Building
Green
Founded in 1987,
John Cannon Homes, Inc. began with a company vision that
originated many years before, when President John Cannon
graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in
building construction. Over the years, John Cannon Homes,
Inc. has built more than 1,000 luxury custom homes in over
97 residential communities located in Sarasota, Manatee,
Hillsborough and Pasco Counties. The company has grown from
two employees in 1987, to currently employing 80 employees.
Today, John Cannon Homes, Inc. is considered one of Florida's
premier builders of exceptional luxury custom homes.
Not content to
rest on his laurels, Cannon never forgot his vision for
the company - to build luxurious, single-family homes and
to strive to create homes that are environmentally-friendly.
"I have
two children, and the majority of my clients have children,
so it's important to me to make sure that whatever I do
as a builder includes being sensitive to the environmental
issues and challenges facing us today," says Cannon.
To that end,
John Cannon Homes, Inc. has recently pledged that it will
meet or exceed the guidelines set by the Florida Green Building
Coalition, Inc. (FGBC).
According to
Cannon, "Conservation of water resources, maintaining
affordable and reliable energy sources, and incorporating
them into homebuilding is important to me as a member of
this community. Building a home that meets the Green Building
Standards set by the State of Florida also benefits the
homeowner. The idea of living in an environmentally-friendly
home is appealing on many levels and buyers know that ultimately,
a green house will save them money."
The resulting
residences, such as the home pictured on these pages, are
testament to the fact that being kind to the environment
does not mean sacrificing design, architectural detail or
luxury appointments.
There are nine key concepts that John Cannon Homes, Inc.
considers when building a green home.
Materials/Construction
Process: Use of materials that include recycled and easily
recyclable content, and materials and techniques that produce
less waste when implemented.
Passive Design:
Proper sizing of HVAC systems; incorporation of either cross-ventilation
or ceiling fans; providing shade with overhangs; an outdoor
living space that is open to a minimum of three sides; all
ductwork sealed with mastic compounds; light-colored exterior
paint; a centrally located water heater; and insulated hot
water piping, both above and below ground.
Site and Landscape:
Proper lot choice; native tree and plant preservation,
save and reuse all removed topsoil and stabilization of
disturbed soil: use of plants and trees compatible with
the local environment; irrigation system design capabilities
matched with plant needs.
Pool and Spa:
Use of efficient pool pumps or ionization sanitation systems.
Waterfront considerations:
Use of terraces, swales or berms to slow storm water movement;
low maintenance plants placed between lawn and shoreline;
no turf adjacent to water.
Energy Efficiency:
Use of ENERGY STAR-rated installed appliances (such as refrigerator,
clothes washer and dishwasher); use of sealed and insulated
interior recessed ceiling fixtures: light colored interior
walls, ceiling and light colored flooring where customer
specifications allow.
Water Efficiency:
Use of hot water recirculation systems; low-flow fixtures,
faucet aerators, and low-flow toilets with shut-off valves.
Indoor Environmental
Quality: Use of formaldehyde-free insulation; integrated
pest management; optional central vacuum systems; healthy
flooring; low volatile organic compounds (VOC) paints, sealants,
stains and finishes; attached garage with air barrier between
garage and living space.
Disaster Mitigation:
Installation of impact-resistant garage doors and window
protection; grade slopes away from building on all sides;
fire-resistant roof covering, sealed slab penetration.
At John Cannon
Homes, Inc., both the architectural staff and the team of
in-house interior designers, work to plan the structural
green building components that are integrated into each
clients’ home. They begin with the optimized placement
of the home on the lot and the protection of the existing
vegetation. They minimize the water run-off to provide erosion
and sedimentation control and choose paints, stains and
floor treatments with low VOC's along with ENERGY STAR and
water-saving appliances. Mechanical equipment that will
be installed in the residence is chosen that will provide
the homeowner with quality air, lighting, moisture control
and thermal comfort.
Once the home,
inspected throughout the construction process, is completed,
a Florida Green Build Certifying Agent conducts an inspection
of the home to insure that it meets the standards set by
the Florida Green Building Coalition. Upon approval, the
homeowner is awarded a Green Home Certificate along with
the rating checklist from the FGBC.
"Our home
buyers are encouraged to build green,” says Cannon.
“We provide them with a homeowner's manual that will
help them understand how to operate the house and take care
of the landscaping so that the intended benefits of a green
home are realized for the customer and the earth.”
For more information,
visit
John Cannon Homes, Inc.
6710 Professional Parkway West, Suite 100
Sarasota, FL 34240
941 924-5935
www.johncannonhomes.com
Written by Kristine
Hughes
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