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In contemporary America, "going green" is as common as seeing a moose in Alaska on your way to work, and the Kenai Peninsula is no exception. Wind turbines and solar panels are being erected all over the peninsula in response to rising utility costs.

But one local family is taking the green phenomenon one carbon footprint further, and building an environmentally friendly home in an environmentally friendly way.

"We had always envisioned building green," said Dr. Henry Krull, who's in the process of constructing a new, eco-friendly house on Poppy Ridge Road in Soldotna.

But the Krulls have gone beyond just becoming energy efficient once the house is built to building it in a green way.

Alaska Wind Industries recently erected a wind turbine atop a 60-foot pole at the Krulls future residence to help power the electrical needs of construction.

Krull said he wanted to put the turbine up as soon as possible so the green house could be built in a green fashion. He is hopeful that his wind turbine will provide one-third to half of his electricity needs.

Krull was first introduced to wind energy at the Kenai Peninsula Builders Association Annual Home Show in April. After researching various alternative energy options, wind proved to be the best, reliable fit for Krull.

The turbine is just one of several ways the Krulls' new home will be eco-friendly.

The frame of the house is made from timber, which is built to last for hundreds of years, Krull said. The house will be fit with structural insulated panels, insulated doors, triple pain windows and an insulated concrete wall will be used for the foundation. These items will work to keep heat from escaping and the cold from entering the home.

"It will basically be a zero leak home," Krull said.

Locally harvested rock, too, will be used to spruce up the home's exterior aesthetics.

Krull said he's looking into using solar power to heat his water, but is still investigating the option and hasn't decided if it's a viable alternative.

As he went further through the design process, Krull said going green became more important. He said it makes more sense to implement energy efficient elements into the home during the building process, rather than attempting to go green after it's constructed.

"We realized that we have an opportunity to do something to have an immediate impact on the environment," Krull said.

With rising costs of energy and a decreasing supply, many people all over the world are pushing for conservation, and Krull said he wants his house to be as energy efficient as possible.

His home is the first to be built in the new subdivision at the end of the road, dubbed "The Timbers." Krull owns eight lots, his house sitting on a 4.5-acre parcel, which are currently for sale. Krull said he hopes his future neighbors will follow suit and construct energy efficient homes, too.

It's a great feeling to build a home in this manner, Krull said. He said once one neighbor goes green, others do, too and soon an entire community is becoming more energy efficient.

"It spreads like wildfire," he said.

Mike Nesper can be reached at mike.nesper@peninsulaclarion.com.