The Highlands at Langley, a housing development, recently received first place in a regional competition for most energy efficient home.
Langley Builders, manufacturer of The Highlands, specialize in Built Green homes which are designed to be energy efficient, comfortable and environmentally friendly.
The competition was put on by the Skagit/Island Counties Builders Association, a non-profit trade association of builders and associates.
Erl Bangston, manager of Langley Builders, explained that as a low-impact development, The Highlands employs features such as rain gardens, bio-retention facilities, narrower streets, open space for public trails, rain barrels and permeable pavement within each of its three distinct neighborhoods. The development contributes no stormwater to the city drainage system; all water is managed on site. This is managed via native vegetation, pervious pathways and rain gardens to manage runoff.
“We put together a kind of community that has not [been done] before,” said Bangston. “This is the first low-impact development in Island County.”
Langley was the first city in Washington State to use the Low Impact Development Manual published by the Puget Sound Partnership, an organization of state agencies, tribes, scientists, businesses and non-profit organizations geared toward regional recovery, and to adopt the Low Impact Development guidelines.
Charlene Arnold, real estate agent for Coldwell Banker Tara Properties, said she and Bangston are proud of the achievement. Coldwell Banker Tara Properties is responsible for sale of homes within The Highlands.
Bangston, who has been an energy efficient builder for over 30 years, said Pacific Northwest residents are becoming more aware of environmental impact and are desiring homes such as those at The Highlands.
He added that, with heat contouring, infrared radiant heat and insulation technology and efficient water preservation and plumbing techniques, the cost of utilities in these homes is also generally below average.
“In the last five years, energy efficient housing has expanded exponentially,” said Bangston.
