E&H Graduate Finds Green to His Liking

Ask Earl Williams (E&H ’67) about his work and he’ll smile and say, “I’ve got the best job in the world!”

Earl Williams and Associates is a company that seeks to remodel homes with an eye toward energy efficiency, green initiatives and preparation for the golden years. He is a Certified Aging In-Place Specialist (CAPS) and a Certified Green Professional, a bonafide believer in strong communities.

“When I grew up, we could walk to the market, walk to school…it was truly a neighborhood. And I feel like we’re headed back in that direction, and I couldn’t be happier.”

To that end, he believes it’s important to maintain homes that already exist instead of always looking to start over with a brand new home. He points out that there are many innovations in building and home efficiency that weren’t available even 20 years ago, but that doesn’t mean we can’t remodel and bring those innovations in our existing homes.

He points out that we don’t have to redo an entire home all at once. He advises people to be mindful every time they renovate an existing area to make it sounder, more efficient and more likely to be a healthy happy home long into the future.

Green remodeling and the notion of aging in place is what really got him excited about the world of remodeling. He had been a long-term employee with Dupont, and after attending a trade show about remodeling, he caught the bug. His business in Texas keeps him busy, but he’s excited about what he’s able to do for homes and for the families who live in those houses.

He says there are some simple things we can do to make our homes more friendly to older residents, the simplest, he says, being a good toilet.

“You can get a toilet now that is higher off the ground and therefore easier to get down onto and up off of,” Williams says. “They’re more water efficient now. It’s just a more enjoyable experience!”

Earl’s website www.livegreenlonger.com has a lot of great information about the myths of remodeling green, as well as some great examples of work he has done to give more than a pretty face to existing houses. If you look at the list of awards he’s won, you’ll see that feeling you have the best job in the world can get you good attention.