Alabama Power Service Organization to build green Habitat home in five days

For the 22nd time, volunteers with the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) Magic City Chapter and numerous partners will construct a Habitat for Humanity Home in the Birmingham area for a deserving family.

Construction of the house in the Grayson Valley community in east Birmingham begins today and is expected to be completed in just five days, with a dedication planned for this Friday, June 6.

Volunteers are building a “green” EarthCents home with many energy-efficient and environmentally friendly features.

“This opportunity is a great way for APSO to partner with Habitat and other agencies to bring positive change in our communities,” said John Hudson, Alabama Power’s vice president of Public Relations and Charitable Giving. “Through APSO, our employees and their families are empowering families throughout the state by their dedication to service.”

“Thanks to the partnership between Habitat and APSO, the Dorsey family will experience the dream of home ownership,” said Charles Moore, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham. “The installation of green features means direct savings on utility costs, which will help with keeping housing costs affordable throughout their lifetime.”

Several features of the Dorsey’s EarthCents home will produce savings on electricity. These include Energy Star appliances, lighting and controls as well as energy-efficient heating and cooling and a hybrid hot-water system.

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 for irrigation. The home will also have low-flow faucets, shower heads and toilets. Low-toxic paints, caulking and adhesives will make the home cleaner and healthier. Construction materials will be recycled where possible, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

“This project will show how a green EarthCents home will improve energy efficiency, and put money back in the homeowner’s wallet over the long run,” said Robin White, a green building specialist at Alabama Power and past chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council, Alabama Chapter. “This energy-efficient home will be healthier for the family and have less of an impact on the environment.”

The Dorsey’s homesite is at 5040 Vernon Street in the Grayson Valley community. From downtown Birmingham, take I-20 East/I-59 North. Keep left at the fork, staying on I-59. Take exit 134 for AL-75/Roebuck Parkway. Turn left at Roebuck Parkway, which becomes Parkway East/Center Point Parkway. Turn right at Springville Road and continue on to Old Springville Road. Turn right on Vernon Parkway and take the first right at Vernon Street. 5040 Vernon Street is on the left, near the rear of the subdivision.  

Building Habitat homes is just one of hundreds of projects supported by APSO, a nonprofit 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 and Alabama Power’s charitable giving efforts, go to www.powerofgood.com. To learn how your home can be more energy efficient, visit www.alabamapower.com/earthcents/. For information about Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham, go to www.habitatbirmingham.org.