When we began Fearrington in 1974, minimizing its environmental impact was forefront in our minds. The energy crisis of that time had forced Americans to make changes in how they lived, and being on the outskirts of a progressive college town, we saw an opportunity to develop a community different from the norm, one that emphasized energy efficiency and left a minimal footprint.

From the beginning, we’ve utilized energy-efficient and environmentally friendly development practices. Homes were sited and designed to take advantage of passive solar energy. They were modestly sized, came with low maintenance siding, and incorporated energy saving methods considered standard today, such as double paned windows, extra insulation, attic ventilation, multiple heating and cooling zones and even fireplace covers. We experimented with active solar homes and our own proprietary residential electronic energy monitors.

Roads were designed to cross streams as infrequently as possible and run with land contours to minimize the need for clearing and grading. Road widths were narrow to minimize their impact (and reduce traffic speed!) and we created miles of walking paths to encourage exercise and provide a ready alternative to the car for short trips.

Several years ago we completed Camden Park, a higher density, single-family neighborhood located immediately adjacent to the Village Center. The neighborhood was built on previously cleared farmland and several original stands of mature oaks remained. They were preserved and incorporated into five parks, in the process guiding and influencing the design of the entire neighborhood.

The Village Center also showcases our environmental principles. The surrounding pastures and open space have been largely preserved. Onsite greenhouses and gardens grow many of the plants used in our outdoor spaces, for floral arrangements, and in restaurant dishes. Gardeners in the Village practice organic gardening and use drought-tolerant, disease-resistant plants. Also, we’ve hosted the Fearrington Farmers’ Market, bringing fresh, local produce to area residents, for 20 years!

STANDARD PRACTICES
The following standard green construction practices occur in all of our new homes:

- EPA Energy Star Certified entry doors
- Locally-made, insulated Low-E windows throughout house
- EPA Energy Star dishwasher
- EPA Energy Star bathroom and ceiling fans
- Termite bait system that does not deposit chemicals into the ground
- Engineered floor and roof trusses (meaning no lumber is wasted)
- Cardboard is recycled from jobsite
- Recycled block used for the home’s foundation
- Locally made cabinet boxes made from an eco-friendly board which is an Environmentally Preferred Product
  (EPP) containing 100% recycled materials
- Closet system is certified EPP and made of recycled content
- Water Sense sink faucets
- UltraCraft Cabinetry, a NC based company that is ESP ( Environmental Stewardship Program) certified.
 

ENERGY STAR HOME OPTION
In 2007 we launched our Energy Star program, and in 2009, over 80 percent of homes built at Fearrington were Energy Star certified, significantly above the national and state average of under 20 percent, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Our Energy Star homes are at least 15% more efficient than homes built to the 2003 International Energy Conservation code (IECC). It also entitles the homeowner to a 5% discount on electric bills.  Certified Energy Star homes have the following features:

- More effective insulation
- Higher-performance windows
- Tighter construction and ducts
- More efficient heating and cooling equipment
- Third-party testing

For more information on Energy Star Homes, visit www.energystar.gov and click on “New Homes.”