Best Examples of Green Building

The Texas State Fair members asked if Scarlett Custom Homes would build a small netzero energy house to view as an example of the Home of Tomorrow. Approximately 20,000 people learned about Geothermal, in floor heating, solar and reclaimed materials by going through the home during the 3 weeks of the Texas State Fair. As you toured the exhibit you could scan the QRCodes that were located in each Sector for more information on the products and services on display in The Home of Tomorrow exhibit.

This 1910 bungalow was remodeled using Earthcraft Certified guidelines to become a 2,000 sq. ft. home for a couple and their growing family. By adding 1,200 sq. ft. of conditioned space, they are now enjoying their Craftsman-style home with all the charm and character of the original bungalow while taking advantage of "green" building initiatives.

The two-story addition included a new family room, dining area, open kitchen, laundry room, mudroom, master bedroom and bathroom suite. A front porch and small screened porch were added to the existing structure also.

Finishes such as reclaimed oak wood floors, soapstone countertops, custom walnut end-grain butcher block and handmade tile are reminiscent of another era while fulfilling their desire to use "green" products wherever possible.

The biggest improvement was installing a high-efficiency furnace system. This unit, coupled with the Icynene insulation, combined to provide the highest level of energy efficiency to the home's systems.

Other green initiatives incorporated in the bungalow include an engineered flooring system made from recycled materials, a framing system spaced to accommodate the maximum insulation in corners and headers, sealed crawl space with built-in dehumidifier, complete vapor barrier installed, tankless hot water heater, reclaimed pine wood floors, and low VOC paint.

This three-story addition increased the house's size by about a third AND lowered utility costs by about a third!

It 's super insulated. The top two stories were built using 2x6's sheathed with structural insulated sheathing. One inch of spray foam was applied, and fiberglass insulation was installed for a wall rating of R30. Three feet of fiberglass insulation in the attic provides an R78 rating.

The home is heated and cooled with two geothermal HVAC systems powered by three 450-feet deep wells. We added solar photovoltaic cells to the roof.

The green, recycled and re-purposed materials include a refurbished fireplace mantle and a Heat-N-Glo fireplace with insulated doors and outside air inlet. We used bamboo flooring in the kids' bedrooms, a dual flush toilet, and CFL and LED lighting. The pool and spa can be covered for heat retention. The Energy Star, low e aluminum-clad windows with argon-filled glass provide as much natural light as possible. The brick on the exterior is a more green and durable option than vinyl siding. We replaced the damaged top rail and overlaid the deck with Azek. The new PVC blends with the existing wood for a visually seamless appearance.

Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders teamed with Aidlin Darling Design to convert this turn of the century industrial building into a LEED Gold certified mixed use building consisting of two stories of office space and an award winning restaurant Bar Agricole (awaiting LEED platinum certification).

For details on the sustainable strategies employed to make the Matarozzi Pelsinger Building the environmentally-friendly icon it is today, please refer to the illustration to the left.

The Cascade 2714 was built to meet the five main components of sustainability: material reduction, indoor air quality, water conservation, energy conservation and site development. While there were many components of the project that fell into several sustainability categories, the following are just a few highlights.

To help reduce the material usage all the framing was pre-cut before being delivered to the site and all of the carpet in the home is recyclable. To keep the indoor air clean, Quadrant Homes used low-VOC paint and formaldehyde free insulation. To conserve water, Quadrant Homes installed low-flow faucets and shower heads, as well as ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers. For energy conservation, this home was certified under the Northwest ENERGY STAR program meaning it is 15% more energy efficient than a comparable home built only to state code requirements. On the construction site, Quadrant Homes also used low impact development techniques to disturb the environment as little as possible.

This project is a whole house remodel involving all four levels of the home. Green technologies and building practices were incorporated into every aspect.

Site: Deconstruct Instead of Demolish (Resources), Protected Gardens from Construction Disruption (Community),

Foundation/Concrete: Minimum 30% Flyash in Concrete (Resources)

Landscape: Reduced Light Pollution (Community)

Structural Framing and Building: Applied Optimal Value Engineering (Resources), Used Engineered Lumber (Energy, Resources), Used FSC-Certified Wood (Resources), Replaced Single Pane Windows with High Performance Windows (Energy)

Exterior Finish: Use Recycled Content or FSC-Certified Decking (Resources), Use Durable and Noncombustible Roofing Materials (Resources)

Insulation: Install Insulation with 75% Recycled Content (Resources), Install Insulation that is Low-Emitting (IAQ/Health), Inspect Quality of Insulation Installation Before Applying Drywall (Energy), Apply Caulking and Weatherstripping (Energy)

Plumbing: Distribute Domestic Hot Water Efficiently (Energy, Resources, Water), High Efficiency Water Heater (Energy)

Heating, Ventilation & AC (HVAC): Design & Install HVAC System Using Manual J, Manual D & Manual S (Energy), Zoned Hydronic Radiant Heating (Energy, IAQ/Health), Effective Exhaust Systems in Bathrooms and Kitchens (Energy, IAQ/Health)

Finishes: Low-VOC or Zero-VOC Interior Paint, Wood Finishes, and Caulk or Construction Adhesives (IAQ/Health), Environmentally Preferable Materials for Interior Finishes (Resources), FSC-Certified Wood, Reclaimed or Refinished, Rapidly Renewable, Recycled-Content, Finger-Jointed, Reduced Formaldehyde in Interior Finishes

Appliances and Lighting: Energy Star Appliances (Energy), Built in Recycling and Composting Centers (Resources), Energy Efficient Lighting (Energy), Lighting Controls (Energy)

This Cape Cod inspired custom home includes 5,500 square feet of large open living space, 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and unique custom craftsmanship and design elements characteristically fashioned into all Schrader homes. Detailed finishes include unique granite countertops, natural stone, and a mixture of Knotty Alder & Soft Maple cabinetry. Special features include a large open kitchen with breakfast nook, a "dog room" w/dog wash station, kids study room, home theater, and secret passageway between kids rooms.

This MN Greenpath Certified home that includes a Geothermal Heating & Cooling System, High Efficiency Lighting and Windows, Low-Flow Faucets, Energy Star Appliances, Programmable Thermostat, Low VOC paints, High Efficiency Spray Foam insulation throughout the home including under the slab, certified lumber that is planted, harvested, and manufactured to sustainable, responsible standards, and advanced framing techniques which reduces material usage and construction waste. Additionally, reclaimed wood from trees removed from the lot, were used to produce the maple flooring throughout the home and to build the cherry breakfast nook table. Woodwork reclaimed by "Wood From the Hood". We also included in-floor radiant heat on all 3 levels of the home with each floor being independently controlled zones that allow for maximum energy efficiency.

The following is the McCall Homes entry for the Green Building Award:

In 2009, McCall Homes, an Energy Star builder in Billings Montana, built its first Net-Zero home to be raffled off for St. Jude's Children hospital.

This Energy Star home valued at $400,000 is 1873 sq. ft. and has 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Among the energy efficiencies featured in the home are a heat recovery ventilator, a 7kW PV solar system, a heat pump water heater, .2 U factor windows, a ductless heat pump, Energy Star lighting and appliances, LED lighting throughout, and Hardie plank siding.

The St. Jude Dream House was built in Josephine Crossing, a Smart Growth community. In keeping with the principles of a Smart Growth community, the home was positioned on the lot to allow for maximum passive solar heat. The lots in Josephine Crossing are smaller, intentionally allowing for land conservation for parks and sidewalks. Smart Growth communities are also walk-able communities, enabling its residents to be less reliant on vehicles.

As a standard, McCall Homes incorporates Advanced Framing Techniques (where wall panels are constructed in a wall plant, drastically reducing waste), and recycling on the construction site.

This is a recent Santanni Custom Home featuring the latest in technology and energy efficiency. The sustainable features in this home include: Marvin Windows and Patio Doors, radon protection, 2" foam and poly under basement floor, radiant heat in the basement, entire first floor and second floor bath.

A very high efficient heating and cooling system run off of the home's boilers, they also handle the domestic hot water. In addition to having high efficient air conditioners, the home is also insulated with Icynene Foam in the walls and ceiling.

This home offers R 60 attic space, along with a well that features a constant velocity pump for low energy usage. Low water usage plumbing fixtures and toilets have been incorporated into the home along with Silestone counter tops and LP Smartside Siding.

This classic "Alabama Farm House" design features 3 distinct segments, including the primary living quarters, a Bunk House for guests, and a separate cottage, with an additional guest bedroom. The Bunk House is under the same roof as the main living quarters, but separated by a a breezeway positioned to capture the almost continuous airflow up the mountain from the lake. A separate cottage features a large community conference room, an office, and a guest bedroom for lot owners.

The Showcase Home gives special attention to energy conservation and future maintenance costs, including: One-room-deep layout, thus enabling cross ventilation, heating and cooling with a ground-source heat exchange system, hot water heating using by-product heat from the geothermal system, house orientation, porches and overhangs designed to minimize summer sun on windows and doors and maximize solar energy, 11 in. thick walls, allowing for the latest insulation techniques to prevent heat and cold transfer into the building envelope, use of reclaimed early 1900's brick and wormwood maple from an historic pepper curing barn, stone used for fireplaces and exterior to be harvested from the property, use of James Hardie's Artisan product for exterior walls, to minimize future maintenance, porous river rock drives and parking areas to minimize water runoff, capture of rain water for irrigation and water feature, open breezeway to separate portions of the house and harvest cooling breezes off the lake, paint colors, roof material and color schemes consistent with heating and cooling efficiency, and energy saving household appliances, plumbing fixtures, windows and doors.

Located in Pennsylvania, this home was completed in April 2012 and is 100% off the grid. An English-European Farmhouse on a grand scale, sustainably built and very eco-conscious. It sits on the southern side of a hill, perfect for its 30-kW solar and wind energy system. Other eco-friendly amenities include sheep's wool insulation, no-VOC paint and carpeting, ENERGYSTAR appliances, and natural materials such as stone harvested from the 300 acre + building site for the veneer and floor tile. "We like building homes that are healthy for the environment and our clients," says John Witt, president of Witt Construction, Inc., "This is a very organic home." Built using the most efficient windows, doors, insulation, appliances, and heating and cooling systems, this home is extraordinary and self-sufficient.

At Champion we do not offer just a few options but an unlimited amount due to the fact that we custom build our rooms. Our special engineering allows all rooms to be built according to the environment they are in so they are structurally sound. The room you see here was built out of a four inch extruded wall system and a four inch insulated R-19 roof.

The goal for this homeowner was to be able to go outside and entertain their friends and family while still enjoying the beauty surrounded by them. And by building a Champion room they did so.

This room, as in all the projects we manufacture and build, have the green seal and the backing of Good Housekeeping. Energy saving technology is Champion's forethought when it comes to the making of any of our product lines that we offer homeowners today, and are supported by NFRC, Energy Star and AAMA's gold label ratings.

The installation of this room was backed with the same type of quality. Our installers are EPA lead certified renovators and AAMA certified installation masters. This allows us to meet the highest standards set by NSA, NARI and AAMA.

Situated on one of Lake Keowee's premier lots, the house poises itself proudly to take full advantage of the 270 degree sweeping views of the lake and mountains beyond. The challenging topography of the site required a playful, rambling floor plan, which is executed in the Shingle Style, by architect, Stephen Fuller.

The open layout of the rooms lends a spacious feel, with closely connected living porches flooding the inside with light and creating seamless transitions to the outdoors. One of the many great attributes of the house is its outdoor living and porch areas with wood burning fireplace, inlaid wooden ceiling details, phantom screens, bocce ball court , infinity edge hot tub, and fire pit.

The home is complete with radiant heated floors in the garage, terrace level, and upper level. Solar panels provide 80% of the hot water in the house and also serve as the source for the radiant floors. The geo thermal heat pump system is practical and efficient and the Icynene insulation also assures a greater level of efficiency. For safety, the owner also requested a sprinkler/fire prevention system which is housed in the mechanical room.

LEED, Energy Star, or Common Sense?

After researching many options with one of our favorite clients, we agreed to use Common Sense as the standard for this investment project in Paoli, PA. We used our own combination of Energy Star rated products like Marvin Ultrex windows, Rinnai on demand hot water heater, a Buderus fired heating system, Unico air conditioning, and LED, T5 and T8 fluorescents and CFLs for lighting. In addition to the "showy" brand name products that sound good, what made the project most rewarding was our shared goal of minimizing dumpster usage by keeping great original features like the existing trim and doors and restoring the cedar siding.

George Woodward Company new construction of four Platinum rated LEED houses. The new buildings were the first LEED-Home Platinum rated twin houses to be built in Pennsylvania and have been designated the Urban In-Fill Home of the Year in the 2010 Dream Home Awards published in Design Magazine. From a building technology standpoint, the houses are super insulated with bio based foam insulation. Because the houses are completely air-tight, outdoor air is brought in via a highly efficient air exchanger. Mechanical systems consist of geo-thermal/ground source heat pumps with two 275 ft wells per house. Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand. Standing seam aluminum roofs and aluminum clad windows with insulated glass have a longer expected life cycle and allow for future recycling.

Care was taken to avoid the use of materials substantially manufactured or finished with petro chemical products. Sustainable bamboo flooring covers living area floors while bathroom and kitchen floors are ceramic tile. The ceramic tile and many of the other materials used in the house are made from recycled products.

From a site standpoint, rainwater is collected from the roofs for watering the gardens. Driveways are made of pervious materials to retain as much storm water as possible for water table recharge.

Our clients desired a home that was efficient, comfortable and provided good indoor air quality. The original home was deconstructed, with materials being either donated or recycled. SIPs (structurally insulated panels) form the exterior walls providing strength as well as insulation. Interior walls are framed using optimal framing practices to conserve lumber materials. Heating is done through a solar-supplemented hydronic radiant system in an insulated slab. A heat recovery ventilation unit recycles energy contained in stale interior air, transferring it to incoming fresh air. Marvin windows offer aesthetics and performance. Long roof overhangs protect windows from noon-day sun, yet light colored patio tiles reflect light to interior spaces. Open-cell spray foam insulation in vaulted ceilings completes a superior envelope. Low VOC paint benefits air quality, while hardwood and tile floors are easier to clean compared to carpet. Fluorescent lighting, along with plenty of windows and skylights, cuts down on electricity requirements. The property's landscaping is native, reducing watering demand. Building all these green features into one home was a satisfying experience, and we truly want to thank the clients for their vision and commitment.

The bath of this 1914 Claude and Stark home would have originally been used by the house servants. Today, it is used when the homeowners host parties and guests. They asked for a fun update that would make it more presentable and comfortable, but with a low impact to the environment.
We recycled the existing fixtures, including a claw foot tub that was sand blasted, painted and re-glazed and push-button light fixtures. The walls and ceiling were gutted and brought to maximum r-value with spray foam insulation. An Energy Star bath fan was installed. Keeping with the green nature of the remodel, it is now serviced by a new on-demand hot water heater.

New Energy Star Marvin windows replace the existing drafty windows (see classic sash horn detail). A simple wall tile and hex patterned floor tile are employed and low VOC paint & finishes. The lav faucet and light fixtures are reclaimed, and a home performance evaluation was completed.

The result is a delightful bath that uses a mirror behind the toilet to provide views of the lake while in the tub; has minimized waste, stays warm in winter, and saves on the client's utility bills.