Green Options & Features

This is a sample list of some of the green products and features we commonly install in our homes, why they are important and how they work. All of the components of a house are important and should come together to form a whole-home, green system. This type of green system can help you save money and keep your family healthier, while also reducing your carbon footprint and environmental impact.

Energy Star Homes – The Energy Star certified appliances and features in our homes, including microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, HVAC, furnaces, lights and fans, create energy savings of 20-30% over standard homes and reduce carbon output. Our homes are inspected by a third-party HERS rater and tested to make sure that that they are in strict compliance with the federally-regulated Energy Star program, and are certified as Energy Star homes. Testing includes examining lighting and appliances, conducting a ‘blower door test’ and duct testing. Blower door and duct testing are accomplished by using sophisticated measuring instruments to test how much air escapes from a house or from an HVAC system.

• Advanced Insulation System - Sample advanced insulation systems that we have custom-designed for our customers consist of doors and windows that surpass Energy Star qualifications, keeping the home warmer in winter and cooler in summer and significantly reducing energy costs. They also include a high efficiency 94% HVAC system with heat pump and Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) for fresh air intake, and SEALECTION Agribalance (a non-toxic spray-in foam that fills and insulates all nooks and crannies in the home). Agribalance insulation can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 45%, reduces moisture that leads to mold and mildew, prevents toxic off-gassing, and seals out dust, allergens and pollutants. These features combine to create significant cost savings in the day-to-day running of our homes.

• Low/No VOC Paints and Adhesives - Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and adhesives help reduce allergens and harmful off-gassing to create a healthier home for you and your family. Indoor VOC levels can be 1,000 times the outdoor levels of VOC and can be dangerous because of the harmful petrochemicals that off-gas during and after the construction period. Using low/no VOC paints and adhesives reduces the amount of petrochemicals introduced into the house by up to 50%.

• Pre-Finished Floors – Using pre-finished floors helps reduce the amount of dust produced during home construction and eliminates the need to bring harmful floor sealants like poly-urethane into the home and helps to improve the overall air quality of the home.

• Central Vacuum System - A central vacuum system with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter vented to the exterior helps to reduce the amount of dust and allergens in a home. HEPA filters remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter or more, meaning that the air coming out of the filter is cleaner than the air you normally breathe.

Solar Hot Water Heater -  A solar hot water heater reduces the amount of energy necessary to heat water for your family. Hot water production is the third most costly energy expense in your home. (The solar hot water heater also comes with a tax credit.) A solar hot water heater, combined with numerous other energy efficient features can help to reduce a home’s carbon output by over 5 tons per year. Geothermal Heating and Air Conditional System:  A geo-thermal system uses the earth’s constant core temperature to heat and cool your home, keeping your house comfortable while reducing your carbon output and saving money on heating and cooling costs over the long term. Green Recycled Carpets and Carpet Padding- These carpets are made of recycled and recyclable fiber. The carpet installation process and components add to the overall improved air quality of the house. Pre-Finished Siding- Pre-finished HardiPlank siding with Azek trim used in a home’s exterior requires low/no maintenance.

• Eco-Friendly Driveways:  By using porous concrete and creating leaching areas within driveways to absorb run-off, we can reduce the amount of by-product that reaches sewer systems and the Chesapeake Bay.

• Green Practices During Home Construction – We strive to recycle over 75% of leftover construction materials and waste during the construction of our homes.

• Radon Abatement System - A pre-installed radon abatement system can further assure that a house maintains good indoor air quality. Radon is a harmful carcinogen that is a heavy gas that can collect in basements without detection and harm your family’s health, often without your realizing it.