JOPLIN, MO.--- Will Perkins considers himself an environmentalist at heart.
"In a typical home, you have a great deal of loss of heat," states Perkins.
His goal is a more energy efficient home, starting with structural insulated panels.
"It's just a sandwich where the bread in pieces of board with a foam in between and they're glued," states Perkins.
Energy Consultant, Willy Crane says these extra insulated walls along with a specially designed roof overhang, help the home retain energy.
"This house is going to save about 50% of the normal heating and cooling energy of a normal home," states Crane.
While energy efficient options can cost about 10% more up front, they save energy and dollars in the long run.
"This house should be able to stay around 50 to 40 dollars a month," states Crane.
Crane says compare that to a typical home where air conditioning can cost up to $200 a month.
"Most of the season there won't be any need for heating or cooling," states Crane.
Greentown Joplin General Manager, Catherine Hart says she has seen a growing demand for more energy efficient homes.
"They wanted energy efficient homes. They wanted durable homes," states Catherine Hart, General Manager of Greentown, Joplin.
Hart encourages home builders to consider these options. Perkins adds its our responsibility to care for the environment.
"The less environmental impact I make, means there's more available resources for all of us," states Perkins.
Good Will builders will add solar panels to the home they're building. They plan to use it as a model for building more energy efficient homes throughout Joplin in the future.
"In a typical home, you have a great deal of loss of heat," states Perkins.
His goal is a more energy efficient home, starting with structural insulated panels.
"It's just a sandwich where the bread in pieces of board with a foam in between and they're glued," states Perkins.
Energy Consultant, Willy Crane says these extra insulated walls along with a specially designed roof overhang, help the home retain energy.
"This house is going to save about 50% of the normal heating and cooling energy of a normal home," states Crane.
While energy efficient options can cost about 10% more up front, they save energy and dollars in the long run.
"This house should be able to stay around 50 to 40 dollars a month," states Crane.
Crane says compare that to a typical home where air conditioning can cost up to $200 a month.
"Most of the season there won't be any need for heating or cooling," states Crane.
Greentown Joplin General Manager, Catherine Hart says she has seen a growing demand for more energy efficient homes.
"They wanted energy efficient homes. They wanted durable homes," states Catherine Hart, General Manager of Greentown, Joplin.
Hart encourages home builders to consider these options. Perkins adds its our responsibility to care for the environment.
"The less environmental impact I make, means there's more available resources for all of us," states Perkins.
Good Will builders will add solar panels to the home they're building. They plan to use it as a model for building more energy efficient homes throughout Joplin in the future.
