In honor of St. Patrick's Day, millions of people around the country celebrate by wearing the color green. Today, the word green has many different meanings from color, to currency, and now to environmentally conscious practices. In that same respect, sustainable design and building has come a long way in the last two decades, especially in the residential real estate and construction industries. To honor these new "green" leaders, here is a look at some of the best sustainably designed and built homes in Tampa Bay.
A note about the rankings: the homes on this list have been compiled by examining the HERS index. All the homes on this list have a HERS - Home Energy Rating System - score of under 70. A typically resale home in the United States will have a HERS score of 130, while a new construction home will have an approximate HERS score of 100. Therefore, homes with scores at 70 or below go at least 30% above and beyond what is required for sustainable construction.
#5 4213 Callista Ln., Sarasota
HERS Score: 68
$349,900
This two bedroom, two bathroom home with a den boasts nearly 2,000 square feet of interior living space, with nearly another 1,000 square feet of exterior living space. This home also qualified as an Energy Star Home and a Silver rating by the Certified Florida Green Home Council. Special features in this home include low-maintenance James Hardie Fiber Cement siding/fascia/soffits, PGT impact rated hurricane rated low-E insulated windows throughout.
#4 21219 Quiet Haven Ct., Land O' Lakes
HERS Score: 63
$419,000
This four bedroom, four bathroom home with a bonus room, theatre room, and a three car garage on nearly 3,300 square feet of heated living space is a Southern Crafted new construction masterpiece. This home achieved a Certified rating with the Certified Florida Green Home Council all while maintaining the creature comforts the best of modern construction can buy.
#3 10832 Charmood Dr., Riverview
HERS Score: 61
$464,990
This five bedroom, four and a half bathroom split-garage home with two master suites boasts over 4,300 square feet of interior living space, with nearly another 1,000 square feet of outside entertaining space. With all of the latest sustainable and green features available in new construction homes, this property has the best of luxurious design and environmentally friendly features.
#2 14204 Homosassa St., Tampa
HERS Score: 59
$531,517
This four bedroom, four and a half bathroom, two-story new construction home gives the best of energy efficiency while being close to the heart of the city. Every new construction home in this community showcases the builder's commitment to providing incredibly energy-efficient homes that let you spend your money on better things than utility bills. Known for their energy efficient features, our homes help you live a healthier and quieter lifestyle while saving you thousands of dollars on your utility bills.
#1 1414 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota
HERS Score: 56
$950,000
This three bedroom, three and a half bedroom luxury home features 2,300 square feet of perfectly executed design in a sustainable home. With a energy efficient rating nearly double that of current new construction homes, this home allows you the benefits of luxury living without spoiling the natural environment around the property. This home achieved the highest rating, Platinum Certification, from the Florida Green Building Coalition while including an Energy Star package.
A note about the rankings: the homes on this list have been compiled by examining the HERS index. All the homes on this list have a HERS - Home Energy Rating System - score of under 70. A typically resale home in the United States will have a HERS score of 130, while a new construction home will have an approximate HERS score of 100. Therefore, homes with scores at 70 or below go at least 30% above and beyond what is required for sustainable construction.
#5 4213 Callista Ln., Sarasota
HERS Score: 68
$349,900
This two bedroom, two bathroom home with a den boasts nearly 2,000 square feet of interior living space, with nearly another 1,000 square feet of exterior living space. This home also qualified as an Energy Star Home and a Silver rating by the Certified Florida Green Home Council. Special features in this home include low-maintenance James Hardie Fiber Cement siding/fascia/soffits, PGT impact rated hurricane rated low-E insulated windows throughout.
#4 21219 Quiet Haven Ct., Land O' Lakes
HERS Score: 63
$419,000
This four bedroom, four bathroom home with a bonus room, theatre room, and a three car garage on nearly 3,300 square feet of heated living space is a Southern Crafted new construction masterpiece. This home achieved a Certified rating with the Certified Florida Green Home Council all while maintaining the creature comforts the best of modern construction can buy.
#3 10832 Charmood Dr., Riverview
HERS Score: 61
$464,990
This five bedroom, four and a half bathroom split-garage home with two master suites boasts over 4,300 square feet of interior living space, with nearly another 1,000 square feet of outside entertaining space. With all of the latest sustainable and green features available in new construction homes, this property has the best of luxurious design and environmentally friendly features.
#2 14204 Homosassa St., Tampa
HERS Score: 59
$531,517
This four bedroom, four and a half bathroom, two-story new construction home gives the best of energy efficiency while being close to the heart of the city. Every new construction home in this community showcases the builder's commitment to providing incredibly energy-efficient homes that let you spend your money on better things than utility bills. Known for their energy efficient features, our homes help you live a healthier and quieter lifestyle while saving you thousands of dollars on your utility bills.
#1 1414 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota
HERS Score: 56
$950,000
This three bedroom, three and a half bedroom luxury home features 2,300 square feet of perfectly executed design in a sustainable home. With a energy efficient rating nearly double that of current new construction homes, this home allows you the benefits of luxury living without spoiling the natural environment around the property. This home achieved the highest rating, Platinum Certification, from the Florida Green Building Coalition while including an Energy Star package.
