WEST RIDGE — When the house at 2102 W. Estes Ave. was built in 1910, it didn't have the air-tight windows, electric vehicle charger or solar panels it's outfitted with today.
But in the 106 years it's been in the West Ridge neighborhood, the home gained a reputation as one of the most environmentally friendly around — and soon it could be yours.
The home is owned by Eric Heineman, who was a senior energy adviser to former Gov. Pat Quinn and who is listing the property in the coming week, he said.
Heineman bought the farmhouse-style home for $249,000 in 2011, around which time he was paying about $50 a month for his electric bill.
By adding a multitude of green features to the house, he quickly traded in his bill for only about a dollar or two a month.
Doug Snower (l.) and Eric Heineman. In 2011, Snower's energy company Windfree installed photovoltaic panels on Heineman's roof. [DNAinfo/Alex Nitkin]
The addition of photovoltaic solar panels, rain barrels, a charging station for his Nissan, dual flushing toilets and more has made the home a local centerpiece on the Illinois Solar Homes Tour and a place of wonder in the community — often the spot of tours for nearby Armstrong Elementary students.
The two-story, 1,700-square-foot home has an oak staircase that leads to all three upper-level bedrooms and its listing on real estate website Redfin touts a modern, appliance-filled kitchen.
Just beyond the backyard sits the barn-esque 2½-car garage complete with what every environmentally conscious city dweller requires: a hay loft and electric vehicle charging station.
According to Heineman, the garage itself is 2,000 square feet.
He's selling the home with the help of his real estate agent, Sharon Kozak of Coldwell Banker.
The two-story barn-style garage, which features an electric car charging station and hay loft. [Redfin]
The open floor plan kitchen features stainless steel appliances. [Redfin]
The living room at 2102 W. Estes Ave. [Redfin]
An updated bathroom [Redfin]
The electric car charging station in the garage [Redfin]
Solar panels on top of the house [DNAinfo/Alex Nitkin]
Certification of the home's green status [Redfin]
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