With global warming becoming such an unavoidably huge issue, pretty much everybody has a soft spot for all things "eco." But that being said, not everybody takes it quite as far as Ted Turner's daughter, Laura Turner Seydel, and her husband did when they decided to built the biggest environmentally friendly home in the United States, the EcoManor.
It wasn't cheaper to build, although with features like recycled water from the showers irrigating the drought-resistant lawn, and rainwater-filled toilets, it will be cheaper to maintain -- 80 to 90 percent cheaper than other homes of similar size in the area. And with beautiful white linen wallpaper (made of recycled newspaper, of course) and natural lighting via solar tubes, the Seydels didn't have to sacrifice any style while they were doing their part to help the environment.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-20-2007 @ 9:21PM
Keith said...
Rigel Greeg didn't mention how big this place is. But if it is a mansion it isn't green by any streach of imagination. I have been Green building since 1992 and rich people don't build green, they add green elements to opulence
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3-20-2007 @ 9:35PM
doc said...
what bullshit...so they have money to flush down the toilet...this is "eco freindly"? if you believe that, your as stupid as they are.
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3-20-2007 @ 9:46PM
William Wollenweber said...
Is it that difficult to build all new housing greener. I would be pleased to hear about a builder that was building revolutionary green housing for the "regular" consumer. I am a consumer of limited means who wants to live in a green, energy effiicent home.
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3-20-2007 @ 11:09PM
Louise said...
Check out Cob and Strawbale building...dirt or rice bags...lots of ways to go green. Solar electric helps too.
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3-20-2007 @ 11:26PM
Amber said...
I am buying energy efficient light bulbs. Does that count? That is about as much as I can afford so it is going to have to do.
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3-20-2007 @ 11:49PM
Michael said...
a real couple...working hard to diminish their carbon impact on a budget...
www.urbangreenproject.com
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3-20-2007 @ 11:57PM
Chris said...
Why look at this in such a negative light? Yes, they are wealthy and could have probably built a huge mansion with all the standard construction and conventional energy sapping heating/AC/appliances. At least they are implementing some green technology. Most people in that income category are happy to cram their houses with home theaters, big appliances, a TV in every bedroom, then drive their gas-pig Suburbans and SUVs and call it a day. Why not start at the construction level, use less energy, supply some energy back into the power grid (with solar generated power)? I applaud
their efforts rather than be so judgemental.
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3-21-2007 @ 1:00AM
judy jacobs said...
beauFull home very expensive, what I can't figure out WHY THE USE OF ROMEX FOR WIRING?? the better homes of less cost make the use of ENT (pipe or plastic or flexible). would not have cost much more and is safer is the long wrong.
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3-21-2007 @ 2:15AM
Amanda said...
Big flipping deal, you want something green in your house? Grow some marijuana under a sun lamp. That'll make ya a real Democrat.
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3-21-2007 @ 4:09AM
Allie said...
1. There still is NO proof of "global warming"
2. I give her one month before she starts screaming for more hot water!
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3-21-2007 @ 1:32PM
Peter said...
The reality is that in order to create a greener United States, the federal government is going to have to get involved in a BIG way, very much unlike the approach of the current administration (and every administration before it). While individual consumer efforts are laudable, without serious government subsidies for solar, wind and other sources of alternative energy, without increased taxes on gasoline at the pump, and without a large, government-mandated increase in fuel efficiency of all new cars sold in this country, we're basically just spitting into the wind.
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3-22-2007 @ 1:02AM
Chris said...
Allie, your ignorance is breathtaking. You are like the people who still insist the earth is flat. As for your hot water comment...what makes you think they don't have hot water, you moron!
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3-24-2007 @ 2:36PM
sandra ramos said...
Poor Allie! You should be embarressed at your ignorance! Why be mad at people because they're rich? They obviously have a positive attitude on life and are trying to do their part on being green. They just have more money to do it with. Most of us could live green and still be comfortable, its just getting back to basics and a simpler way of life. Most of us that don't have money make ourselves miserable by worrying about keeping up with the Jones's, live life simply and without envy, it does'nt do anything but make you miserable by envy'ing others for what they have.
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3-24-2007 @ 3:36PM
kathy said...
"Rigel Greeg didn't mention how big this place is. But if it is a mansion it isn't green by any streach of imagination. I have been Green building since 1992 and rich people don't build green, they add green elements to opulence"
I agree with Keith.
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3-24-2007 @ 3:45PM
Michelle said...
While this all sounds fine and dandy, I can't help but wonder how many trees had to die in order for them to have such beautiful flooring? Lets kill the trees, but save on water. Makes sense to me.
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3-24-2007 @ 3:45PM
Rollando said...
I'm not really impressed. One can only dream and hope of ever "living green." The majority of us do not have financial resource to make such a major commitment. I would love "live green." But to be able to afford such a house comparable in size and accessories that I have now, makes it cost prohibitive. As Amber said in post #5, she can only afford to buy energy efficient light bulbs. That is just about what I can afford to do. It will have to do. The government, Federal and State. will need to get deeply involved with this issue.
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3-24-2007 @ 3:49PM
Truth said...
C02 Levels rise as a result of Global warming, it doesnt cause it. This whole Frenzy is Bogus and another scare tactic by politicians as a way to control people. Keep them preoccupied with sensational exploits and you have control.
http://www.co2science.org/scripts/CO2ScienceB2C/subject/s/summaries/solarmwp.jsp
research youself and dont be a sheep.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/11/05/nosplit/nwarm05.xml
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3-24-2007 @ 4:48PM
Carol said...
I think several of these comments show ignorance. Like the eco-snobs putting down the rich for building green and minimizing the effort. Like the person who wants tips for a "regular consumer" (are you living under a rock?) Like the one who still denies global warming. You can build green, without giving up comfort and without building a straw bale house. If she build a energy hog of a house you'd have no comments. I applaud her for her efforts -- they help -- and especially because her role in the spotlight made her the brunt of the ignorance-- and those who can stop being jealous could also applaud her.
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3-24-2007 @ 4:50PM
Neutron said...
What I loved was everyone practically worshiping Al Gore at the Academy Awards ceremony ... when he maintains three huge homes with huge pools heated year round, drives SUVs etc. ... not to mention the fact that the roomful of people at the Oscars event are the most conspicuous consumers on the planet! If they all move into 2000 square feet homes and start driving Corollas, then maybe they'll earn the right to talk to the rest of us about "global warming".
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3-24-2007 @ 4:52PM
goplies said...
#9 Uninformed with your ignorance showing again:, must be tough. To all the Right wing deniers of global warming, more scientists state global warming is a fact. Where is the evidence it does not exist? The melting of glaciers. The coastal land eroding. Keep denying :)
As for the rest of us grounded in reality, we will do what we can to go green. Yes, we have replaced our light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs and they seem to last longer :).
Good luck to those who work on going green, while the righties melt in their untruthiness :)
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