What Makes This House Green and Sustainable ??

What is GREEN all about ?

A lot of talk and advertising has used the term "green" lately. Our primary focus in attempting to make a home green and sustainable is directed at making the structure more energy efficient. If a home uses less power, and can produce its own pollution free power, then recurrent use of resources will be reduced for everyone.  Next in line is choice in material. When we can find a natural product that has the potential of renewing itself during the lifetime of the home, we use it as much as possible. Natural woods are a wonderful resource if they come from a sensibly managed source. Recycled products and products with a substantial recycled content are high on our list of choices. Our customization options allow home owners who may have specific requests for "green" products an input channel to the design process.

Contact Betty Cross for details relating to your new home in Bingham Ridge.

What makes these homes green ? A better way to build.

THE ENVELOPE

Air tight insulation systems

Spray foam insulation in walls, roofs, and exposed floors

Sealed crawl spaces

Dehumidified crawl spaces

Cold attic construction - no load on ducting

Third party inspections during construction

Blower door testing

Duct pressure testing

Direct supervision during envelope construction

DESIGN

Passive solar design and site orientation

Site integrated home design

Selective criteria in trim lumber choice

Engineered roof overhangs

Daylight construction techniques

Lowered energy usage reduces carbon emissions

Energy Star certification

HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS

High SEER HVAC systems

Pleated air filters

Engineered fresh air intakes

Substantially reduced allergen and mold contact

Programmable thermostats

Heat pump upgrades available *

Upgrade to geothermal heating and cooling available *

MATERIAL CHOICES

Cement board exteriors

Mira tech composition trim materials

Low voc paints *

Custom cabinetry finished with water base lacquer

Advantech sub floors

All wood floors *

High r-value warp free door systems

Low flow plumbing fixtures

Composite deck materials

Extensive use of stone, tile, and natural materials

Local distance tracking of building materials used as a choice criteria

SPECIAL SYSTEMS

Integrated photovoltaic electrical systems w battery back up

Integrated solar hot water systems

Central vacuum rough ins

Central bath exhaust systems

Rain water collection and irrigation systems *

High efficiency appliances

"Watt Stopper" switching systems *

Compact fluorescent lighting as a standard

LED lighting fixtures in traffic locations *

Borate termiticide *

 *  Denotes items currently being integrated or upgrade option.

Carbon Counts  ! !

AVOIDED CO2 PRODUCTION

Average Annual U.S. Household Electricity Use:  10,660 kWh / year

Average Energy Star Home Electricity Use:          7,462 kWh / year

kWh Avoided in Energy Star Home                   3,198 kWh/ year 

Emissions Factor                   1.58 pounds CO2 / kWh

3,198 x 1.58=                         5,053 pounds CO2 avoided/yr.

5,053 / 2.14=                          2,361 pounds coal saved 

            OVER 2.5 TONS OF  CO2 IS AVOIDED WITH AN ENERGY EFFICIENT ENVELOPLE THAT USES  30% LESS ENERGY FOR HEATING AND COOLING

            OVER 1 TON OF COAL IS SAVED WITH AN ENERGY EFFICIENT ENVELOPLE THAT USES  30% LESS ENERGY TO HEAT/COOL

See what changing a light bulb can do to reduce emissions