Go Green, Save Green Open House: Tour NHS of Chicago's First Practical Green Home for Sale & Learn Weatherization Tips to Slash Energy Bills

CHICAGO, Feb. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Thursday, February 24, and Saturday, February 26, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS) is hosting its first Practical Green Home Open House, and invites industry partners, affordable housing professionals, and the general public to tour NHS' practical green home.  This event is sponsored by State Farm Insurance Companies. Built with the latest energy-efficient mechanicals, this 100-year-old formerly foreclosed home was saved from demolition and now performs better than new construction. Tour NHS' two-story, 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath single-family home affordably priced and loaded with green amenities.

Green homes don't need to be expensive. On the tour, participants can see the home's many practical green improvements, including cellulose and blown-in insulation and a high efficiency water heater/furnace which direct vents outside to rid the home of potentially harmful gases and aids in fire prevention.  Other green amenities include low VOC paint, dual flush toilets, bamboo flooring, cement board siding, and a permeable brick paver parking pad to conserve water and reduce storm water runoff.

"Practical green is all about energy efficiency, healthy and affordable construction practices," said Bryan Esenberg, NeighborHomes Manager, NHS Redevelopment Corporation, which builds, rehabs, and sells homes to owner occupants.  "There are no secrets, but by adopting our practical green standards for building, consumers can save up to 30% a year on their annual energy costs. NHS also has the tools to help customers purchase and rehab their own home, including affordable fixed-rate lending services and an NHS construction specialist to secure bids and manage your rehab project."

The  following event is open to media:

Established in 1975, NHS of Chicago is a nonprofit housing organization that helps Chicago and Elgin residents Buy, Fix and Keep their homes. NHS Redevelopment Corporation is the real estate development arm of NHS. For more information, call 773-329-4010 or visit www.nhschicago.org.

Established in 1922, State Farm is a family of insurance and financial services companies that serves 80 million policies and accounts. For more information, visit www.statefarm.com.  

SOURCE Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago