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Home Place Dec 2, 2007

Local builder dedicated to creating Energy Star homes in a variety of price ranges

By Cindy Hodnett
HomePlace Writer

Six years ago, Don Hamrick turned to Energy Star expert Danny Gough when he decided to build his personal home. Determined to build the most energy-efficient property possible, Hamrick enlisted Gough's expertise on the latest technologies available, and Gough responded with a proposal that reinforced Hamrick's commitment to build an "energy-smart" house.

"Danny took the plans that I had and generated a nice little booklet showing the cost of using conventional versus Energy Star," Hamrick said. "With conventional, the annual energy cost was around $3,000 a year. With Energy Star, it was $1,700, almost halved."

After seeing the difference that the Energy Star label made for his home, Hamrick decided to share his knowledge with his clients. He built his first Energy Star home for clients in Morris Farm, and after that, Hamrick said there was no turning back.

"To me, it was a no-brainer. There is more upfront cost with Energy Star, but there is a good return on the investment."

Five years later, Hamrick is one of the most well-known Energy Star builders in the Piedmont, and his latest effort — a comfortable and spacious transitional in Spring Lake Farm — recently won a Gold Award during the annual Parade of Homes competition. He said that he is pleased to see more interest from buyers in both Energy Star and HealthyBuilt homes.

"Energy Star and green building are catching on," Hamrick said. "If you look at just the fall Parade of Homes this year, I think there were at least four Energy Star-labeled homes. People are asking for Energy Star and solar, and builders are starting to answer the demand."

Hamrick's home in Spring Lake Farm has more than 2,600 square feet, four bedrooms, three full and one half-baths, and all of the "eye candy" features that transform a home from ordinary into spectacular. Interior designer June Delugas decorated the home, and the distinctive decor showcases Delugas' signature style — a mix of European-inspired and classic details that complement a 21st-century lifestyle. However, one of the most important amenities in Hamrick's home is something that isn't actually seen by most visitors, and he considers it part of his job to educate people about Energy Star.

"Energy savings are really second to comfort," he said during a recent visit to Spring Lake Farm. " ... In an Energy Star home, there can be no more than 3 degrees of difference in temperature between any rooms, and by using certain products, we can balance the temperature in any room of the house. I tell people that the ideal system is one you don't see, hear or feel."

The air inside the Spring Lake Farm property is noticeably comfortable, both in temperature and in moisture level. Although there are many windows that let in tremendous amounts of light and serene water views, there is no draft or temperature deviation to detract from the visuals. Hamrick said that he enjoys showing visitors around the home first and then taking them out to the garage to see the "behind-the-scenes" features.

"Green building is a big picture, and Energy Star is just the energy side of it," he said. "I like to show people how I can build a home that is typically 40 [percent] to 50 percent more energy-efficient than a conventional home, and also help them understand what they can do to build a healthier home as well."

To his credit, Hamrick's energy commitment isn't just to high-end buyers. He has also built Energy Star homes that begin at $89,900 — a starter-home price by almost any standard. He said that he remains committed to helping Triad consumers understand the importance of building healthier, Energy Star-labeled homes and believes that the demand will continue to grow in coming years.

"I think we all recognize that we need to be good stewards of the earth," Hamrick said. "We've been gobbling up resources needlessly for a long time.

"I only build Energy Star homes, and I've turned down work because the buyer didn't want to build Energy Star," he said. "When I build a house, it will be energy-efficient for its entire life, and while it calls for more attention to the details that make it happen, I do it right and make sure we're doing what needs to be done."

Both of Don Hamrick's Energy Star homes will be open this afternoon. To visit the Parade of Homes Gold Award winner in Spring Lake Farm, take Business 40 to the Highway 158 exit (Reidsville Road); go 2.5 miles to a right turn on the second Stanley Road; continue on Stanley to a right turn on Spring Lake Farm Circle; lot 13 is ahead on the right (look for the Gold Parade of Homes sign). This home lists for $519,500.

To see his $89,900 Energy Star home, take Highway 52 South to the Clemmonsville Road exit; turn left on Clemmonsville Road; turn right on Tech Avenue; turn right on Southdale; turn right into Oakdale.