Known as a builder of fine classic homes in the area for the past 22 years, Flick isn't afraid to experiment with the newest technology. He develops many of his techniques while building homes for himself. Currently, he is constructing a 1,400-square-foot beach house in Santa Cruz where he is using soybean insulation and solar electric panels.

"I build historic-looking homes and unique homes that fit into the neighborhood. They are also energy-efficient, but in the last few years more people have been requesting enironmentally friendly materials and solar," Flick said. "This can be a little bit more expensive, but the people I work with want to do the exceptional. Going green is also related to energy-cost savings."

In fact, residential construction is undergoing a revolution in how houses are built, thanks to the trend of green building and to customer requests. According to the National Association of Home Builders, "green building" is broadly defined as building homes in a way that conserves resources and helps reduce environmental impacts and energy consumption through innovative design, construction and operation features.

A recent National Association of Home Builders green-building conference highlighted techniques and technology in the industry that have resulted in homes today that are twice as energy-efficient as they were 30 years ago. With an increasing number of homebuyers demanding that environmental issues become a top priority in new construction and remodeling efforts, the industry is responding by developing home-building ideas and initiatives for all mainstream builders. There is also a focus on demonstrating the true market value of green building to potential homebuyers by identifying the economic and environmental benefits.

Flick believes his customers look at their homes as long-term investments, so they want their homes to be as comfortable and as safe as possible. Many of the homes Flick builds are in the more-than-8,000-square-feet category. In addition, lots are rare and expensive to acquire in the area.

"Part of the focus on green building is driven by higher-end homes, as compared to a move-up home, for instance. People want durability, so we use slate roofs and copper. Our building philosophy is to use as much natural material as possible, since redwood and copper hold up better," said Flick, who indicated the longevity of the home is important and reflects on the reputation of the builder.

When houses are as large as some of the ones that Flick builds, PG&E bills can soar. "People want to get costs under control, and that is what sparks this focus on green building. It's the way of the future with energy-efficient windows, floor heating systems, denser insulation and solar electric panels," Flick said.

Flick has already put in three systems using solar electrical panels, two of the largest ones in Saratoga. Thanks to rebates from the state of between 30 and 40 percent on the cost of the insulation and materials, these projects can be cost-effective in the long term as future energy savings are calculated. The system Flick has installed in his Santa Cruz home will cost about $15,000, and he expects to get back about $5,000 in rebates.

The solar electric panels are designed to stockpile electricity for future use. Electricity generated by the sun is put back into the grid, and PG&E gives credit back so that when there is a cloudy day, there is never any downtime. Flick describes it in relationship to a sailboat that stores energy in a battery for use when needed. With solar electric panels, the electrical silicon layer inside creates its own electricity and pumps the power back into the meter for later use if needed.

"Solar electric panels actually spring the electric meter back, and you get credit from PG&E. In addition, electric panels are slim and can be completely hidden. Some are designed to look like roof tiles that blend into the roof like shingles. When you use a flat-panel grid, you can't see it from the street," Flick said.

In addition to solar, the No. 1 request from consumers is for heated floors that provide an even, comfortable heat. "Warm floors have become very popular in the last couple of years. I am putting in heated floors in most of the new homes I'm building. It can be more efficient to use with consistent heat and no blowers or heaters. The heat comes through the floor whether it's wood, carpet or tile. It's the most wonderful feeling and also allows you to control the areas of the house," Flick said.

Flick's beach house in Santa Cruz is also serving as a guinea pig for the installation of soybean foam insulation. Flick has begun to get a lot of requests for formaldehyde-free materials, and soybean insulation fits the bill. In addition to helping eliminate moisture problems in exterior wall cavities and improving indoor-air quality, the product is designed to significantly reduce utility bills.

"It's completely environmentally friendly. You can actually eat it. I'm convinced this is the way to go, since it seals up every crack and provides a better wind barrier," Flick said. "I believe the industry will grow to accept green-building materials. As efficiencies and costs come down, you will be seeing more builders and even production home builders using solar panels and other green-building practices."

With builders like Flick actively involved in developing and picking out the newest technology to save energy costs, green-building practices are becoming more than just a trend—they are on the way to becoming an integral part of the building process.

For more information on green-building practices, visit the National Association of Home Builders website at www.nahb.org.