Aiken County Habitat for Humanity has partnered with WSRC to build a model low-income “green” and environmentally managed low-income home in Aiken County. The home, which is funded by WSRC and its partners, is also being built using volunteers from the Savannah River Site over a period of three or four months. This home is located in the Warren Ridge subdivision in Warrenville.

                                         House # 65 – The “Green Build”

Aiken County Habitat for Humanity and officials from Washington Savannah River Company (WSRC) and Aiken County government joined together on October 19th to Dedicate House # 65: The “Green Build”.  House sponsors WSRC and Habitat partnered together to build the first low-income, energy efficient home in Aiken County.  The home included several “Green” or environmentally friendly and energy reducing features such as a passive solar water heating system.

Ke’Antae Keitt, son of Habitat Homeowner Kenya Keitt thanking the sponsors and volunteers at the “Green Build” dedication ceremony in October.  Pictured from the left: Leo Sain, WSRC President; Homeowner Kenya Keitt; Ke’Antae Keitt; Deb Kladivko, Habitat Board Member; Ronny Young, Aiken County Council Chairman; and Jim Kelley, President, Aiken County Habitat for Humanity.

 What makes this house "Green" ?

Green" Elements:

• Laminated hardwood flooring in the living room, dining room, and bedrooms instead of carpet
• Ceramic tile in kitchen, laundry room and bath instead of vinyl flooring
• Cellulose insulation instead of fiberglass
• Low VOC paint on all walls, ceiling and trim surfaces
• Low maintenance landscaping / drought resistant plants

Energy Saving Features:

• 2 x 6 framing (allows for wall insulation of R-19 instead of R-13)
• Roof Trusses with 24" overhang (shields rooms from sun / heat)
• Aluminum foil sheathing in attic (repels heat build-up in attic)
• Light color roof shingles (repels heat build-up in attic)
• Low - E windows (repels heat from sunlight  from entering)
• ENERGY STAR appliances from Whirlpool
• Passive Solar Water Heating System (supplements electric water heating system)
• Solar Tube Skylight for main bathrrom (provides daylight for windowless room)

Groundbreaking June 14

Habitat & WSRC begins it's first "Green Build"

From left to right:  Keith Wood (WSRC Director of Public Affairs);Chuck Campbell (WSRC Habitat Green Build Project Lead);Bill Poulson (WSRC Executive Vice President);Lessie Price (WSRC Manager - Community Assistance);Ronnie Young (Chairman, Aiken County Council);Jack DeVine (WSRC Senior Advisor and Aiken County Habitat forHumanity Board Member);and Richard Church (Executive Director, Aiken County Habitat for Humanity).

  The "foundation" is laid for Aiken's first low-              Week 2 - "The Excitement  is Building"

             income energy efficient home                                                                          

Week 3 -

By week 3 the floor system is installed, walls have been framed,

trusses have been installed, OSB has been attached to roof and walls and

windows have been installed.

Week 4 -

Shingles are now on the roof, Insulation has been installed and

even the siding installation has begun.

August 3rd, 2008

Homeowner Kenya Keitt installing drywall

For more Information and to learn about volunteer opportunities please contact Eric Lenser, Program Manager at (803) 642-9295, ext. 108 or email eric_lenser@habitataiken.org. For those of you who wish to make a personal contribution, please make checks payable to Aiken County Habitat for Humanity or use the credit card link at the top left side of this page.

Women Build Groundbreaking Ceremony

Aiken County Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its third Women Build home at 327 Lancaster Street in Aiken on November 18th as the first step in constructing another simple, decent home financed and built entirely by women.  The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Habitat Board and staff members, volunteers, city officials and representatives from the Aiken Junior Woman’s Club (AJWC) and Lowe’s who are the national sponsors of the Habitat for Humanity Women Build Program.  The Habitat homeowner partner family, Jennifer and Elijah and their son Elijah II also were present.  The AJWC are the financial sponsors of this Women Build project.  The home is expected to be completed in March, 2008.

The Brunson family (left) joins Habitat volunteers, Aiken City Council Member Lessie Price and representatives from the AJWC, Lowe’s and Habitat Executive Director Richard Church in breaking ground on their new home in November.

           The first wall goes up on December 7th!                           Homeowner Partner Family –

                                                                                                                                       The Brunsons