HomeSource east tennessee is dedicated to helping individuals, families, and seniors in Knoxville and the East Tennessee region find affordable and sustainable housing.
But, as a lot of people will agree, high utility bills, expensive home repairs, and the use of nondurable and unhealthy building materials can create financial stress and possible health issues to homeowners and renters on a limited or fixed budget.
That’s why we use green building practices to provide cost-savings options without compromising quality of life. The advantages of green building practices include:
- Lower utility bills
- Conservation of energy, water and other resources
- Healthier and safer homes for occupants
HomeSource east tennessee also offers expertise as Energy Consultants with highly qualified staff members with training and certifications in the following areas:
- USGBC LEED for HOMES AP
- RESNET Certified HERS Rater
- USGBC LEED for HOMES Green Rater
- EarthCraft Homes Technical Advisor, House Builder and Renovation
- BPI’s Building Analyst, Envelope and Heating Professional
- Healthy Homes Specialist ‐ National Center for Healthy Homes and the National Environmental Health Association
- Lead‐Based Paint Risk Assessor, and Inspector, State of Tennessee
Our HomeSource east tennessee staff has the knowledge and training to provide services as energy auditors or energy raters.
An energy audit is an inspection and analysis of the way energy is used in a building to determine if some of it is being wasted. If there is wasted energy then the system can be studied to determine if there is a way to make changes so that energy is conserved.
A blower door test measures the air leakage of a house.
A Home Energy Rating measures a home’s energy efficiency. Energy ratings are useful for either existing homes or newly built houses. These ratings help homeowners by providing a list of options that may be used to improve the home’s efficient use of energy. This can help a homeowner make upgrades to improve energy efficiency. The energy rating scores can also help homebuyers shopping for a new home compare the energy efficiency of homes they are considering for purchase.
A duct test shows if there are any gaps in the ductwork that could reduce its efficiency.
Explore the following websites to learn more about Green Building Practices and Energy Services:
- The U.S. Green Building Council, including LEED for Homes certification: http://www.usgbc.org/
- General information about HERS energy ratings and assessments: http://www.resnet.us/
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification program designed to help energy consumers save money and protect our climate: http://www.energystar.gov/
- EarthCraft, the Southeast’s standard for green building: http://www.earthcraft.org/
- Building Performance Institute, Inc. which provides the standards for energy efficiency retrofit work: http://www.bpi.org/
- Healthy Homes Specialists, National Center for Healthy Homes: http://www.nchh.org/
- Tennessee’s Lead Hazard Program: http://www.tn.gov/environment/solid-waste/solid-waste_lead-hazard.shtml
Information about products to help you conserve energy and water:
Examples from HomeSource east tennessee’s Project Profile
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES
Photo by Ken Block
714 S. Chestnut Street
718 S. Chestnut Street
722 S. Chestnut Street
730 S. Chestnut Street
732 S. Chestnut Street
LEED for Homes-Project Team Leader
East Knoxville, 2008
Five affordable houses
3 bedroom/2 bath (1,250 sq ft) houses
Certified LEED for Homes – Gold
Certified ENERGY STAR v2.0
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES
Photo by Ken Block
418 Houston
422 Houston
LEED for Homes-Project Team Leader
East Knoxville 2008
Two affordable housing
3 bedroom/2 bath (1,250 sq ft)
Certified LEED for Homes – Gold
Certified ENERGY STAR v2.0
SENIOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING – CONDOMINIUMS
Photo by Ken Block
Blueberry Ridge
LEED for Homes-Project Team Leader
North Knoxville (Powell) Community
30 units, 2 bedroom/1 bath
Senior Affordable Housing
100% visitable – 33% AVM Accessible
Certified LEED for Homes – Platinum
Certified ENERGY STAR v2.5
AFFORDABLE HOUSING – CONDOMINIUMS
Photo by Ken Block
Dutch Valley View
LEED for Homes-Project Team Leader
Inskip Community, Knoxville
6 units, 3 bedroom/2 bath (1,150 sq ft)
Affordable housing; 100% visitable, 33% AVM
Accessible
Certified LEED for Homes – Gold
Certified ENERGY STAR v2.5
AFFORDABLE HOUSING – APARTMENTS
Photo by Ken Block
MinVilla Manor gut-rehab
ENERGY STAR-HERS Rater
Downtown Knoxville, circa 1911
57 unit, Efficiency, 1 and 2 bedroom
Affordable housing
National Register of Historic Places
Certified ENERGY STAR v2.0
AFFORDABLE HOUSING – APARTMENTS
Photo by Ken Block
Helen Ross McNabb
ENERGY STAR-HERS Rater
South Knoxville, new construction
8 unit, multi-family
Affordable housing;
Achieved ENERGY STAR certification
Certified ENERGY STAR v2.0
For more information on HomeSource east tennessee’s energy consulting services, please contact Ken Block at (865) 637-1679 ext 229 or kblock [at] khp.org.