Portland OR List Price: $539,900 Beds: 4 Baths: 2.5 Listed by: Amanda Andruss, Renaissance Development Corp.
This LEED certified home located in Southeast Portland is in the popular Richmond neighborhood. It is a newly built LEED certified home with vintage finishes and numerous green features. All of the appliances in this new home have earned the Energy Star label. The home also has a tank-less hot water heater and forced air heating, which is 90 percent energy efficient. The home is built by a local developer known for their energy efficient properties throughout the city.
Located in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, this townhouse was an attempt by Postgreen developers to prove that green construction can be affordable if properly designed and executed. It is LEED Platinum and Energy Star certified, and includes solar thermal hot water, rainwater collection on the roof, low-flow and dual-flush appliances and fixtures, and low or no-VOC finishes. The home has been featured in Dwell magazine, and has won local and state architecture awards.
Phoenix, AZ
20508 W Hamilton St, Buckeye, AZ List Price: $324,455 Beds: 4 Baths: 2.5 Listed by: Janine Long, Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.
Located in Buckeye, a western suburb of Phoenix, this home is part of a new community called Verado, which is filled with eco-friendly homes. Each home has an Echo Solar system, which generates electricity for air conditioning and water heat. Additional energy-efficient features include spray foam insulation, ENERGY STAR appliances and thermostats, Low-E2 vinyl windows, and a SEER 14 heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit.
This home sits right on the coast of Laguna Beach, outside of Los Angeles. It was designed by Mark Singer Architects and is LEED Platinum-certified, the first of its kind in Laguna Beach and on the California coastline. A home that achieves LEED certification has been designed to be energy efficient, resource efficient, and to maximize fresh air indoors. Eco-friendly features include solar panels, automated shades, and energy efficient Gaggenau appliances.
Seattle, WA
2115 11th Ave W, Seattle, WA List Price: $1,090,000 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Listed by: Greg Sciborski, Windermere RE/Greenwood
This contemporary-style home is located in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle. It has many eco-friendly features, including a 1,400 gallon water reclamation/filter system, a green roof deck, heated floors, energy-efficient insulation, a solar hot water system, bamboo/cork flooring and a 16-foot sliding Nanawall that brings fresh air indoors.
Austin, TX
100 E Vienna Dr, Hutto, TX List Price: $520,000 Beds: 5 Baths: 4 Listed by: David Cavalier, Cavalier Real Estate
LEED Certification and Austin Energy 5 Star Green rating are in process for this home, located in the Austin suburb of Hutto, TX. The home features a water recycling system, rain water harvesting system, solar hot water heater, raised bed vegetable gardens, and native Texas landscaping to conserve water. It is located in Green Haven Ranch, a conservation-minded development. All homes in the community have green features and an acre of land.
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Christin covers a variety of topics for Redfin Real-Time, ranging from “best places” lists, to Redfin client stories, to celebrity news and everything in-between. Her dream home would have an enormous walk-in closet, a home theater and a room dedicated to her cats.
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