BIRMINGHAM – The Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) Magic City Chapter, along with numerous partners, will join with Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity to build APSO’s 20th Habitat home in the Birmingham area May 1-7 in the city’s Wylam community. The energy-efficient “green” Habitat home is one of only a handful in the nation to be built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards in just a week’s time.

“Our volunteers are thrilled to be leading this green Habitat ‘blitz’ build,” said Carla Roberson with Alabama Power’s Education and Volunteer Services office. “This project underscores our company’s efforts to promote energy efficiency, but it will also mean real savings for homeowner Nicole Wallace and her family.”

“Habitat is pleased to once again partner with APSO on this blitz build to help a family with affordable housing,” said Charles Moore, president and CEO of Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity. “The utilization of green measures will keep costs down for the family when they move in, and for years to come.” 

The Wallaces’ home will contain several features that can help save on electricity. These include Energy Star appliances as well as energy-efficient heating, cooling, lighting and hot-water systems.

Other elements in the design of the home and yard will help reduce water usage. For example, the home will have a rain harvesting system so that rainwater can be collected and used for irrigation. The yard itself will feature native plants that require less watering than non-native species.

The home will be constructed using low-toxic paints, caulking and adhesives. Construction materials will be recycled wherever possible, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

“This home is much more than just energy-efficient. It will also help save water, be healthier for the family, and have less of an impact on the environment,” said Robin White, a green building specialist at Alabama Power and past chair of the U.S. Green Building Council, Alabama Chapter. He said the project will showcase how “going green” can improve a home’s energy efficiency, increase its value and help the homeowner save money over the long run.     

The Wallaces’ home site is at 4905 Michigan Ave., in the Wylam Oaks subdivision of Birmingham. From downtown, take Interstate 20/59 South to Lloyd Noland Parkway (Exit 119A). Turn right off the ramp, and left onto 36th Street (at the McDonald’s). The road will turn into 9th Court. Turn right at Erie Street and take the first left onto 8th Avenue. The road becomes Michigan Avenue. The house site is on the left.

Building Habitat homes is just one of hundreds of projects supported by APSO, a nonprofit membership organization with 10 chapters across the state. APSO volunteers devote their time and resources to support education, protect the environment and improve Alabama communities.   

For more information about APSO, or to learn ways to be more energy efficient, visit www.alabamapower.com. For more information about Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity, go to www.habitatbirmingham.org.