The GreenHouse
Find out what we did to our project home to make it more Efficient, Durable, and healthy.

Community Education
Find out more about our workshops, presentations and programs.

Community Resources
Need help choosing products or services for you home or business? We will help find sustainable solutions.

The GreenHouse

The GreenHouse is a demonstration house, renovated to show community residents, builders and remodelers how to use sustainable techniques.  It is a 900-square foot home demonstrating best practices for creating a safer, healthier and more comfortable home. As a  work environment, it shows how a business can efficiently use resources and minimize negative environmental impacts.

Critical Points

• Many older homes in the Lowcountry are inefficient, unhealthy, and lack the structural integrity to withstand the multiple natural threats of this coastal region.
• These homes often have inefficient insulation, windows, wiring, plumbing, and heating/air conditioning systems.
• In addition, design elements have led to many structural problems, such as moisture damage caused by inadequate wall systems.
• As a result, many are in need of renovation.

The GreenHouse has responded by setting itself up as a “living teaching tool." Here, Institute staff conduct tours and educational workshops for residents, professionals, and other visitors. We demonstrate the various choices of durable and resource efficient building materials, and  sustainable solutions to common problems.

To promote healthy living and the wise use of resources at the GreenHouse, we:

• Use and display earth- and people-friendly cleaning and laundry products, and recycled-content plastic and paper household goods
• Demonstrate recycling practices
• Use and promote water and energy conservation measures
• Provide information on various forms of financial assistance for purchasing or renovating a home to support healthy, efficient, and affordable living
• Promote sustainable, healthy yards by using native-low maintenance plants, and demonstrating how to compost, collect rainwater for irrigation, and grow pesticide-free vegetables, herbs, and flowers
• Provide information to visitors on the benefits of all Green House materials, products, and living practices

The GreenHouse has its own certified National Wildlife Federation backyard habitat.

Visitors

Over 2000 visitors have seen the house. 

Groups that have toured our facility include: educational institutions; local and regional home builders and developers; trades groups and associations of the building and remodeling industry; and, realtors and interior design professionals.

Homeowners come alone or bring their contractors.

Sustainability Institute Fact Sheets

Energy-Efficient Appliances

Insulating, Caulking and Sealing