EVHA Winners Sorted by Company
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Able Development Corp. DBA Able
Homebuilders |
Award: 2002 Silver Winner |
Able Homebuilders' 1,856-square-foot home in Sioux City features R-40 ceilings and careful air sealing for energy efficiency. All ductwork is contained in conditioned space, a practice that eliminates wasted energy that occurs when ducts are in unconditioned spaces such as attics or garages. The home qualified as a MidAmerican Energy Advantage new home and was given five stars by the Energy Star for Homes program. |
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Photo not available |
AF Sterling |
Award: 1998 Silver Winner |
A. F. Sterling Homes has been in business for 10 years and typically builds 300 move-up homes per year. Prices range from $154,000 to $400,000 per home. This home in Tucson, Arizona cost $87 per square foot to build, excluding land. Energy efficient features include R-30 ceiling insulation, R-19 to R-24 walls, a mechanical/passive ventilation system, a programmable thermostat and 12 SEER air conditioning equipment, and a Therma-Tru insulated entry door. To meet homebuyer demand for increased window area, energy-efficient vinyl windows are placed on southern exposures and windows on western exposures are limited. Waste reduction techniques include using wooden I-beams, precut and factory assembled studs and roof trusses, and finger-jointed studs in all non-bearing walls. Pre-engineered structural steel and foam panels were used for exterior wall framing. Recommendations for energy efficiency improvements are made by Volt VIEWtech, Southwest Gas' contractor, using RateVIEW, software approved by the U. S. Department of Energy. The pre-construction computer analysis is followed by inspections during framing and upon completion to ensure that the upgraded standards have been met. A. F. Sterling Homes participates in the Arizona Home Energy Rating System (AzHERS) and the Energy Advantage PLUS (EA+) program sponsored by Southwest Gas. The Southern Arizona Home Builders Association awarded A. F. Sterling Homes with its highest honor, the Builder of the Year Award. |
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All America Homes of
Gainesville, Inc. |
Award: 2005 Silver Award |
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All America Homes of
Gainesville, Inc. |
Award: 2003 Silver Award |
All American Homes of Gainesville (Florida) has been in the home building business for 17 years and currently builds 10 homes each year. This 3,644-square-foot custom home was built for $94 per square foot, excluding land. In addition to a tight building shell, this home contains many energy features to enhance its performance. Ductwork is completely contained in conditioned space and is sealed with mastic over foil tape. A 2.4-kW solar photovoltaic array provides electricity to the home. The hydronic heating system uses energy provided by the solar hot water system with natural gas back up. A variable speed air handler contributes to the SEER rating of 14+ for the air conditioning system. Radiant barrier roof decking reduces solar heat gain through the attic and large roof overhangs reduce solar gain through windows. High window transoms located beneath the roof overhangs provide daylighting without contributing to solar heat gain. The home features a solar-powered attic fan for energy-free ventilation, a solar water and pool heater (which also contributes to space heating), and solar-powered low-voltage patio lighting. About 85% of the lighting wattage in the home is fluorescent. |
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American YouthWorks/Casa Verde Builders |
Award: 2005 Gold Award |
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Amhome USA, Inc. |
Award: 2000 Silver Winner |
Amhome USA has been operating for 13 years and builds approximately 24 homes per year. This 2,534-square-foot home in Tampa, Florida, was built for $39 per square foot, excluding land. Amhome USA's insulating concrete form home combines the strength of concrete with the insulating capabilities of foam. Insulated concrete forms create R-37 walls while nine inches of EPS foam between the I-joist roof rafters provide R-50 roof insulation. Exterior doors are rated R-15. Building-shell insulation with a high R-value is augmented by radiant barrier material at the roof to reduce cooling loads. Special solar shading screens on windows further reduce unwanted solar heating. To prevent air infiltration, insulating concrete form panels are sealed together and to the concrete slab with adhesive and foam sealant. Special foam gaskets separate the top plate from the concrete bond beam. An expanding foam sealant is used to prevent air infiltration at the roof apex, where the rigid foam insulation lodged between the roof rafters comes together. A high-efficiency heat pump provides heating and cooling and a 40-square-foot solar hot water system provides about 80 percent of the household's hot water. The builder conducts a preconstruction energy analysis to choose cost-effective energy features. |
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AndersonSargent Custom Builder,
LP |
Award: 2006 Gold Award and Builder of the Year
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Applegren Construction, Inc
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Award: 2006 Silver Award
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Photo not available |
Arkin Homes, Inc. |
Award: 1997 Winner |
Awarded for the Giovannoni residence located in Great Falls, Virginia. Arkin Homes has been in business for 10 years and typically builds 10 move-up and 10 custom houses per year. BEST PRACTICES This house was the first U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR house in the nation. Energy Star homes are designed to use at least 30 percent less energy than similar homes built to current Model Energy Code (MEC) standards. The house was also given a Five Star rating by the Virginia Home Energy Rating Organization (VHERO). Arkin Homes guarantees that heating and cooling costs will not exceed $135 per month for first two years for this home which has 7,200 square feet of conditioned space. Upgraded features include air infiltration detailing which result in 0.2 natural air changes per hour (ACHnat), as determined by blower door testing. In order to ensure good air quality, a central ventilation system, sealed combustion furnace (92 percent AFUE), and direct-vent water heater were installed. Other energy efficiency upgrades include mastic-sealed ducts with R-8 insulation, a 12 SEER air conditioner, walls framed with 2x6's at 24 inches on center and insulated with R-21 batts, R-38 ceiling insulation, and low-e, gas-filled windows Arkin's marketing materials emphasize the comfort, health, and environmental benefits resulting from improved energy efficiency. One of the materials provided to potential buyers is a list comparing their energy efficiency features to typical construction. |
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Arkin Homes, Inc. |
Award: 1996 Winner |
PRODUCTION HOME GREATER THAN 2,001 SQUARE FEET in the MODERATE CLIMATE REGION is awarded to Arkin Homes, Inc. of McLean, VA, for the Bellemont model in Hilbreck Springs in Annandale, VA. Arkin Homes, Inc., has been in business for 10 years and builds 30 move-up and custom homes per year. Best Practices Virginia Home Energy Rating Organization, Inc.'s (VHERO) 5 star energy rating identifies this home as the most efficient it can be and enables consumers to compare the energy efficiency of different homes. The home uses 2x6 exterior wall framing, with two-stud corners, insulated with R-23 blown cellulose, R-38 attic insulation, and low-e, argon-filled windows. The heating system is a 92 percent efficient direct vent-sealed combustion gas boiler with sealed ducts. Domestic water is supplied from a direct vent gas water heater. The home includes a make-up air system. Marketing materials provide detailed explanations of energy-efficiency techniques. Sales representatives are trained on the energy features and the comfort benefits associated with energy efficiency. Arkin Homes recently finished the first designated U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Home. |
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Artistic Homes |
Award: 2002 Silver Winner |
Artistic Homes' 1,045-square-foot home in Albuquerque features 2" x 6" studs spaced 24 inches on center--a technique that allows more insulation in the wall cavity than the standard 16 inch on center framing. Walls are insulated to R-23 and the ceiling to R-38. All ducts are sealed with mastic and contained in conditioned space--a practice that dramatically improves energy efficiency. The in-floor hydronic heating system is supplied by the water heater and a 12 SEER air conditioner keeps cooling costs low. A ventilation system introduces fresh outdoor air intermittently. The builder participates in the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America program. |
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Artistic Homes |
Award: 2002 Silver Winner |
Artistic Homes' 1,045-square-foot home in Albuquerque features 2" x 6" studs spaced 24 inches on center--a technique that allows more insulation in the wall cavity than the standard 16 inch on center framing. Walls are insulated to R-23 and the ceiling to R-38. All ducts are sealed with mastic and contained in conditioned space--a practice that dramatically improves energy efficiency. The in-floor hydronic heating system is supplied by the water heater and a 12 SEER air conditioner keeps cooling costs low. A ventilation system introduces fresh outdoor air intermittently. The builder participates in the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America program. |
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Aspen Homes of Colorado, Inc. |
Award: 2007 Gold Award
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Earning the honor of 2006 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year after just six years in business, Aspen Homes is outstanding in its field. "We stand behind our homes…each comes with a written energy guarantee" that the home will perform 40 percent better than a home built to code minimum, says company president Rob Sabin. With a year's worth of data collected on over 100 homes, heating energy savings have averaged more than 60 percent. Perhaps the greater-than-expected savings is due in part to the homeowner's appreciation of the value of energy efficiency. The company explains energy-efficiency features to each homeowner at the preconstruction meeting and during a pre-drywall walk-through. Further questions can be answered during one of two walkthroughs scheduled before home completion or the two post-closing walkthroughs. |
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Aspen Homes of Colorado, Inc. |
Award: 2006 Gold Award
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Aspen Homes of Colorado, Inc. |
Award: 2006 Gold Award
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Aspen Homes of Colorado, Inc. |
Award: 2005 Gold Award |
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Aspen Homes of Colorado, Inc. |
Award: 2005 Silver Award |
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Aspen Homes of Colorado, Inc. |
Award: 2004 Silver Award |
Aspen Homes of Colorado has been in business for three years. This 2,070-square-foot home was built near Denver for $47 per square foot, excluding land. The EVHA judges pointed to Aspen Homes's strong commitment to energy efficiency, as was evident in the company's follow-through with customers and its energy bill guarantee program. The company uses bio-diesel trucks and purchased a block of wind power for a subdivision. The winning home features blown-in-batt insulation combined with one-inch foam sheathing to provide a wall R-value of 20, with careful attention paid to air-sealing details. All ductwork is located in conditioned space and sealed with mastic. A 92 percent AFUE furnace provides high efficiency heating, and mechanical ventilation ensures fresh air for occupants. All of the company's homes are built under the ENERGY STAR, E-Star Colorado, and Built Green Colorado programs. |
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Barco Realty and Development Company |
Award: 1998 Silver Winner |
Barco Realty has been in business for 43 years and typically builds five houses per year including two custom homes. Prices range from $225,000 to $300,000 per home. Construction costs to build this home in Plymoth, Massachusetts were $90 per square foot, excluding land. Energy efficiency features include insulated concrete form (ICF) technology that provides R-26 thermal performance and reduces air infiltration through walls and electrical outlets; Icynene expanded urethane foam insulation in the steel-framed attic to reduce air infiltration from plumbing chases, lighting fixtures, and all other ceiling penetrations. A heat recovery air-to-air heat exchanger provides ventilation and a geothermal heat pump with a desuperheater provides domestic hot water. Marketing materials include newspaper articles promoting this home's use of ICFs and a geothermal heat pump. Brochures from Commonwealth Electric's (COM/Electric) Comfort Homeä Program explain the benefits of this program, including guaranteed energy use through a written warranty. Participation in the Comfort Home program qualifies home buyers for an energy efficient mortgage. |
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BBH Enterprises, Inc./Enviro
Custom Homes |
Award: 2002 Silver Winner |
Enviro Custom Homes's 3,705-square-foot inner-city home is constructed of structural insulated panel (SIP) walls and ceiling. In addition to an energy-efficient building envelope, a geothermal heat pump provides very efficient heating and cooling and a heat recovery ventilator efficiently introduces fresh air. A desuperheater that extracts waste heat from the heat pump is combined with solar panels to provide 100% of the domestic hot water. Part of the home's electric needs are provided by solar panels that are attached directly to the standing-seam metal roof. Most of the lighting in the house is fluorescent, a feature that has an added benefit of reducing the homeowner's cooling needs. The builder, in conjunction with the local power company, offers a guaranteed heating and cooling bill of less than $2 per day. |
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BBH Enterprises, Inc./Enviro
Custom Homes |
Award: 2000 Silver Winner |
Enviro Solar Homes-a division of BBH Enterprises-has been operating for 15 years and builds approximately 12 starter and luxury homes per year. This 2,696-square-foot house was built near Dallas for $120 per square foot, excluding land. Enviro Solar Homes' award-winning entry features an energy-efficient building shell consisting of low-E, argon-filled wood windows, structural insulated panel (SIP) walls and vaulted roof, and Icynene spray foam insulation in flat ceilings and around the band joist (to seal and insulate this notoriously hard-to-weatherize area). Special care is taken to seal all joints and penetrations against air infiltration. A two-speed ground-source heat pump provides efficient heating and cooling while a ground-source heat pump water heater produces energy-efficient domestic hot water. The lighting package consists entirely of energy-efficient fluorescent lamps and features many attractive lighting fixtures that can accommodate the lamps. The standing seam metal roof contains a low-profile, integrated photovoltaic system for solar-generated electricity. The builder uses passive solar orientation techniques to take advantage of winter solar heat gain and properly sized overhangs minimize unwanted heat gain. A heat recovery ventilator and the use of low-VOC paints and finishes help achieve a high level of indoor air quality. Enviro Solar Homes helps promote energy awareness through participation in TU Electric's E-plus residential energy-efficiency program, an E Seal-certified new homes program. |
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BBH Enterprises, Inc./Enviro
Custom Homes |
Award: 1999 Silver Winner |
BBH Enterprises, Inc. has been in business for 14 years and builds 12 homes per year ranging in price from $85,000 to $400,000. Their 1,450 square foot award-winning home in Dallas, TX was built for $64 per square foot. Energy efficiency features of this city infill project include the use of 2 x 6 studs spaced 24 inches on center and an optimum value engineering (OVE) framing technique that reduces lumber use and allows extra room for insulation in cavity walls and at corners. A geothermal system provides efficient heating and cooling and a desuperheater uses waste heat from the geothermal system for water heating. About half of the permanent lighting fixtures in the home are compact or traditional fluorescent. The home was extensively sealed against air infiltration. Rubber gasketing was used under all sill plates and around windows and doors. All sheathing joints were taped and all wall penetrations are caulked or sealed with foam. BBH Enterprises paid special attention to providing a healthy indoor environment for this home's occupants. A heat recovery ventilator brings fresh air indoors while recovering heat from outgoing conditioned air. Low-VOC paints are used throughout the home. The home is oriented to take advantage of solar heat gain in the winter and is shaded by overhangs and deciduous trees in the summer. Stamped concrete floors under the south-facing windows provide thermal mass for heat storage in winter, and TechShield Radiant barrier roof decking keeps attic heat gain minimal. BBH Enterprises guarantees that heating and cooling bills will be less than $1 per day, based on an annual average. The company works with TU Electric's E-Wise Plus new home program, an E Seal certified company, and are in the process of becoming an ENERGY STAR builder. |
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BBH Enterprises, Inc./Enviro
Custom Homes |
Award: 1999 Gold Winner |
BBH Enterprises has been in business for 14 years and builds 12 homes per year ranging in price from $85,000 to $400,000. This 4,200 square foot award-winning home in Fairview, TX was built for $78.74 per square foot. Energy efficiency features include the use of Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) walls and Icynene spray foam insulation for exterior (non-SIP) garage walls and the ceiling. All wall penetrations and cracks are carefully sealed with caulk or foam. To maintain a high level of indoor air quality in the airtight home, two heat recovery ventilators bring fresh air into the home and recover heat from exhaust air. Low-VOC paints are used throughout the home. A geothermal system provides efficient heating and cooling. Waste heat is recovered by a desuperheater for water heating. All permanent lighting is compact or traditional fluorescent fixtures and yard lights are powered by photovoltaics. The home is oriented to take advantage of solar heat gain in winter, and overhangs and trees provide shading from the summer sun. Stamped concrete flooring acts as storage for winter solar heat gain that can be released during cooler nights. The company works with TU Electric's E-Wise Plus new home program, an E Seal certified company, and are in the process of becoming an ENERGY STAR builder. |
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BBH Enterprises, Inc./Enviro
Custom Homes |
Award: 1997 Winner |
Awarded for the Westbrook residence located in Fairview, Texas. Enviro Custom Homes has been in business for 13 years and typically builds six starter and three custom houses per year. BEST PRACTICES Innovative features in this home include a two-zone geothermal heat pump with a desuperheater used to heat domestic hot water with waste heat generated during the cooling mode. Structural insulated panels (SIPS) are used for walls (R-23) and ceilings (R-32). A 90 percent efficient heat recovery ventilator, with a desiccant wheel for dehumidification, is also installed. Electrically operated clerestory windows, which are otherwise inaccessible, allow passive cooling. Stay-in-place foam concrete forms are used for construction of below-grade walls. An active solar system is installed to heat domestic hot water. Other energy efficiency features include gas-filled, low-e windows, air sealing, locating all ducts in conditioned space, and the use of blown foam at the rim joist. Resource efficiency features include the construction of a rainwater and graywater collection system and carpets made from recycled plastic. Attention to passive solar design principles, with the majority of glazing facing south and properly shaded with overhangs and trees, provides heating in winter and reduces solar gains in summer. Before being allowed to bid on jobs, subcontractors must agree to Enviro Custom Home's energy and resource efficiency goals. National press coverage of their houses has eliminated the need for any other marketing efforts. |
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BBH Enterprises, Inc./Enviro
Custom Homes |
Award: 1996 Winner |
INNOVATIVE OR ADVANCED HOME in the HOT HUMID SOUTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to BBH Enterprises, Inc., for the model at Esperanza del Sol, a community of affordable 1263-square-foot houses. The company has been in business for 11 years and builds approximately nine starter and custom homes per year. Best Practices Esperanza del Sol was certified as a TU Electric E-Plus home. TU Electric's program was certified efficient and earth smart under the E Seal program, managed by Edison Electric Institute. This home was the first to meet a utility's E Seal criteria. Esperanza del Sol uses an innovative combination of technologies designed for energy efficiency, reliability, and affordability. Highlights of the technical features include airtightness detailing; passive solar design; geothermal heat pumps; a sealed-floor truss supply plenum; and both exhaust ventilation and a small supply-air fan to maintain positive building pressure in summer. Passive solar orientation and maximum daylighting are integrated into urban infill sites, that take advantage of existing infrastructure. Roof overhangs and deciduous tree shading provide maximum passive solar capabilities throughout the year. Energy efficiency in design includes systems-engineered design, computer simulations by an independent energy engineer to estimate energy use, and indoor air quality design featuring controlled ventilation. A bilingual construction supervisor ensures that everyone on the job site understands the process during construction. Resource efficiency includes Optimum Value Engineered (OVE) framing, use of prebuilt floor trusses, cellulose insulation made from recycled newsprint, no-formaldehyde carpet made from recycled plastic bottles, low-flow plumbing fixtures, recycling of construction-site waste, and specification of materials from new-growth forests. Signs and brochures advertise the low cost of operating the homes. A warranty assures owners that heating and cooling costs are guaranteed to be less than $1 per day on average. The homes are eligible for energy-efficiency mortgages (EEMs) and financing assistance through the Dallas Affordable Housing Partnership, thus housing families that earn $25,000 per year and up. |
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Best Homes a Division of Davis
Homes LLC |
Award: 2001 Gold Winner |
Best Homes, a division of Davis Homes, LLC, has been in operation for six years and builds 560 homes annually. This 3,012-square-foot house was built near Indianapolis for $26 per square foot, excluding land. It is one of 560 homes built to the same specifications. The building envelope includes low-E, argon-filled windows, R-16 walls, R-38 flat and vaulted ceilings, and two inches of rigid foam slab perimeter insulation. Best Homes uses an independent energy management firm to inspect every home it builds. It guarantees the energy bills for each home and is considering lowering the guar- anteed cost because it has yet to pay a claim against the warranty. |
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Bigelow Group, Inc. |
Award: 2001 Gold Winner |
Bigelow Group, Inc., has been in the home building business for 27 years and builds 150 homes each year. This 1,450-square-foot home was built near Chicago for $60 per square foot, not including land. The Bigelow Group helped control construction costs on this affordable house by using optimum value engineering techniques such as 2" x 4" studs spaced 24 inches on center. Fiberglass batt insulation coupled with foam sheathing was used to create R-19 walls. The tight design was augmented by a continuous exhaust fan for ventilation. The company uses the REM/Design software to analyze cost-effective energy efficiency measures. By creating a high-efficiency building shell, placing all ducts in conditioned space, and using moderately efficient appliances, the builder can offer a three-year guarantee that heating bills will be less than $300 annually |
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Bigelow Group, Inc. |
Award: 1997 Winner |
Awarded for a townhouse located in Round Lake, Illinois. Bigelow Homes has been in business for 23 years and typically builds 200 starter units each year. BEST PRACTICES Energy efficiency features include the use of R-7 sheathing on 2x6 walls with R-19 cavity insulation. Low-e, gas-filled windows and air infiltration details such as gasketed drywall are also used. Due to air sealing measures, Bigelow's houses have low natural ventilation rates. Controlled ventilation is proved by a continuously operating exhaust fan. A combination hydronic/forced air heating system circulates water from the water heater to a forced-air coil, eliminating the need for a separate furnace. Bigelow Homes guarantees that annual heating costs will not exceed $200, or they will pay the difference. A typical monthly bill for heating is $16-20. They also sponsor a contest to determine the customer with the lowest annual heating bill. Bigelow employs an energy technician who is kept on-site to ensure that energy efficiency features are properly installed. To reduce construction waste, drywall and aluminum scrap is recycled. A wall section is used in the sales office to demonstrate some energy efficiency features and customers are given a walk-through prior to drywalling, in part to point out any energy-related details that become hidden in the walls. Bigelow conducts homebuyer seminars in which Energy Efficiency Mortgages (EEMs) and energy efficient construction methods are discussed. EEMs allow for a larger mortgage on energy efficient houses, recognizing that utility bills will be lower and ultimately provide a net monthly reduction for utilities plus mortgage. Buyers are given a manual describing proper operation and maintenance of the heating, cooling, water heating, and mechanical ventilation systems. The manual also provides specific information on moisture control. |
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Big Horn Builders, Inc. |
Award: 2006 Honorable Mention
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Bill Eich Construction Company |
Award: 2000 Gold Winner |
Bill Eich Construction Company has been building homes for 25 years and builds ten to fifteen homes per year. The company built this 2,942-square-foot home in Iowa for $85 per square foot, excluding land. Bill Eich Construction Company's award-winning custom home features a frost-protected shallow foundation that, at just 16 inches deep, is insulated around the perimeter with R-10 rigid foam. Two inches of rigid foam insulation located twelve inches below the slab further insulate the foundation. Walls are insulated with Icynene spray foam plus one inch of rigid foam board. The home is air sealed with spray foam insulation, taped foam sheathing joints, and the airtight drywall system. Flat ceilings are insulated with Icynene and blown cellulose for a total R-value of 53 while cathedral ceilings are insulated with Icynene to R-37. Ductwork was designed in accordance with Manual J calculations, the industry standard, and is insulated with fire-rated duct insulation and Icynene and sealed with mastic. Most permanent lighting fixtures are fluorescent. An exhaust-only ventilation system provides a constant supply of fresh air to ensure indoor air quality. A boiler delivers hot water and heat via in-floor radiant heating at the main floor and forced air hydronic heating at the second floor. The home's 320-square-feet of south-facing glass coupled with a concrete floor and 12 inches of gravel under the slab (above the insulation) collect and store solar heat for release at night. The company conserves resources by using engineered wood studs at door and window openings, laminated veneer lumber beams, and engineered I-joists. A horizontal-axis washer saves water resources and water heating energy. |
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Blue Sea Construction Company |
Award: 2005 Silver Award |
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Bob Buckner Homes |
Award: 1998 Silver Winner |
Bob Buckner Homes has been in business for 20 years and typically builds four custom homes per year ranging from $200,000 to $300,000 each. This 3,000 square foot home was built in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at a cost of $75 per square foot, excluding land. Energy efficient features of this home include an R-45 ceiling, R-5 slab perimeter insulation, mastic-sealed ductwork, low-e windows, special air-sealed recessed lights, and a tight building envelope. Ductwork testing indicates leakage of approximately 27 cfm @25 Pascals of pressure compared to leakage of more than 800 cfm found in some residential systems. A geothermal heating and cooling system is used with a desuperheater for domestic hot water. A third-party energy inspector examines the house at several phases of construction to ensure energy efficiency features are properly installed. Waste reduction techniques include framing exterior wall corners and interior partition "T"'s with fewer studs to allow better insulation and using cellulose insulation with more than 75% recycled material content. Marketing techniques include a guarantee that energy costs for heating, cooling, and water heating will not exceed $62 per month at current rates. If the guaranteed amount is exceeded, three times the difference will be paid to the homeowner. A comfort guarantee states that Buckner will replace the "system" at no cost if the homeowner is dissatisfied with the thermal comfort of the home. Bob Buckner Homes informs buyers about EEMs to allow a greater loan amount, recognizing that lower monthly utility bills more than offset higher monthly mortgage payments. Videos and testimonials from satisfied customers are used to highlight energy efficiency benefits. Bob Buckner Homes participates in the EPA Energy Star program and the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company's Geothermal Home program. This home received a Five Star home energy rating. |
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Bob Ward Companies |
Award: 2007 Silver Award |
Bob Ward Companies has focused on energy efficiency for 14 years and has been an ENERGY STAR partner since the program's inception. Remarks company president, Linda Veach, "Buyers deserve homes that are energy efficient, comfortable, kind to the environment, and affordable. Voluntarily acting on these beliefs helps us develop brand awareness and loyalty even before we sell a home." This home was the company's attempt to take energy efficiency "to a new level." Because it typically targets the starter and move-up home market, the company had to carefully select high-tech efficiency features that could be incorporated affordably. "Our homebuyers, who are very cost-conscious, are pleasantly surprised to know that there can be a complete package of energy-efficient features in a home in their price range. For them, this is real added value," says Veach. |
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Bruce Davis, Inc. |
Award: 2001 Silver Winner |
Bruce Davis, Inc., has been in business for 27 years and builds 15 homes per year. This 1,460-squarefoot house was built near Washington, DC, for $57 per square foot, excluding land. Insulating concrete form (ICF) walls rated at R-22, exten- sive air sealing, R-10 slab edge insulation, and R-38 attic insulation form the homeÕs energy-efficient building envelope. An instantaneous water heater that eliminates standby losses, a programmable ventilation system, and a 12-SEER air conditioner contribute to the homeÕs ener- gy efficiency. With these features, the company guaran- tees that energy bills will not exceed $60 per month, on average. The builder participates in ENERGY STAR and the PATH program, a public/private Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing. |
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Cambridge Homes of North Carolina |
Award: 2004 Gold Award |
Cambridge Homes of North Carolina has been in business for seven years and builds 150 homes annually. This 2,550-square-foot home was built near Charlotte for $52 per square foot, excluding land. The judging panel commended Cambridge Homes for its strong commitment to promoting energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality. The judges believed that the company's approach to building and promoting energy-efficient production homes will "set an example" for others to follow. The efficiency package includes optimum value engineered framed walls with cellulose insulation, low-E2 windows, and 13-SEER air conditioning. Through the Environments for Living program, Cambridge Homes offers a heating and cooling cost guarantee of $55 per month for the home. The company's HomeSmartz program provides valuable information to prospective homebuyers about each home's efficiency features. AhomeSmartz room in each development is dedicated to educating homeowners about energy efficiency. Cambridge Homes of North Carolina wishes to thank Freddy Skipper of Andy Lewis HVAC, Jim Welsh of Blown Rite Insulation Co., and Sam Magliocca of Keller Building Products |
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Carolina Country Builders |
Award: 2005 Silver Award |
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Carrington Homes, Inc. |
Award: 1996 Winner |
CUSTOM HOME GREATER THAN 2,001 SQUARE FEET in the COLD NORTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to Carrington Homes, Inc., for a 3,363-square-foot home built in Fishers, IN. Carrington Homes is a custom home builder that has been in business for three years and builds six to 10 custom homes per year. Best Practices The winning home received a 5-star energy rating from the Energy Rated Homes of Indiana program. All Carrington Homes are built to a minimum 4-star level. The benefits of a 5-star level are explained and provided as an option to customers. Energy analyses are presented to customers including a return-on-investment statement (normally less than five years). If the customer selects the 5-star program, Carrington Homes guarantee that heating costs will not exceed a calculated amount per year for three years after move-in. In addition, the rating guidelines make the homebuyer eligible for energy-efficiency mortgages (EEMs). The home has a balanced energy package of R-3 on the outside plus R-11 on the inside of the basement walls. The above-grade walls have R-3.5 rigid foamboard on the outside and R-15 dense batts on the inside. The ceilings are insulated to R-42. A 90 percent+ gas furnace and 12 SEER A/C are required for either a 5- or 4-star home. The home is made airtight by caulking and sealing all conditioned air space from unconditioned air space. All HVAC duct seams and joints are sealed. Tests are performed on the home to ensure superior air comfort and air quality. Integrated ventilation systems are recommended when tightness exceeds specific recommended levels (1400 CFM @ 50 Pa. one story, 1100 CFM @ 50 Pa. two story). A third-party energy management firm performs all inspections. An infra-red scanning test, a blower door test, duct blaster testing, and an HVAC balancing check are among the many inspections performed. Heating costs based on a thermostat setting of 75 degrees are guaranteed for three years in cooperation with Thermo-Scan Inspections (TSI). |
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Carter Construction |
Award: 2005 Honorable Mention |
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Casa Verde Custom Homes |
Award: 2000 Silver Winner |
Casa Verde Custom Homes has been in business for three years and builds five luxury homes per year. This 3,200-square-foot home in Albuquerque was built for $79 per square foot, not including land. Casa Verde Custom Homes' award-winning home features walls built from concrete post and beam and insulated with straw bales. Perimeter and subslab foam insulation and R-30 to R-60 ceilings complete the insulation package. All ductwork¾used strictly for the evaporative cooling system¾is sealed with mastic and contained within conditioned space to minimize energy losses. An in-floor radiant heating system supplies and distributes heat. Low-water-usage landscaping minimizes reliance on water in the desert climate. The home received the highest possible rating from the Home Builder Association of Central New Mexico's Green Builder program. Casa Verde is active in its HBA and, through its parent company (New Mexico Owner Builder Center), offers courses on many facets of home building, including energy efficiency and straw bale building techniques. Casa Verde works with a local lender to provide customers with energy-efficient mortgages which, in addition to the debt-to-income stretch, offers a 50 percent savings off the origination or discount fee. |
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Chesapeake Homes |
Award: 1996 Honorable Mention |
PRODUCTION HOME GREATER THAN 2,001 SQUARE FEET in the HOT HUMID SOUTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to Chesapeake Homes in Chesapeake, VA. Chesapeake Homes has been building starter and move-up homes since 1991. Best Practices Chesapeake Homes uses both Virginia Power's Energy Saver Home Plus and the ComfortHome Corporation to provide several value-added services. ComfortHome performs heating and cooling design load calculations and equipment sizing as well as blower door testing, duct leakage testing, airflow balancing, and infrared scanning. ComfortHome provides a three-year guarantee of heating and cooling costs as well as a comfort guarantee. Virginia Power provides construction inspections, a comfort guarantee for two additional years, and marketing support, along with a $10 per month rebate on utility bills. Virginia Power's program is E Seal certified. Walls are constructed of 2x4 framing with blown-in R-15 fiberglass insulation and 1/2 inch foam sheathing. "California" corner framing is used to allow insulation at corners. Ceiling insulation is R-38 blown cellulose. HVAC systems are based on high-efficiency heat pumps with a cooling efficiency of 12 SEER. Programmable thermostats are installed. All ductwork is sealed with mastic, with tested leakage of less than 3 percent of conditioned floor area. The electric water heater is insulated with an additional R-10 blanket and placed on an insulated pad. Chesapeake Homes builds with energy-efficiency products and systems to differentiate its homes and communities from those of its competitors. "We [are] determined to prove that a new equation for sales success existed: PITI + Energy = Sales!" The sales force is trained on site by Virginia Power to ensure a full understanding of energy-efficiency features. One goal of Chesapeake Homes is to educate consumers so that customers are armed with questions to ask at competitors' sites. |
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Chisholm Creek Development, LLC
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Award: 2006 Silver Award
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Chisholm Creek Development, LLC |
Award: 2005 Honorable Mention |
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Chisholm Creek Development, LLC |
Award: 2000 Gold Winner |
Chisholm Creek Development has been in business for four years and builds 12 starter homes per year. The company built this 1,765-square-foot house near Oklahoma City for $56 per square foot, excluding land costs. Chisholm Creek Development's affordable home features R-5 underslab insulation, blown cellulose insulation in the wall cavities augmented by rigid foam board insulating sheathing, and R-45 blown cellulose attic insulation. Each home is caulked to seal against air infiltration. To eliminate a common source of air leakage, Chisholm Creek Development does not specify recessed lighting fixtures. Heating and cooling is provided by a geothermal heat pump equipped with a desuperheater for low-energy water heating. Water heater tanks are wrapped with R-16 insulation and hot water lines insulated for further water heater energy savings. The home underwent a performance test conducted by the local utility (OG&E) to determine eligibility for the utility's residential efficiency program. Each performance test ensures that a home does not exceed a maximum air and duct leakage rate. The utility company then guarantees that electric utility bills for heating, cooling and water heating will be less than $40 per month. OG&E meters and monitors energy usage each month. Chisholm Creek's creative marketing campaign includes a postcard mailing to targeted customers. In addition, the company, along with OG&E, conducts training seminars for Realtors® and appraisers. |
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Christian Builders, Inc. |
Award: 1999 Gold Winner |
Christian Builders, Inc. has been in business for 27 years and builds 70 homes per year ranging in price from $119,000 to $499,000. Their 2,000 square foot award-winning design was built for $72 per square foot. Energy efficiency features include Andersen Millenium low-e, argon filled windows, highly insulating (R-15) exterior doors, 2 x 6 framing that allowed a thick blanket of insulation to be placed in the wall cavity, and a geothermal heat pump for efficient heating and cooling. Christian Builders used an extensive air sealing package to reduce air infiltration. To keep window heat loss low, no windows were placed on the north side of the home. Engineered wood products were used wherever possible. Window frames were made from 55 percent recycled plastics and 45 percent sawdust, the carpet and carpet padding were made from recycled materials, and OSB sheathing was used on the walls. The home included several features to enhance indoor air quality. A heat recovery ventilator will bring fresh air into the home while recovering 80 percent of the heat from conditioned exhaust air. Paints were free from VOCs and low-VOC varnish was used. Cabinets were made from solid wood or wheat board-a particleboard substitute that contains no formaldehyde-based glues. The garage contains a passive ventilation system to reduce risks associated with carbon monoxide. High efficiency appliances such as horizontal axis washers were chosen for the home. Christian Builders, Inc. Energy House was built by the Suburban Northwest Builders Association as a demonstration for the City of Elk River Minnesota Energy Alley program. |
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Chuck Miller
Construction, Inc
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Award: 2006 Honorable Mention
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Chuck Miller
Construction, Inc. |
Award: 2005 Honorable Mention |
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Chuck Miller
Construction, Inc. |
Award: 2004 Silver Award |
Chuck Miller Construction has been in business for five years and builds 10 to 12 homes each year. This 2,149-square-foot home was built near Boise, Idaho for $88 per square foot, not including land. As the EVHA judges put it, Chuck Miller Construction "walks the walk" when it comes to energy efficiency. The judges noted that the company is firmly committed to energy-efficient home construction, resulting in an impressive product from design through homeowner orientation. Walls are framed with 2" x 6" studs using optimum value framing techniques, insulated with spray foam insulation, and sheathed with one-half inch of foam for added R-value. All ducts are contained in conditioned space, with special attention paid to air sealing. A heat recovery ventilation system brings fresh air into the home with little energy penalty. A 92 AFUE furnace, 12-SEER air-conditioning system, and ENERGY STAR appliances complete the energy package. The company participates in the Building America and ENERGY STAR programs. |
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Chuck Miller
Construction, Inc. |
Award: 2004 Gold Award and Builder of the Year |
BUILDER OF THE YEAR: In merely five years of operation, Chuck Miller Construction has built a winning business. The company is committed to efficiency--all of its homes are built to the same strict standards of energy efficiency. Those standards have been developed through careful design, in which features are selected for the energy value they add to a home. The company's success lies not only in the quality of its finished product, but also in its process for continuous improvement. For example, the company: - Uses a systematic quality assurance approach in which energy efficiency details undergo regular inspection; - Fosters relationships with trade contractors and product suppliers; - Encourages employees to participate in continuing education; - Remains responsive to customer's needs, as evidenced by customer testimonials; and - Maintains a website that highlights energy efficiency and the company's pledge to building a high-quality product. Because of Chuck Miller Construction's commitment to energy efficiency and exemplary practices, the company earned the EVHA program's highest honors, 2004 EVHA Builder of the Year. 2004 GOLD AWARD: Chuck Miller Construction, LLC, has been in business for five years and constructs between 10 and 12 homes each year.This 2,800-squarefoot custom home was built near Boise, Idaho, for $86 per square foot, excluding land. Chuck Miller Construction impressed the judging panel tremendously; the panel called the company a great builder that is building great homes from design through [homeowner] orientation. The company's commitment to energy efficiency is evident in this home, which features 2x6 studs spaced 24-inches on center, spray foam insulation with an additional one-half inch of foam sheathing, ductwork sealed with mastic and contained in conditioned space, a condensing furnace, and ENERGY STAR appliances. Chuck Miller Construction demonstrates exemplary marketing and customer relations. All marketing materials, including the company's website, tout efficiency features and include logos of the efficiency programs in which the company participates. All the company's homes are built under the ENERGY STAR and Building America programs. |
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Chuck Miller
Construction, Inc. |
Award: 2003 Silver Award |
Chuck Miller Construction, Inc., of Boise, Idaho, has been in business for four years and builds between six and eight homes annually. This 2,790-square-foot home built near Boise was constructed for $78 per square foot, excluding land. It is one of six homes built to the same specifications. Walls are framed with 2" x 6" studs spaced 24 inches on center and sheathed with OSB and one-half inch of foam for a total wall R-value of 23. Raised-heel roof trusses prevent insulation from being compressed at roof edges and permit R-38 attic insulation to cover the entire roof area. All ductwork is located in conditioned space to increase heating and cooling efficiency. A 92 percent efficient furnace controlled with a programmable thermostat and a power-vented water heater reduce energy consumption. The company participates in the Building America, ENERGY STAR, and Idaho GemStarTM programs. |
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City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department |
Award: 2004 Silver Award |
The City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department has operated for 10 years and constructs between six and 10 homes per year. This 1,500-square-foot home was built for $51 per square foot, excluding land. The judges remarked that this project, which resulted in a very efficient home, should be a model for other city projects throughout the country. The home featured low-E2 windows and 2x6 walls insulated with R-19 fiberglass batts and sheathed with one-inch of foam. Ducts were sealed with mastic and are 90 percent contained in conditioned space; jumper ducts balanced the airflow to individual rooms. To help low-income homeowners buy the energyefficient homes, the city offers its own financing which factors the projected energy bills into loan ratios. New homeowners attend eight hours of free training on home maintenance, including energy conservation. |
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The Cohousing Company
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Award: 2006 Silver Award
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Colorado Dream Homes, Inc. |
Award: 2002 Gold Winner |
Colorado Dream Homes, a three-time winner of the EnergyValue Housing Award, has improved their designs so much over the years that, as EVHA judge Pat Huelman puts it, "I'm not sure how much further they can go." Colorado Dream Homes signature double 2" x 4" walls filled with R-38 fiberglass batt insulation, an insulating concrete form foundation, R-75 ceiling insulation, and triple pane windows provide the basis for the exceptional efficiency of this home. Indoor air quality is ensured in the tightly sealed home by balanced mechanical ventilation using a heat recovery ventilator. Most of the lighting is fluorescent and Energy Star-rated appliances are used throughout. An on-demand boiler that supplies radiant floor heating completes the efficiency package. The builder is a Built Green Colorado member and a builder of ENERGY STAR labeled homes. |
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Colorado Dream Homes, Inc. |
Award: 2000 Silver Winner |
Colorado Dream Homes has been in business for six years and builds approximately 30 move-up homes per year. This 1,514-square-foot home was built for $80 per square foot, excluding land. Colorado Dream Home's custom home features unique, double, 2- x 4-inch wall construction that easily accommodates R-38 fiber glass batt insulation in the 12-inch wall cavity, resulting in deep window wells that customers enjoy. Insulating concrete forms are used for the foundation walls. Other features include 100 percent recycled-content decking, low-E interior paint, and a horizontal-axis washing machine. The air-sealing package features taped housewrap and spray foam and caulking at all utility penetrations. A 95 percent efficient direct-vent natural gas furnace with programmable thermostat adds to the efficiency package. The home is equipped for the next millennium with battery-powered emergency lighting, a propane powered whole-house generator, and a 425-gallon emergency water storage tank that can be operated with a hand pump. An innovative "Talking House" system allows prospective buyers to drive up to the home and tune their car radio to an AM radio station to hear a short informational piece broadcast from a radio transmitter inside the home. |
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Colorado Dream Homes, Inc. |
Award: 1999 Gold Winner |
Colorado Dream Homes has been in business for five years and typically builds 25 move-up homes per year, averaging 1,700 square feet and selling for $155,000. This 1,315 square foot, one-story house was built in Pagosa Springs, CO (in southwestern Colorado, near Durango) for a cost of approximately $80 per square foot, excluding land. Energy-efficiency features include double-paned, gas-filled, low-e windows and an extensive air sealing package including caulking around windows, between floor and exterior wall plate, and at all electrical penetrations. They used double 2 x 4 exterior walls which allowed R-38 insulation to be placed in the exterior wall cavity in addition to the crawlspace and the attic. A high-efficiency (91 AFUE) gas furnace was used and water warms to room temperature in a storage tank before it enters the water heater. All water pipes (located in the crawlspace) were insulated. All Colorado Dream Homes are subject to a blower door test to determine air leakage. The home's design included Therma-Tru doors with an R-value of 5.25 and a double door entry that provides an air lock to prevents outdoor air from entering the home. A computer drafting program was used to create detailed cut lists that help minimize waste. Scrap wood was donated for firewood or used for blocking. This house is an EPA ENERGY STAR house and received a HERS rating of 94 through the Energy Rated Homes of Colorado HERS program. Colorado Dream Homes provides customers with a brochure explaining the features of energy efficiency mortgages (EEMs). |
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Columbia Builders, Inc. |
Award: 1997 Winner |
Awarded for a residence located in Columbia, Maryland. Columbia Builders has been in business for 25 years and typically builds 80 houses per year in the starter and move-up markets. BEST PRACTICES Columbia Builders participates in the Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E)-sponsored Energy Wi$e New Home Program. After passing pre-drywall and post-drywall inspections of energy details like duct sealing, wall insulation, and window glass type, along with a blower door test, BG&E issues the builder a $2,000 rebate along with a "Certificate of Authenticity" that is passed to the home owner. The utility company also provides training to Columbia Builder's sales consultants on how to market energy efficiency in home construction. The 2x6 exterior walls are insulated with R-19 fiberglass batts combined with R-4.5 foam wall sheathing. 2x12 framing of cathedral ceilings allows for R-38 ceiling insulation in cathedral ceilings as well as flat ceilings. In Columbia Builders' market, lending institutions allow up to two percent greater debt-to-income ratio for loans on energy efficient homes. Greater usable floor space is achieved by using horizontally vented furnaces and water heaters, which eliminate the need for flue space within the home. Columbia Builders' employees hand-load the builder's own waste management vehicle which allows for close monitoring of the disposal of unused materials. Material orders for future homes are adjusted accordingly if excessive waste is detected. Columbia Builders' marketing efforts feature their commitment to their "Energy System" approach, a complete, whole-house, approach. While Columbia Builders incorporates architectural features that have extensive window areas because of market demands, they minimize the energy implications of these features by specifying high-performance glazing. |
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Comfort Home Corporation |
Award: 1997 Winner |
With 15,500 completed homes, 2,968 of which were certified in 1996, and another 12,000 homes committed to the program, ComfortHome® provides a technically advanced voluntary residential energy efficiency program to builders through local utilities. Comfort Home® combines proven energy conservation techniques and a solid marketing approach that makes it easy to build and sell energy efficient and comfortable homes. The ComfortHome® Program, with builder guidelines, training, diagnostic testing and marketing support, is backed by a comfort and energy consumption warranty. The warranty guarantees homeowners that during the first year, ComfortHome® will correct any comfort problems that occur. Heating and cooling energy usage is guaranteed for three years so that any longer-term problems can be corrected if they arise. The ComfortHome® process has demonstrated high levels of construction quality and customer satisfaction. In one customer satisfaction survey, 89 percent of the respondents indicated it was important to them to build or buy a home that met ComfortHome® standards and 91 percent would build or buy a ComfortHome® again. The ComfortHome® Program is E Seal approved and is a U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR ally. It has also been commended by the National Association of Home Builders in keeping with the methodology and procedures associated with their Thermal Performance Guidelines program. The program is listed by Renew America, a coalition of environmental groups, as an outstanding energy savings program, and has been recognized at the state and national level for its improvements in energy efficiency. Builders and home owners in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia and Kentucky currently have the opportunity to build and own a ComfortHome® through the following utilities: Pennsylvania Power & Light Company, PECO Energy, Allegheny Power Systems, Virgina Power Corporation, Jackson Electric Membership Co-op, Coweta Fayette/Carroll EMC, and Kentucky Utilities Corporation. |
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Decker Homes |
Award: 1996 Honorable Mention |
PRODUCTION HOME GREATER THAN 2,001 SQUARE FEET in the COLD NORTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to Decker Homes in Lambertville, MI (Toledo, OH market area) for the 3,445-square-foot Demonstration Model Home. Best Practices Decker Homes looks at the construction of an energy-efficient home as a system that consists of framing, insulation, sheathing, doors and windows, air infiltration control, heating and cooling system ventilation, and moisture control. All Decker homes are certified Owens-Corning Thermal Crafted Homes. All Decker customers receive estimates of heating and cooling costs and are urged to track actual costs for comparison. Roof rafters installed on a "raised plate" on top of ceiling joists allow for placement of insulation at ceiling edges. Emphasis is placed on reducing air infiltration by complete caulking and sealing of doors, windows, utility openings, base plates, electrical wiring, and boxes. Decker develops land as well as builds and lays out developments to emphasize east/west streets and solar access. The company also makes an effort not to disturb mature trees. Decker recycles cardboard and scrap lumber on jobsites. Decker used natural gas demonstration features in the home, including flexible stainless steel gas lines, a natural gas generator, and a natural gas vehicle refueling station. Customers are invited to tour demonstration homes for a fee, the proceeds of which are donated to a local charity. |
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DeLuca Enterprises |
Award: 1999 Silver Winner |
DeLuca Enterprises, Inc. has been in business for 30 years and builds 300 homes per year ranging in price from $130,000 to over $1,000,000. This 1,974 square foot home in Bucks County, PA was built for $72 per square foot, excluding land. Energy-efficiency features of this award-winning home include Therma-Tru doors, factory-assembled wall sections with insulating sheathing, and an air sealing package for all sills, foam seal openings, around windows and doors, and utility penetrations. An energy consultant checked the installation of insulation and tested the home and ductwork for leaks. DeLuca Enterprises worked with PECO Energy, an E Seal certified utility, in the design, inspection, and testing of energy-efficiency features. Through PECO's SmartChoice program, DeLuca offers buyers a ComfortHome Warranty. They educate consumers about energy efficiency features through brochures, a model-scale home in their sales center, and advertisements. Homebuyers can pre-qualify for an energy efficient mortgage (EEM) at the sales center. |
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Dewees Builders, Inc. |
Award: 2000 Silver Winner |
Dewees Builders, Inc., has been in business for one and one-half years and builds three $1,000,000 homes per year. Dewees Builders built this 2,721-square-foot house on Dewees Island, South Carolina, for $190 per square foot, excluding land. Dewees Builders' award-winning home features an energy-efficient building shell that consists of Andersen low-E, gas-filled windows, R-19 floor insulation, structural insulated panel (SIPS) walls, and cathedral ceilings constructed of SIPS. A two-speed, two-zone geothermal heat pump with desuperheater provides energy-efficient heating, cooling, and water heating. A makeup air damper introduces fresh air into the home. To enhance indoor air quality further, the builder uses low-VOC paints, stains, and floor coverings. Dewees Builders had to surmount several obstacles to work with the home's surrounding environment: a barrier island. The construction site, accessible only by boat, presented serious waste management concerns. In addition to following the stringent Dewees Island Construction Waste Management Plan, which requires source reduction, reuse, and recycling, the builder chipped waste wood for mulch and driveway surfacing. The builder used resource efficient products such as engineered wood. Other resource-efficient features include a rainwater cistern equipped with drip irrigation for landscaping. Dewees Island is one of a few planned, environmentally conscious residential resorts in the United States today. Because of the island's unique environment, both the island and the builder have received a good deal of publicity in publications such as Coastal Living magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. |
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Distinctive Homes of Southwest Florida |
Award: 1996 Honorable Mention |
CUSTOM HOME GREATER THAN 2,001 SQUARE FEET in the HOT HUMID SOUTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to Distinctive Homes of SW Florida for the Inspiration Home, a superluxury custom home. Distinctive Homes builds five custom homes per year and has been in business for two years. Best Practices The house is certified as a Gold Level home under the Build Smart Energy Management Program sponsored by Florida Power and Light (FP&L). Under the Gold Level, FP&L reviews load calculations and Florida Energy Performance Index calculations. The program also includes inspections of insulation, vapor barriers, and heating and cooling systems, and FP&L pressure tests ductwork. The Distinctive Homes entry is unique in its use of about 30 percent glass on the exterior walls. A 14-foot patio roof shades much of the south- and west-facing glass from direct solar gain while preserving the view. The use of low-emissivity and low-transmission glass on windows and doors allows a high level of energy efficiency. The roof system includes a radiant barrier installed under the sheathing and R-38 blown insulation. Insulation thickness is verified by use of depth gages installed before installation. The home incorporates recessed ceiling light fixtures that are airtight and covered with insulation. Cooling is provided by a two-speed air-conditioning system with a SEER rating of 14.3 at high speed and 15 at low speed. Heat recovery from the cooling system provides much of the hot water required in the home. The home is constructed of cement block with an exterior textured finish and steel interior framing. The roof is made of tile with a 50-year warranty. The combined construction makes for a home that can stand up to the worst weather conditions with low maintenance. Distinctive Homes keeps its construction sites clean as part of the Build America Beautiful program sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders and Better Homes & Gardens. |
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Dominion Building Group, Inc. |
Award: 2000 Gold Winner |
Dominion Building Group has been building homes for seven years. The company typically builds between three and six 5,000-square-foot, luxury homes each year. This 1,876-square-foot home was built near Norfolk, Virginia, for $82 per square foot, excluding land. Dominion Building Group's award-winning home features insulating concrete form (ICF) walls in which concrete is poured between insulating, stay-in-place forms; an unvented crawlspace with ICF walls; and R-38 attic insulation. All ductwork is contained in conditioned space and sealed with mastic to prevent energy loss. Mechanical equipment and ductwork are carefully sized according to industry standards. That practice takes a little extra work upfront but often reduces initial costs if equipment can be downsized. The home is sealed tightly against air infiltration with foam sealant around window and door frames, at the top plates of interior walls, and at all electrical, plumbing, and HVAC penetrations. A Carrier heat recovery ventilator was installed to bring fresh air indoors while recovering heat from exhaust air. A front-loading washer reduces energy and water use as well as the load on the septic system. Dominion Building Group participates in Virginia Power's Energy Saver Home Plus, an E Seal certified new homes program. The company spends a good deal of time educating its customers about the cost-effectiveness of energy-efficiency upgrades. |
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Dominion Building Group, Inc. |
Award: 1998 Gold Winner |
Dominion Building Group has been in business for five years and typically builds three custom homes per year averaging $400,000 each. This 2,800 square foot home was built in Virginia Beach, VA at a cost of $79 per square foot, excluding land. Energy efficiency features include R-21 Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) walls, tinted window glazing, a 12 SEER/7.8 HSPF heat pump, mastic-sealed ducts, a tight envelope, and use of a heat recovery ventilator. R-40 ceiling insulation is achieved by using raised rafters that sit on top of ceiling joists to allow full-depth attic insulation to the exterior of the walls. Particularly in summer, the thermal mass of the concrete walls may result in a somewhat higher effective R-value. Waste reduction techniques include using lumber twice - once for wall bracing and then for interior wall framing. Many fixtures in the master bathroom were reclaimed from the deconstruction of several older homes. Dominion Building Group participates in Virginia Power's E Seal certified Energy Saver Home Plus Program and the Comfort Home Program which provides blower door, duct blaster, flow hood, and infrared scanner testing as well as energy and comfort guarantees. This house was featured in the Tidewater Builders Association's HOMEARAMA in Virginia Beach, VA. |
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Gary W. Dorris, Inc. DBA
Dorris Construction |
Award: 2007 Honorable Mention |
Gary Dorris, president of Dorris Construction, was inspired by this project to alter the way he views home construction. As a builder who strives to "build homes with a focus on quality and an attitude that makes the home building experience an enjoyable one for the customer," Gary Dorris sought to create a home to exceed the customer's expectations. In this case, the homeowner wanted a state-of-the-art green and energy-efficient home, yet the company had not built this type of home before. The builder now realizes that any home can be energy efficient and, with the proper planning and preparation, additional construction costs can be kept to a minimum. |
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DPO Construction |
Award: 1996 Honorable Mention |
CUSTOM HOME GREATER THAN 2,001 SQUARE FEET in the COLD NORTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to DPO Construction for the 6,640-square-foot Pusack home in Iowa City, IA. DPO has been in business for 16 years and builds one to two custom homes per year. Best Practices The home received a 5-star energy rating from Energy Rated Homes of Iowa. The estimated energy consumption of this large home is expected to cost only $1,481 a year or $123 a month. Donald P. Otto of DPO Construction describes his experience building the home as an accomplishment that any builder can duplicate with off-the-shelf methods - appropriate insulation, airtight construction with mechanical ventilation, and performance testing. The home incorporates a high level of energy efficiency in the envelope. Exterior walls are 2x6 studs with R-19 insulation batts, 1-inch foam sheathing, and an exterior air barrier with taped joints. Foam gasketing is used under wall plates. Flat ceilings are insulated to R-44 with blown mineral wool insulation, and sloped ceilings are constructed of 14-inch I-joists with R-38 insulation. Two inches of expanded polystyrene foam and a polyethylene vapor barrier are used under the basement floor, and 2 inches of extruded polystyrene is placed on the exterior of basement wall. Windows are double-glazed with low-e, argon-filled glass. Heating is provided by a 92 percent efficient gas furnace with a two-stage gas valve and multispeed blower motor. Cooling is provided by a 13 SEER air conditioner. The water heater is a power-vented gas-fired model. All HVAC ductwork is thoroughly sealed and a central exhaust ventilation system was installed. Pressurization of various spaces in the house was checked, and a slight positive pressure is maintained in the basement to inhibit infiltration of soil gases. Appliances provided in the home include a highly efficient dishwasher. Fluorescent and halogen lighting dominate. During Iowa City's Parade of Homes 10,000 people experienced the comfort of the home and had the opportunity to learn about the details of energy-efficient construction. All advertising incorporates the company's air quality and energy-efficiency focus. DPO finds that his customers are the best sales force. |
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Edison Electric Institute (EEI) (E-Seal) |
Award: 1996 Winner |
The NAHB Standing Committee on Energy is proud to recognize E-Seal as this year's NATIONAL VOLUNTARY ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM AWARD recipient. E-Seal is managed by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and is an electric utility certification process. E Seal criteria represent the highest level of energy efficiency and environmental responsiveness. Through E Seal certified electric utility programs, this winning program supports new home builders, in their efforts to design, build, and market energy--and resource--efficient homes. At its 1995 convention, NAHB adopted a resolution to endorse voluntary energy-efficiency programs that offer builders more affordable alternatives to mandatory codes and standards. The first program to gain NAHB's support is EEI's E-Seal initiative, launched in 1994 to certify electric utility home construction programs. To earn the E Seal, utility programs must specify house construction that exceeds the Model Energy Code by a minimum of 10 percent to a maximum of 30 percent. In addition, utilities must meet a number of other conditions contained in seven required modules and nine optional modules. These modules address important consumer concerns such as renewable energy, indoor air quality, waste management, water quality and conservation, home comfort, and access to energy-efficiency financing alternatives. Thirty-five utilities have committed to E Seal and plan to seek E-Seal certification. NAHB believes that E-Seal will help builders improve their profit margins, partly in response to promotional benefits, technical and financial assistance, and an increased pool of potential buyers who qualify for energy- efficiency financing alternatives. |
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Emerald Homes |
Award: 2002 Silver Winner |
Emerald Homes award-winning 3,000-square-foot home contains many features, including a $53 per month heating and cooling cost guarantee, that set it apart from the competition. In conjunction with the Environments for Living program, Emerald Homes offers R-19 to R-21 walls, R-30 Cocoon blown cellulose ceiling insulation, mastic-sealed ductwork, and airtight recessed can lights. A 14-SEER air conditioner and 90 AFUE sealed combustion furnace help keep heating and cooling costs low while Energy Star appliances complete the energy package. Fresh air is intermittently introduced into the home by programmable ventilation system. |
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Emerald Homes |
Award: 2002 Gold Winner |
Emerald Homes award-winning 3,000-square-foot home contains many features, including a $53 per month heating and cooling cost guarantee, that set it apart from the competition. In conjunction with the Environments for Living program, Emerald Homes offers R-19 to R-21 walls, R-30 Cocoon blown cellulose ceiling insulation, mastic-sealed ductwork, and airtight recessed can lights. A 14-SEER air conditioner and 90 AFUE sealed combustion furnace help keep heating and cooling costs low while Energy Star appliances complete the energy package. Fresh air is intermittently introduced into the home by programmable ventilation system. |
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Emerald Homes |
Award: 1996 Winner |
COMMUNITY in the HOT HUMID SOUTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to Emerald Homes for the New Territory, Sunset Cove Neighborhood in Houston, TX. The company has been in business for eight years and builds 350 move-up homes per year. Best Practices All garden floorplans are built to Houston Lighting & Power's Good Cents standards with 12 SEER air conditioning sealed ducts, an R-6 insulated sheet metal return duct system, and tinted, double-paned window glass to reduce heat gain. Eighty percent AFUE gas furnaces are used. Homes in the community are oriented with front/rear to north/south. Xeriscaping uses native species not subject to freezing in winter or requiring excessive water during hot months. Trees are planted to increase shading, and brick fences provide a windbreak from prevailing south winds. Emerald consistently uses energy efficiency in all advertisements to differentiate itself from other area builders. Point-of-sale displays and well-trained sales people reinforce energy-efficiency benefits. Salespeople stress the customer's ability to buy more home when purchasing an energy-efficient home. |
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Ence Homes
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Award: 2006 Honorable Mention
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ERA Bob Ward Realty |
Award: 1998 Silver Winner |
Awarded for a townhouse located in Baltimore, Maryland. Bob Ward New Homes Group has been in business for 14 years and typically builds 300 houses per year, including 48 move-up homes. Prices range from $125,000 to $170,000 per home. Cost per square foot to build this 1,400 square foot townhouse was $34, excluding land. Energy efficiency features include a sealed combustion 90% AFUE furnace, a 13.5 SEER air conditioner, low-e, gas-filled windows, envelope air sealing including use of air-tight recessed lights, R-11 interior insulation on basement walls, and R-10 slab edge insulation. The majority of the ductwork is within conditioned space. Duct work in garages and attics is sealed with metal tape, insulated with an R-6 wrap, and then covered with an additional R-13 insulation. Proper sizing of heating and cooling systems is ensured by precise heat loss and gain calculations leading to reduced equipment costs as well as improved equipment efficiency and buyer comfort. Houses are inspected by an energy services consultant at various phases to ensure proper energy-related construction. Techniques include blower door, infrared, and pressure differential testing, which helps detect inadequate flow of return air and potential backdrafting conditions. Marketing techniques include use of displays indicating energy features, awards won, and energy program participation in the sales office and models. Bob Ward New Homes Group staff have received energy-related training from various groups, including the EPA and their energy consultant. Bob Ward New Homes Group participates in the EPA Energy Star Program, Baltimore Gas and Electric's Energy Wise Program, and Countrywide Mortgage's Energy Efficient Mortgage Program. |
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ERA Bob Ward Realty |
Award: 1996 Winner |
ATTACHED HOME in the MODERATE CLIMATE REGION is awarded to Bob Ward, Inc., in Edgewood, MD, for the Tiffany model home. Bob Ward, Inc., has been in business for 12 years and builds 160 starter and move-up homes per year. Best Practices The homes are enrolled in the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) EnergyWi$e Program, which provides prescriptive guidelines for achieving energy efficiency, inspections and random blower door tests, and marketing services. A rebate allowed Ward to recover most hard-cost differences, but he believes that, as an option, the long-term savings pay for the short term investment. All single-family and townhomes built by Ward in Maryland participate in the EnergyWi$e program. Ward uses Energy Services Group, a full-service energy contractor, to test and ensure airtightness detailing. Ward has implemented an all-around approach to envelope efficiency combined with a 93 percent efficient furnace and 13 SEER air-conditioning system in the winning townhome. Ward makes the following energy improvements because of their cost-effectiveness: interior foundation insulation, improved window performance, air sealing homes to minimum leakage levels, and upgraded HVAC system efficiency. Ward takes advantage of Energy Wi$e marketing opportunities. In one case the company offered to pay customers' utility bills for two months to demonstrate the homes' low operating costs. In another case, Ward held a "Lunch and Learn" seminar for 150 participants from the general public and the real estate community. The company uses a model home to display energy features, including a cutaway wall section. Given the high volume of first time homebuyers served by the company, the increased qualifying ratios available with energy-efficient mortgages are a valuable closing tool. |
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Estridge Companies |
Award: 1996 Winner |
COMMUNITY in the COLD NORTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to The Estridge Group for The Estridge Group homes in Carmel, IN. The company has been in business for 28 years and builds 400 homes per year. Best Practices The Estridge Group participates in the Smart$aver® Program sponsored by PSI Energy™. PSI Energy performs design heat loss and gain calculations on each home. Upon completion, an independent contractor performs blower door tests and duct system balancing tests on each home. The Estridge Group has taken advantage of electric utility programs to educate the buying public on heat pumps. Indianapolis Power and Light has a High Efficiency Heat Pump Program that promotes the comfort, reliability, and practicality of heat pumps along with an ElectiComfort Guarantee. The guarantee states that if the customer is not completely satisfied with the comfort of the system, the utility will replace the heating system. Estridge homes include 2x4 walls with R-13 batts, an interior polyethylene vapor barrier, and exterior 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove, closed-cell sheathing with taped joints. HVAC systems include high-efficiency heat pumps or, as an option, 90 percent+ efficient furnaces. Air conditioners are rated at 12 to 13.5 SEER. Homes supplied with gas also use power-vented water heaters. Ductwork in unconditioned space is insulated to R-19. The Estridge Group has used its position as a major production builder to develop accurate material take-off lists for its home designs. It field monitors any material excesses or shortages to reduce waste to a practical minimum. The company awards cash bonuses to subcontractors who identify cost-saving changes or innovations. Estridge trains employees on energy efficiency and other topics by holding retreats every four weeks. Sales staff receive such tools as cross-sections of wall construction and a "Basic Values" video to help explain the company's energy-efficiency and quality construction techniques. Customers and real estate agents receive Construction Knowledge 101, written by the Estridge Group staff, to provide information on the construction process from start to finish. A periodic newsletter informs customers and reminds them of conservation techniques. |
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Fallman Design and Construction |
Award: 2002 Gold Winner |
Fallman Design and Construction's Central Florida Dream Home incorporates cost-effective energy efficiency, passive solar design, drought tolerant landscaping, and a water conserving irrigation system. A solar hot water system and a dehumidifying ventilation system to supply fresh outdoor air completes the resource-efficiency package. The builder worked with the Florida Solar Energy Center, the UFL's Energy Extension Service, and the Lake County Water Authority in designing the home. A unique, duct-in-duct system ensures that 100% of the ductwork is contained in conditioned space--an energy feature that can prevent significant amounts of wasted energy. To get the message of energy efficiency across to the home buyer, Fallman Design and Construction prominently features the Energy Star logo on their marketing materials--even on the side of their trucks. "The Green Room" in their model home contains educational materials on energy and resource efficiency. |
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Ferrier Builders, Inc.
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Award: 2007 Gold Award
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The mission statement of Ferrier Custom homes, which has been in the business of building energy-efficient homes since 1982, pretty much says it all. Ferrier's mission is "to advance, communicate, and facilitate energy-efficient and sustainable building practices to the home building industry and into the homes and structures we build." The goal for this home was to build a high-performance home featuring sustainable materials and near-zero energy consumption that an average family could afford. To accomplish its goals, Ferrier Custom Homes won't compromise when it comes to quality. "Subs and suppliers who are properly aware of energy-efficient practices and procedures are the only ones we will consider using on our projects," says company president Don Ferrier. |
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Ferrier Builders, Inc.
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Award: 2006 Silver Award
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Ferrier Builders, Inc. |
Award: 2005 Gold Award |
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Fireside Home
Construction |
Award: 2007 Silver Award
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"Our customers' satisfaction is the most important thing we do," says Robert Burnside, company president. "It's amazing, once our customers see [energy efficiency details during the construction process] and understand, they become one of our greatest sales tools." According to the company, one of its keys to success is that it builds the same energy-efficiency techniques into almost every home. "Consistency in design and execution... insures that we exceed our energy-efficiency goals time and time again. We also use the same tradespeople... so they know our system and our expectations." |
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Fireside Home
Construction
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Award: 2006 Silver Award
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Fleetwood Homes of Oregon |
Award: 2002 Gold Winner |
Fleetwood Homes factory-built, 1,084-square-foot home near Portland, OR contains energy-efficiency features not often found in standard homes. Walls are made of 2" x 6" studs spaced 24" on center, a technique that allows more insulation in the wall cavity than standard 16" on center construction. Special air sealing details include sealing with caulk or expanding foam sealant around plumbing supply and drain lines, electrical wiring penetrations, heating register boot penetrations through the floor, and at exterior wall bottom plate. The home was tested for airtightness by the Oregon State University Extension Energy program, The builder has been a Super Good Cents/Natural Choice Manufactured Home Program participant since 1987. |
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Fleetwood Homes of Oregon |
Award: 2002 Gold Winner |
Fleetwood Homes factory-built, 1,084-square-foot home near Portland, OR contains energy-efficiency features not often found in standard homes. Walls are made of 2" x 6" studs spaced 24" on center, a technique that allows more insulation in the wall cavity than standard 16" on center construction. Special air sealing details include sealing with caulk or expanding foam sealant around plumbing supply and drain lines, electrical wiring penetrations, heating register boot penetrations through the floor, and at exterior wall bottom plate. The home was tested for airtightness by the Oregon State University Extension Energy program, The builder has been a Super Good Cents/Natural Choice Manufactured Home Program participant since 1987. |
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Gabriel Enterprises, Inc. |
Award: 1999 Gold Winner |
Gabriel Enterprises, Inc. builds 55 new houses per year, with an average house having 1,500 square feet of living space and costing $98,000. This 1,853 square foot entry was built in Newport News, VA and cost approximately $31 per square foot to build, excluding land. This home is one of what are expected to be 73 similarly-featured homes that Gabriel plans to build in their Villages of Newport community. Energy efficiency features include careful air sealing using the airtight drywall approach and placement of ducts with individual volume dampers within the conditioned space. Gabriel also employed optimum value engineering (OVE) techniques that avoid the excessive use of framing materials and result in conservation of resources, cost savings, and improved energy efficiency. By ensuring that the air handler is located in conditioned space and the HVAC system was sized properly, they improved efficiency and comfort and reduced HVAC equipment costs. An unvented, insulated crawlspace and Cocoon cellulose insulation were also part of the energy package. Gabriel focused on indoor air quality by selecting low-VOC adhesives and paints and solid wood cabinets (in place of particleboard which contains formaldehyde). They provided mechanical ventilation to ensure adequate, but not excessive, air exchange. They have partnered with the American Lung Association of Virginia in this effort. Gabriel Enterprises, Inc. participates in several energy programs including Virginia Power's EnergySaver Plus, EPA's ENERGY STAR, and GreenStone's Engineered for Life and works with a local energy efficiency consultant as well. These programs assist with design and material selection, training, air leakage testing, and marketing. Marketing techniques for this home included offering energy use and comfort guarantees (heating and cooling costs were guaranteed not to exceed $32 per month on average at current rates). |
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Gabriel Enterprises, Inc. |
Award: 1999 Gold Winner |
Gabriel Enterprises, Inc. builds 55 new houses per year, with an average house having 1,500 square feet of living space and costing $98,000. This 1,853 square foot entry was built in Newport News, VA and cost approximately $31 per square foot to build, excluding land. This home is one of what are expected to be 73 similarly-featured homes that Gabriel plans to build in their Villages of Newport community. Energy efficiency features include careful air sealing using the airtight drywall approach and placement of ducts with individual volume dampers within the conditioned space. Gabriel also employed optimum value engineering (OVE) techniques that avoid the excessive use of framing materials and result in conservation of resources, cost savings, and improved energy efficiency. By ensuring that the air handler is located in conditioned space and the HVAC system was sized properly, they improved efficiency and comfort and reduced HVAC equipment costs. An unvented, insulated crawlspace and Cocoon cellulose insulation were also part of the energy package. Gabriel focused on indoor air quality by selecting low-VOC adhesives and paints and solid wood cabinets (in place of particleboard which contains formaldehyde). They provided mechanical ventilation to ensure adequate, but not excessive, air exchange. They have partnered with the American Lung Association of Virginia in this effort. Gabriel Enterprises, Inc. participates in several energy programs including Virginia Power's EnergySaver Plus, EPA's ENERGY STAR, and GreenStone's Engineered for Life and works with a local energy efficiency consultant as well. These programs assist with design and material selection, training, air leakage testing, and marketing. Marketing techniques for this home included offering energy use and comfort guarantees (heating and cooling costs were guaranteed not to exceed $32 per month on average at current rates). |
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Gabriel Enterprises, Inc. |
Award: 1997 Winner |
Awarded for the Stock residence located in Newport News, Virginia. Gabriel Homes has been in business for six years and typically builds 30 starter units per year. BEST PRACTICES Gabriel participates in Virginia Power's E Seal-certified Energy Saver Home Plus program and the Comfort Home program. Between them, these programs provide heating and cooling load analysis, blower door, duct blower, and infrared testing, inspections during construction, and training of field and sales staff. Energy efficient features include a 12 SEER heat pump, R-38 insulation in the attic, R-6 slab perimeter insulation, R-3 sheathing and R-13 batt insulation for the walls, California corners, mastic-sealed ductwork, and a programmable thermostat. All exterior walls are sealed and caulked along with door and window sills. Post drywall sealing is conducted from attic side at the top plates of all interior walls and all gaps around supply registers, light fixtures, and bath fans. This ensures significant savings in energy costs by lowering the air exchanges per hour. Gabriel stresses that airtightness detailing is an inexpensive way to build an energy-efficient house when combined with diagnostic testing to ensure that proper airflow is delivered throughout the household. Comfort Home Corporation provides a three-year guarantee of maximum heating and cooling energy use. Virginia Power provides a two-year comfort guarantee. Gabriel has determined that its energy upgrades cost $1,500, which is partially offset by a $460 savings on downsized HVAC equipment (due to the reduced heating/cooling loads). On a 30 year mortgage at an eight percent rate, $1,000 of debt costs $7.69 per month. This added mortgage cost is offset by an approximate 30% energy use reduction, compared to a house built to the Model Energy Code, and a $10 monthly credit provided under Virginia Power's Energy Saver Home Plus program. This results in an increased net cashflow for the customer. In its marketing, Gabriel stresses its energy and comfort guarantees and performance testing. They feel they have 'stirred the market' by challenging their potential buyers to go into the community and find a better home-one that is guaranteed! During the final walk-through, buyers are given information on proper operation and maintenance to maximize energy efficiency and are also given information on preferred practices to maintain good indoor air quality. |
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Gimme Shelter Construction |
Award: 2000 Gold Winner |
Gimme Shelter Construction of Wisconsin has been in business for 13 years and builds about three or four homes per year. The company built this 3,532 square foot home (with approximately 800 square feet semifinished) for $81 per square foot. Gimme Shelter Construction's innovative home features a geothermal heating system that supplies heat via a radiant floor distribution system. The geothermal system in turn is equipped with a desuperheater for energy-efficient water heating. A fluorescent and halogen lighting package delivers high-efficiency lighting, and clerestory windows add natural daylighting. The building is oriented to take advantage of the sun for heating while overhangs are sized to maximize winter solar heat gain and summer shading. A special wall design produces a seven-inch wall cavity that accommodates a thick blanket of insulation. R-50 blown cellulose insulation in the attic completes the insulation package. Given that ductwork is notorious for energy loss, the house relies on radiant floor heating and on a loft area that helps provide a chimney effect for natural cooling. A heat recovery ventilator ensures a continuous supply of fresh air indoors while recovering heat from exhaust air. A vapor barrier is taped and sealed and augmented with vapor-barrier electrical boxes for continuity. The tongue and groove cedar siding is placed over horizontal furring strips to provide a rainscreen and to help enhance building durability. The builder actively participates in several energy education projects around the state and the country. The house received a five-star-plus rating from the ENERGY STAR New Homes program. |
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GreenVillage Company |
Award: 2001 Silver Winner |
The GreenVillage Company has been in business for six years and built 50 homes this past year. Its 3,196-square-foot, three-unit home was built in Boston for $85 per square foot, excluding land. This home, designed to perform 50 percent better than the model energy code, has several features not often found in affordable housing, including U-0.34 wood- frame windows, fiber cement siding, and 2" x 6" walls with an R-value of 19. The combination boiler (86 AFUE) supplies hydronic heat and domestic hot water to all three units in the building. Programmable exhaust ventilation helps bring fresh air into the tightly constructed building. Low-flow water devices are used extensively in Boston, water costs are almost equal to fuel costs. The units also feature ENERGY STAR dishwashers and refrigerators. |
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GreenVillage Company |
Award: 1999 Silver Winner |
The GreenVillage Company builds 60 homes each year ranging in price from $85,000 to $350,000. This 2,000 square foot home in Cambridge, MA cost $97 per square foot to build, excluding land. Energy efficiency features of the Cambridge co-housing project include the use of cellulose insulation in the walls and attic and wood-framed low-e, gas-filled windows. The townhouse operates on a community-based geothermal system for space heating and cooling and a centralized boiler for water heating. The fully-zoned heating and cooling system delivers air to rooms as determined by independent room thermostats. A heat recovery ventilator delivers fresh air to each room while recovering heat from conditioned exhaust air. GreenVillage installed high-efficiency horizontal-axis clothes washers and fluorescent lighting. Using recycled materials and maintaining a high level of indoor air quality by minimizing outgassing of VOCs was a goal in construction. They used ceramic tiles made from recycled glass, natural linoleum flooring, cellulose insulation, truss joist floors, and low-VOC paints and adhesives. On-site construction waste was minimized by using modular construction that was completed to a high degree of finish in the factory. The modules were delivered to the site and stacked by crane on top of the foundation. The Cambridge Co-housing project was part of the United State Department of Energy's Building America program and is an ENERGY STAR home. Support for installation and monitoring was provided through Commonwealth Energy, an E Seal certified home construction program. |
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GreenVillage Company |
Award: 1998 Silver Winner |
The Green Village Company typically builds two move-up homes per year averaging $320,000 each. The price of construction for this winning home in Cambridge, Massachusetts was $69 per square foot, excluding land. Energy efficiency features of this modular home include insulated floors and basement walls, R-38 cellulose blown in on site for band joists, low-e gas filled windows, 2 x 6 wood framing, passive solar features such as large south-facing windows shaded by overhangs and trellises, a zone-controlled heating system with variable speed blower, and insulated and mastic-sealed ducts. Waste reduction techniques include factory production of modular homes, concentrating the construction of many buildings on one site, and allowing recycling of materials at the factory. The modules used for this home were constructed at the Epoch Corporation and delivered by truck to the site. The result is an on-site waste reduction of about 60%. This house was designed by the Hickory Consortium, with support from a cost-sharing agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Initiative. The Green Village Company is a participant in the EPA Energy Star program. This home received a five star HERS rating. |
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Grupe Homes |
Award: 2007 Gold Winner |
Grupe Homes is a production builder with a strong commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability. The company has a comprehensive buyer education program that highlights energy efficiency. Each development's model home has a hands-on energy display featuring innovative energy technologies such as solar water heating panels, tankless water heaters, and radiant barriers. Caring for the environment is "part of Grupe's ongoing legacy." In its master-planned communities, the company has planted more than half a million trees, constructed more than 400 acres of lakes, opened more than 200 public parks, and created more than 20 miles of paths for walking and biking. |
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Habitat for Humanity of Catawba
Valley |
Award: 2005 Honorable Mention |
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Hall Quality Homes |
Award: 2000 Gold Winner |
Hall Quality Homes builds approximately 55 starter and move-up homes each year, ranging in price from $119,000 to $141,000. The company built this 1,420-square-foot home in Palmer, Alaska, for $83 per square foot, not including the cost of land. Hall Quality Homes' award-winning entry features R-19 basement walls, R-10 slab perimeter insulation, R-21 OSB sheathed walls, R-44 attic insulation, and R-14.5 doors. Use of a frost-protected shallow foundation permitted the foundation to be constructed at only three feet below grade. All ducts are contained in conditioned space and sealed with mastic¾a practice that dramatically reduces potential duct leakage. Most of the home's permanent light fixtures are fluorescent. The home uses a high-efficiency gas furnace, and a heat recovery ventilator brings fresh air into the home while recovering 78 percent of the energy in the exhaust air. By conducting a preconstruction energy analysis, Hall Quality Homes can evaluate the cost-effectiveness of upgraded energy features. Site inspections ensure that energy features are properly installed, and postconstruction energy analysis demonstrates the efficiency of the features. The home received a five-star-plus rating from Energy Rated Homes of Alaska. |
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HKW Enterprises |
Award: 2001 Gold Winner |
HKW Enterprises, Inc., has been in business for 15 years and constructs 50 units per year. This 938- square-foot home was built in Gainesville, Florida, for $46 per square foot. An energy-efficient building envelope is created by Cocoon cellulose insulation (R-13.5 walls and R-30 ceilings) and by careful attention to air sealing. All ductwork is contained in conditioned space. HKW took several steps to reduce waste, including seeing that each home- owner was provided with two recycling bins and a guide to trash reduction and recycling services. In 1997, HKW was the first company in Florida to build a home to ENERGY STAR standards. |
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Holdridge Homes |
Award: 2002 Silver Winner |
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Holdridge Homes |
Award: 2001 Silver Winner |
Holdridge Homes has been in business for 13 years and builds about five homes per year. This 3,937- square-foot home near Toledo was built for $84 per square foot, excluding land. R-22 basement walls and R-10 underslab insulation create the basis for this energy-efficient residence. Wet-blown cellulose and an exterior insulation and finish system result in R-25 walls. The lighting package is 90 percent permanent fluorescent fixtures. A demand water heater provides efficient hot water, and a variable-capacity boiler produces efficient radiant floor heating. A heat recovery ventilator ensures that plenty of fresh air is available indoors without compromising energy efficiency. |
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Holdridge Homes |
Award: 2000 Silver Winner |
Holdridge Homes of Perrysburg, Ohio, has been in business for over 11 years. It builds between four and six move-up homes per year. This 5,112-square-foot home was built near Toledo. Holdridge Homes' award-winning entry features 2x6 walls filled with wet blown cellulose insulation and covered with one-inch rigid foam insulation on the exterior of the OSB sheathing, R-5 slab floor insulation, and meticulous air-sealing details. Holdridge's innovative wall system does not include a rim joist, thereby eliminating an area notorious for energy loss. A reverse-cycle chiller provides hydronic floor heating and is equipped with a desuperheater that uses waste heat to provide water heating. A heat recovery ventilator ensures that fresh air is delivered indoors continually. The home earned five stars from the ENERGY STAR New Homes program. Before construction, Holdridge Homes performs an energy analysis to weigh the cost and benefits of efficiency measures. Daily inspections during construction ensure that energy efficiency details are implemented correctly. Holdridge Homes has a strong commitment to its customers. It gives each homeowner a comprehensive manual and demonstrates home operation and maintenance during a homeowner orientation. It follows up with a quarterly newsletter and seasonal maintenance tips. |
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Holdridge Homes |
Award: 1998 Gold Winner |
Holdridge Homes has been in business for 11 years and typically builds six to eight custom homes per year, averaging $180,000 each. This 1,487 square foot home was built in Toledo, OH at a cost of $74 per square foot, excluding land. Energy efficiency features include structural insulated panels (SIPs) for exterior walls and roof, low-e Heat Mirror windows, a geothermal heat pump equipped with a desuperheater that uses waste heat to produce domestic hot water, and insulated (R-5) duct work that is sealed with heat tape and silicone caulk and fully contained within conditioned space. A permanent wood foundation is situated entirely below grade and insulated with R-13 foam. Waste reduction practices include using engineered wood products such as OSB floor decking, an engineered permanent wood foundation, and wooden I-joists. Marketing techniques include raising public awareness of energy efficiency. They receive extensive media coverage and have teamed up with the local utility to promote their energy efficient homes. For the Toledo HBA House and Home Show, Holdridge Homes built a full-sized house inside the convention center that featured energy efficient products and design. This home received a Five Star Plus, the highest rating offered by the Home Energy Rating of Ohio (a HERS program). Holdridge Homes is an EPA Energy Star Home Partner. They also participate in the Energy Efficient Builders Association (EEBA) and Toledo Edison's continuing education program. |
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Holdridge Homes |
Award: 1997 Winner |
Awarded for a residence located in Northwood, Ohio. Holdridge Homes has been in business for 9 years and typically builds 8-10 custom houses per year. BEST PRACTICES Holdridge Homes is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR Partner and works with Centerior Energy Corporation to build energy value into their homes. The company's mission statement includes the goal of "... efficient use of energy and resources..." Energy efficiency upgrades in the Northwood residence include a geothermal heat pump with a desuperheater. All ducts are located in conditioned space. The envelope includes R-42 ceiling, R-13 basement and R-10 crawl space wall insulation. Special framing details at wall "T's" and corners allow better insulation of these areas and Low-E, gas-filled, double-pane windows are used. Use of panelized walls, roof trusses, floor trusses, recycled newspapers for insulation, and OSB sheathing helps reduce the use of natural resources. The house was designed and located so as to save all existing trees on the lot. During design, computer analysis using the Canadian HOT2000 program is performed by Holdridge to assess energy use. In addition, insulation and HVAC contractors perform calculations to ensure proper HVAC sizing and aid in the selection of wall assembled components. Holdridge periodically monitors utility bills from date of occupancy and conducts air sealing and blower door diagnostics to test the performance of each house. Holdridge Homes have consistently sold for a higher price than their competitors, even at time of resale. Holdridge markets their energy efficiency focus through the use of in-home displays showing their energy efficiency related features and providing an energy efficiency related video to potential buyers. |
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Holloway Company |
Award: 1999 Honorable Mention |
The Holloway Company has been in business for 19 years and five homes per year ranging in price from $120,000 to $228,000. Their 1,668 square foot home was built for $57.00 per square foot. Energy efficiency features of this innovative home include a tight building shell made from Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) walls, extensive air sealing, low-e, gas-filled windows, and cellulose insulation. A geothermal system provides energy-efficient heating, cooling, and partial water heating. Light gauge metal studs for interior wall partitions are made from recycled material and can be recycled. The mechanical room is centrally located to maximize duct efficiency and optimize layout. The Holloway Company receives media attention from their innovative, energy-efficient homes. They stress the strength and durability of concrete construction and the low energy bills. Holloway Company works with TU Electric's E-Wise Plus new home program, an E Seal certified company, and are an ENERGY STAR builder. |
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Holloway Company |
Award: 1998 Gold Winner |
Holloway Company has been in business for 18 years and typically builds five homes per year. Prices range from $95,000 to $120,000 per home. This 1,669 square foot home built in Iowa Park, Texas cost $59 per square foot to build, excluding land. Energy efficiency features include a geothermal heating and cooling system with a desuperheater for domestic hot water, vinyl insulated windows with low-e glass, Kool*PlyTM radiant barrier roof decking, an insulated overhead door for the garage, and fluorescent lighting. The Reward Insulated Concrete Wall System with an R-value of more than 30 used for exterior walls results in reduced street noise, higher fire ratings, and termite resistance. Humidistat-controlled bath fans and a central air exchange system control dust and allergens. Waste reduction features include using metal studs made from recycled material for interior partitions. All metal scraps are recycled. The R-40 cellulose insulation in the attic is made from recycled paper. The Reward System polystyrene forms contain no CFCs, are recyclable, and have vinyl ties that are made from 50% recycled material. Marketing techniques feature radio advertisements, videos, and media kits. A public relations representative answers telephone inquiries from potential customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Real estate brokers are educated about energy efficient building techniques. Holloway Company participates in the TU Electric E-Plus Energy Program, which is E Seal Certified. |
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Holton Homes Inc. |
Award: 2007 Silver Award |
With local energy prices well below the national average, most customers were not initially enthused by Holton Homes' energy-efficiency features. However, despite the general lack of enthusiasm, Holton Homes forged ahead and designed its entire business around energy efficiency. The company is committed to educating the public, real estate and building professionals, and its own employees about energy efficiency. Recently, the company has noticed a shift in the average home buyer's interest in energy efficiency, increasing sales and production volume to the point where it has had to turn away an increasing number of buyers wanting custom homes. Subsequently, it is considering opening a custom home division. |
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Holton Homes Inc. |
Award: 2005 Gold Award |
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Ideal Homes of Norman, LLC |
Award: 2005 Gold Award |
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Ideal Homes of Norman, LLC |
Award: 2005 Silver Award |
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Ideal Homes of Norman, LLC |
Award: 2001 Gold Winner |
Ideal Homes of Norman, LLC has been building homes for ten years. The company builds about 400 homes each year and, to date, has built 108 to the same specifications as this winning home. The 1,579-square-foot house was built near Oklahoma City for $35, excluding land. This five-star ENERGY STAR rated home features R-16.5 walls and very tight construction--in fact, the company performs air sealing by using in-house staff to ensure quality control. A continuous exhaust ventilation system ensures fresh air and a 12-SEER air conditioner reduces summertime cooling bills. The company provides ongoing energy-efficiency training to all of its in-house sales representatives. Real estate agents are educated about energy-efficiency features through weekly flyers, regular sales meetings, and ENERGY STAR educational seminars. |
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Ideal Homes of Norman, LLC |
Award: 2001 Gold Winner |
Ideal Homes of Norman, LLC has been building homes for ten years. The company builds about 400 homes each year and, to date, has built 108 to the same specifications as this winning home. The 1,579-square-foot house was built near Oklahoma City for $35, excluding land. This five-star ENERGY STAR rated home features R-16.5 walls and very tight construction--in fact, the company performs air sealing by using in-house staff to ensure quality control. A continuous exhaust ventilation system ensures fresh air and a 12-SEER air conditioner reduces summertime cooling bills. The company provides ongoing energy-efficiency training to all of its in-house sales representatives. Real estate agents are educated about energy-efficiency features through weekly flyers, regular sales meetings, and ENERGY STAR educational seminars. |
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Ideal Homes of Norman, LLC |
Award: 1998 Silver Winner |
Ideal Homes has been in business for seven years and typically builds 260 starter homes per year averaging $94,000 each. This 1,500 square foot home in Norman, Oklahoma cost approximately $50 per square foot to build, excluding land. Energy efficient features include R-13 batt and R-4 foam sheathing wall insulation, R-30 ceiling insulation with a radiant barrier, R-3 slab edge insulation, mastic-sealed ductwork, envelope air sealing, and a 12 SEER air conditioner. An energy consultant helps select energy features, performs inspections of air sealing and insulation work, and conducts blower door testing. Resource efficient practices include using pre-cut and finger-jointed studs and the construction of wall corners and T's that use fewer studs, allowing greater insulation and cost savings. Passive solar techniques used by Ideal Homes include placing the garage on the northwest side of the home blocking wind and sun from habitable spaces; large windows are placed on south facing walls and the front door is deeply recessed and sheltered. Marketing techniques that focus on energy efficiency features include dedicated brochures, presentation of projected heating and cooling costs and diagnostic test results, and sales center displays of wall sections. Staff training includes energy-related topics, and sales agents discuss energy features when showing the homes. Ideal Homes works with local lenders to provide EEMs for their buyers. They were the first affordable home builder in the nation to achieve EPA Energy Star status. |
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Image Homes Corporation |
Award: 1999 Silver Winner |
IMAGE Homes Corporation has been in business for 18 years and builds 10 homes per year. Their luxury homes are typically 5,000 square feet and cost about $500,000. This 3,086 square foot design cost $83 per square foot to build, excluding land. Energy-efficiency features of this home include low-e, gas-filled, wood-framed windows, a raised-heel roof truss that allowed a thick blanket of insulation over the entire attic area, and basement slab insulation. Above-grade walls were framed with 2 x 6 studs spaced 24 inches on center, a framing technique that allowed enough insulation in the wall cavity to make R-22 walls. All ductwork was contained in conditioned space and sealed with mastic. IMAGE Homes paid close attention to building orientation to make use of the sun's energy during the winter. A significant portion of the home's glass was placed on the south side of the home and a Trombe wall absorbs solar heat for release during cooler nights. Resource-efficiency features include engineered lumber for headers, OSB sheathing, and I-joists and cellulose insulation in the ceiling and above- and below-grade walls. A heat recovery ventilator will provide fresh air supply and recover heat from outgoing conditioned air. A horizontal axis washer was installed for energy and water savings over traditional washers. A condensing gas furnace will produce energy-efficient heating. This home was given a rating of 94 by the Energy Rated Homes of Colorado. Image Homes is a member of the Green Builder Program of Colorado, and the E-Star Builder Program. |
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Image Homes Corporation |
Award: 1997 Winner |
Awarded for a residence located in Evergreen, Colorado. Image Homes has been in business for 15 years and typically builds six custom houses per year. BEST PRACTICES The Evergreen residence received a Five Star Plus energy rating from Energy Rated Homes of Colorado. Innovative features include a sealed combustion, 84 percent AFUE gas boiler that supplies domestic hot water and connects to an air handler for forced-air space heating. A heat recovery ventilator is integral to the air handler. Upgraded features include passive solar window orientation and shading, the use of slab edge and perimeter insulation, 2x6 walls spaced 24 inches on center with blown R-20 cavity insulation, gas-filled, low-e glazing, and air infiltration detailing. This house tested at 0.18 natural air changes per hour using blower door testing. Infrared testing was also performed. Other energy efficiency features include installation of all ducts within conditioned space, use of florescent and halogen lights, and installation of operable skylights, which allow passive cooling. All materials and components used in construction are evaluated for their impact on energy efficiency, resource efficiency, and indoor air quality. All construction waste is sorted and recycled. Image Homes markets energy efficiency with a brochure and site signs that explain the energy efficiency features and benefits. They also hold open houses, conduct workshops on Green/Sustainable construction, and make presentations at schools. |
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John Wesley Miller
Companies |
Award: 2005 Gold Award and Builder of the Year |
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Kendall Homes, Inc. |
Award: 1998 Silver Winner |
Awarded for a residence located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Kendall Homes has been in business for 13 years and typically builds four homes per year, including two custom homes. Prices range from $65,000 to $75,000 each. Construction costs for this winning home were $75 per square foot, excluding land. Energy efficiency features include an insulated slab foundation, R-21 insulated sub-grade walls, 2" foam wall sheathing with let-in bracing, 2 x 6 wood framing, R-34 walls and R-39 ceiling insulation, attic wall insulation, taped joints, low-e, gas-filled windows, insulated ductwork fully contained in conditioned space, insulated water pipes, and many permanent compact fluorescent light fixtures. A heat recovery ventilator and a heating and cooling system with a variable speed blower are used with a heat recovery unit for water heating. The heat recovery unit eliminates the need for a separate water heater. Kendall Homes participates in Northern Indiana Public Service Company's energy program, and is a partner in the EPA Energy Star homes program. This home received the first Five Star Plus rating from Energy Rated Homes of Indiana. |
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Koehnemann Construction, Inc. |
Award: 1997 Winner |
Awarded for the Swilley residence located in Panama City, Florida. Koehnemann Construction has been in business for 18 years and typically builds 10 move-up and 10 custom houses per year. BEST PRACTICES Koehnemann participates in Gulf Power Company's Good Cents Program, a utility-operated program which sets standards for energy efficient construction and provides assistance, inspections, and diagnostic testing. Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) are offered to buyers through a special arrangement between the Good Cents organization and Chase-Manhattan bank. This financing is designed to provide more initial purchasing power to buyers in recognition of reduced net monthly expenditures on combined mortgage payments and utility bills. House orientation, amount of glazing, and proper window shading are all considered to minimize solar heat gain in summer and maximize solar heat gain in winter. Heating and cooling load calculations and utility cost projections are performed to assure proper HVAC sizing and demonstrate to buyers the impact of energy efficiency improvements on operating costs. Energy efficiency upgrades in this house include slab-perimeter insulation, R-4 insulating sheathing and R-13 wall cavity insulation, R-38 ceiling insulation, house and duct air sealing, extensive use of florescent and halogen lights, and a geothermal heat pump with rated at 19.2 SEER / 4.6 COP (15.7 HSPF), and an air handler equipped with a variable speed fan. Proper operation of major systems is explained to buyers at the time of closing. Heating and cooling costs are guaranteed not to exceed $205 per year for two years. |
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LivingHomes |
Award: 2007 Gold Winner |
Factory-built homes are inherently resource efficient. Yet LivingHomes takes this to a new level by incorporating state-of-the-art energy efficiency with resource efficiency in a modern design. In addition to the waste reduction inherent in factory-built construction, the home includes many environmentally-friendly materials such as FSC-certified wood, locally-sourced concrete, 100 percent recycled cellulose and denim insulation, countertops made from 100 percent post-consumer newsprint, and no-VOC paints, primers, and sealers. As part of the company's "Zero Waste Policy," it contracts with a special materials waste company that recycles about 70 percent of collected waste. On top of that, LivingHomes works with The Reuse People, which deconstructs homes and resells or donates useable materials. |
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LivingHomes |
Award: 2007 Silver Winner |
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Marlette Homes |
Award: 2004 Gold Award |
Marlette Homes, which has been in business for more than 50 years, builds 550 homes each year. This 1,445-square-foot home was built in Oregon for $28 per square foot, excluding land. The EVHA judges were impressed by Marlette Homes' committment to the principles of energy efficiency and the excellent value that the builder delivers for the project cost. This factory-assembled home was built with 2x6 walls insulated with R-21 high-density fiberglass batts, R-33 frame floors, R-38 ceilings, and low-E windows. A rigorous air sealing package and the incorporation of mastic-sealed ductwork in conditioned space minimize energy losses. A 90 percent efficient furnace and ENERGY STAR-rated appliances round out the efficiency features.The builder participates in the Super Good Cents, Energy Star, and Natural Choice programs, and builds to the standards of the Northwest Energy Efficient Manufactured Home program. |
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Marlette Homes |
Award: 2004 Gold Award |
Marlette Homes, which has been in business for more than 50 years, builds 550 homes each year. This 1,445-square-foot home was built in Oregon for $28 per square foot, excluding land. The EVHA judges were impressed by Marlette Homes' committment to the principles of energy efficiency and the excellent value that the builder delivers for the project cost. This factory-assembled home was built with 2x6 walls insulated with R-21 high-density fiberglass batts, R-33 frame floors, R-38 ceilings, and low-E windows. A rigorous air sealing package and the incorporation of mastic-sealed ductwork in conditioned space minimize energy losses. A 90 percent efficient furnace and ENERGY STAR-rated appliances round out the efficiency features.The builder participates in the Super Good Cents, Energy Star, and Natural Choice programs, and builds to the standards of the Northwest Energy Efficient Manufactured Home program. |
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Mavor Design and Construction, Inc. |
Award: 2001 Gold Winner |
Mavor Design and Construction, Inc., has over 19 years of experience designing and building homes. The company builds about two homes each year. This 3,800-square-foot home was built near Bozeman, Montana, for $77 per square foot, excluding land. This home features an energy-efficient building shell constructed with low-E, gas-filled windows, R-12 under- slab floor insulation, insulating concrete form (ICF) walls, and R-42 urethane-filled cathedral ceilings. A gas-fired hydronic boiler with an indirect domestic water heating system provides energy-efficient heating and water heating. An exhaust-only mechanical ventilation system, coupled with fresh air intake vents, maintains indoor air quality. The company has a longstanding concern for energy and resource efficiency, and its president, Doug Mavor, teaches adult classes on energy efficiency through Bozeman Public Schools. |
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McGurn Investment Company |
Award: 2001 Silver Winner |
McGurn Investment Company has been in business since 1980. This mixed-use building in Gainesville, Florida, houses the winning project-a 1,775- square-foot townhome--in addition to 50 other units and restaurants and retailers. The townhome was built for $118 per square foot, excluding land. McGurn Investment Company is not only concerned about energy conservation, but has also made a strong commitment to historic preservation. The Union Street Station building, constructed in an old warehouse in downtown Gainesville, exemplifies a smart growth approach to development. Combining residential and commercial properties, the building has a small urban footprint and serves as a model for other urban areas considering smart growth initiatives. This townhome boasts a highly efficient cooling system, low-flow faucets, and many passive solar features such as overhangs and shade trees on the west orientation. The project is the first mixed-use project rated by the EPA's ENERGY STAR program. |
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McNaughton Homes |
Award: 2003 Silver Award |
McNaughton Homes of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has been in business for 20 years and builds between 50 and 75 homes each year. This 1,351-square-foot home was built for $63 per square foot, not including land. All of the builder's homes meet the specifications of this award-winning entry. Insulating foam sheathing and fiberglass batt insulation combine to provide R-16 walls. The ceiling is blown with fiberglass insulation to R-38. The use of the optimum value engineering technique of "California corners" permits corners to be insulated well and mitigates a potential source of air infiltration. A 2.5-ton geothermal heat pump provides efficient heating and cooling. According to the Comfort Home® Corporation energy cost guarantee, it is expected to cost less than $500 for heating, cooling and water heating on an annual basis. Through the Comfort Home program, each home's performance is qualified through an infrared scan and a blower door test. |
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McNaughton Homes |
Award: 2002 Gold Winner |
McNaughton Homes' 2,465-square-foot townhome in Harrisburg, PA is an excellent example of how energy efficiency adds value to homes. The home is surrounded by insulation--R-16 slab edge insulation, R-17 walls, and R-38 ceiling. All penetrations are carefully sealed against air infiltration and ductwork is contained in conditioned space--a practice that eliminates wasted energy from ducts run through unconditioned space such as attics and garages. A geothermal heat pump helps keep utility bills low while a desuperheater collects waste heat from the heat pump for water heating. Through the Comfort Home program, the builder is able to offer guaranteed heating and cooling bills to its customers. |
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McNaughton Homes |
Award: 1998 Gold Winner |
Awarded for a residence located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. McNaughton Homes has been in business for 17 years and typically builds 70 homes per year, including 40 starter homes. Prices range from $95,000 to $195,000 per home. Energy efficiency features include a geothermal heating and cooling system, low-e windows, R-10 insulation under concrete slab foundation, R-38 attic and R-21 exterior wall insulation, exterior wall framing that permits better corner insulation, and expandable foam insulation to seal all air pathways. Site layout stresses optimum building orientation to allow for the maximum amount of passive solar gain throughout the fall, winter, and spring. To maximize natural lighting, buildings were placed so they do not cast shadows on other buildings at the site. Waste reduction techniques include the use of engineered wood products such as laminated veneer lumber, OSB roof sheathing, OSB tongue and groove flooring, and wooden I-beam floor joists. McNaughton Homes participates in Pennsylvania Power and Light's Comfort Home Program, an E Seal certified program of the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star homes program. |
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McNaughton Homes |
Award: 1996 Winner |
PRODUCTION HOME GREATER THAN 2,001 SQUARE FEET in the COLD NORTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to McNaughton Homes in Harrisburg, PA, for its model home in its new-home community of Westbury in Enola, PA. McNaughton Homes has been in business for 15 years and builds 80 to 100 move-up homes per year. Best Practices McNaughton participates in Pennsylvania Power & Light's Comfort Home Program which is E Seal certified. The program provides a guarantee of comfort and energy use to the homebuyer. McNaughton's "sealed sheathing" technique minimizes air leakage by applying expanding foam sealant on sheathing joints and edges and at joints at plates and other penetrations after the sheathing is installed but before the insulation is applied. The sealant is also applied to ceiling penetrations and drywall edges after drywalling. McNaughton used a geothermal heating and cooling system in its winning home. The two-speed system has an impressive rated performance as follows: Cooling - 20.4 EER (low speed), 14.0 (high speed); Heating - 3.9 COP (low speed), 3.1 (high speed). McNaughton uses high-efficiency appliances, plumbing, and home automation products; high-performance doors and windows; and blown cellulose insulation to ensure that the entire wall cavity is insulated to the desired R-value, thus eliminating "gaps" that may occur when cutting insulation to fit. A detailed load analysis is performed to ensure that equipment is properly sized to meet the load - without the added cost or cooling performance degradation associated with the oversizing that sometimes compromises "rule-of-thumb" sizing. Infra-red visual inspection and blower door testing are conducted on each home. McNaughton places a dedicated container for recyclable cardboard at every jobsite and uses recycled plastic/composite exterior decking materials. Ongoing resource and efficiency training programs are available for all team members and new homebuyers. Newspaper advertising emphasizes the homes' low heating and cooling costs. New homebuyer seminars emphasize energy features, including wall cutaway for examination. |
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McStain Neighborhoods |
Award: 2005 Gold Award |
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Medallion Homes |
Award: 2004 Gold Award |
Medallion Homes has been in business for eight years and built 320 homes in 2003. This 2,404-square-foot home was built near San Antonio for $45 per square foot, not including land. According to the EVHA judging panel, Medallion Homes is dedicated to the ideals of building and selling energy efficient homes. Starting with its clear, concise mission statement, the company recognizes the benefits of energy efficiency to the community, homebuyer, the environment, and the company itself. Medallion's winning home design, which balanced energy efficiency with cost and environmental benefits, features cellulose insulation, ductwork sealed with mastic and contained in conditioned space, radiant barrier roof decking, 14-SEER air-conditioning equipment, and a condensing furnace. The builder pays careful attention to HVAC sizing and humidity control. Medallion's multimedia marketing, whether the company's website, newspaper advertisements, brochures or courses offered to real estate agents through Medallion Homes University-all stress energy efficiency. The company participates in the ENERGY STAR and Building America programs. |
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Ryan Homes (NVR) |
Award: 1999 Gold Winner |
Ryan Homes built this 1,244 square foot home located near Rochester, NY at a cost of $39 per square foot, excluding land. Ryan Homes has been in business for 50 years and built 6,043 houses in 1997 in all market categories, ranging in price from $148,000 to $306,000. This affordable house sold for $94,000. Energy efficiency features include Andersen gas-filled, low-e windows, R-13 basement and R-15 above-grade wall insulation, and an air sealing package. A high-efficiency 92 AFUE gas furnace was also selected. A GFX drain water heat recovery device was also incorporated to recover waste heat flowing down drains. A centrally-located, variable-speed, computer-controlled mechanical ventilation system was installed for adequate air exchange. In addition to the sealed combustion furnace, a direct-vent water heater was used for air quality. Some cost offset was achieved by placing supply registers close to the center of the home, a practice which reduces the cost of the duct system and allows downsized heating and cooling equipment. This approach was possible because of the improved thermal envelope, particularly the windows. Computer modeling prior to duct installation and field monitoring after installation verified that adequate comfort can be achieved with this approach. This house was built as part of the United States Department of Energy Building America Program and was awarded an ENERGY STAR Home designation. It also achieved a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rating of 86. Ryan Homes estimates that annual heating and cooling costs will be 46 percent less than those for a similar house built to minimum New York State energy code requirements ($316 versus $581). |
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Medallion Homes |
Award: 2000 Gold Award and Builder of the Year |
BUILDER OF THE YEAR Evidence of Medallion Homes' dedication to energy efficiency is reflected in the company's mission statement, "Our commitment is to deliver value to our customers through energy efficient products, materials, and building practices." Medallion's commitment is demonstrated through conscientious design practices that achieve high energy performance, systematic quality checks, and diagnostic testing to ensure proper installation of efficiency features, and a marketing and customer relations campaign that includes testimonial advertisements, education of the company's sales staff and customers, and continued follow-up with buyers. GOLD AWARD Medallion Homes has been in business for five years and builds approximately 360 homes per year, ranging in price from $84,000 to $400,000. This 1537-square-foot home in San Antonio was built for $56 per square foot, excluding land. Using its award-winning design, Medallion Homes will build another 360 units this year. Medallion's home features Cocoon cellulose insulation in the walls and attic while TechShield radiant barrier roof decking helps reduce attic temperatures and cooling loads. Advanced framing (optimum value engineering) techniques for walls reduce wood use and permit a higher portion of a wall section to be covered with insulation. Low-E, gas-filled windows and a high-efficiency air conditioner with programmable thermostat further reduce energy use. All ductwork is sealed with mastic and tape and located in conditioned space¾a practice that reduces the energy waste commonly associated with ductwork. Finally, the home was landscaped by using a technique called xeriscaping which calls for the use of native and drought-resistant plants to minimize maintenance, chemical use, and watering requirements. Medallion Homes participates in GreenStone's Engineered for Life program, which guarantees monthly average heating and cooling costs for this Medallion home to be under $17. As part of the guarantee program, the builder tested the home and ductwork for air infiltration losses. Medallion Homes' marketing and customer relations practices are exemplary. The company advertises its energy-efficient homes in newspapers, real estate magazines and relocation publications, on the Internet, by CD-ROM, and through word of mouth. Medallion Homes' energy cost guarantee puts a dollar value on energy efficiency and continues to be an effective marketing tool. Medallion Homes trains its sales staff on energy efficiency so that personnel can answer prospective buyers' favorite question, "What can this do for me?" |
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Medallion Homes |
Award: 1999 Honorable Mention |
Medallion Homes has been in business for four years and built 265 houses last year in all market segments, ranging in size from 1,565 square feet to 3,500 square feet and selling for $95,000 to $350,000. This 1,869 square foot, two-story house was built in San Antonio, TX for approximately $48 per square foot, excluding land. Energy-efficiency features include the use of a Carrier 12 SEER air conditioner and mastic to seal ductwork connections, R-15 batt insulation in the walls, an efficient water heater, an air sealing package, and TechShield radiant barrier OSB roof decking to minimize attic heat gain. House air leakage and ductwork leakage testing is performed on all Medallion homes periodically to ensure their air sealing techniques are effective. Resource-efficient features include the use of recycled carpet pad, modular designs to reduce waste from odd-sized cuts, finger-jointed studs, and xeriscaping, a landscaping technique that uses drought tolerant native plants to reduce the need for watering. Medallion Homes emphasizes energy efficiency in all their advertising. They use satisfied customers to tell a story in print ads. Cutaways enable buyers to view "behind the walls" energy-saving features. They operate a website and have an interactive CD ROM that offers information about the energy- and resource-efficiency features of their homes. Medallion Homes also trains construction supervisors and trade contractors about efficient building practices during weekly meetings. They encourage their homebuyers to take advantage of energy efficiency mortgages (EEMs). |
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Medallion Homes |
Award: 1998 Gold Winner |
Medallion Homes has been in business for three years and typically builds 170 houses per year including 65 starter homes. Prices range from $105,000 to $375,000 per home. This 1,190 square foot home cost $50 per square foot to build, excluding land, as part of an urban infill project in historic downtown San Antonio. Energy efficient features include Kool*PlyTM radiant barrier roof decking below a white composition shingle roof to reduce attic temperature. R-6 insulated HVAC ducts are mastic and tape-sealed to reduce heat loss and air exchange. Polycel foam at sheetrock penetrations reduces air infiltration. A programmable thermostat controls high-efficiency Carrier heating and cooling equipment. Diagnostics include blower-door and duct tests on all Medallion Homes. Resource conservation features include a recycling center installed in the kitchen; mulch recycled from trees removed from other job sites; finger-jointed wood studs, OSB sheathing, and Timberstrand engineered window and door headers to preserve renewable resources and reduce on-site waste. Site design is considered for every home with the garage placed on the west side blocking wind and afternoon sun. Trees are saved wherever possible and heat tolerant indigenous landscaping is used. Marketing strategies include educating potential buyers about energy efficient mortgages and giving them an energy efficiency checklist to compare Medallion's construction practices to other homes. Potential customers are encouraged to ask homeowners about their utility bills. Medallion's advertisements focus on energy benefits and they conduct environmental building seminars for REALTORS, field trips for school children, and career days for high-schoolers. They built an environmentally-friendly playhouse that was displayed in a local mall and auctioned off for charity. Medallion Homes participates in the EPA Energy Star Program and the Good Cents Program. |
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Medallion Homes |
Award: 1997 Winner |
Awarded for the Anderson residence located in San Antonio, Texas. In business for only two years, Medallion built close to one hundred homes last year. BEST PRACTICES Upgraded energy features include the use of R-15 batt insulation in exterior walls, a radiant barrier in the attic, mastic-sealed ductwork insulated to R-6, a high-efficiency (.94 EF) water heater, and a programmable thermostat. Air sealing measures, such as foaming around windows, doors, and various other penetrations, resulted in a blower door-tested value of 0.26 natural air changes per hour. Controllable mechanical ventilation is provided in the bathrooms and laundry room. Medallion participates in the Good Cents Environmental Home Program which, among other items, rates houses based on energy efficiency, resource efficiency, construction practices, and community planning. As an example of resource efficiency, Medallion employs heat-resistant, drought-tolerant landscaping techniques which incorporate resilient species of grass, native Texas shrubs, and mulch made from trees that are removed during the home building process. They also use finger-jointed studs for framing. Medallion uses testimonial advertisements in which customers talk about their low utility bills. A "community notebook" in their sales offices also contains letters and utility bills from happy customers. Their Internet Homepage describes their energy efficient features, and is solely responsible for several sales. Energy efficiency-related training of field supervisors and sales staff is conducted regularly. Seminars and advertisements have been used to educate local Realtors about energy efficiency. Medallion homes takes advantage of The Good Cents Mortgage and other Energy Efficiency Mortgages (EEMs) which allow a greater debt-to-income ratio due to lower than average utility bills. |
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Melvin and Sons Contractors |
Award: 1996 Winner |
CUSTOM HOME GREATER THAN 2,001 SQUARE FEET in the HOT HUMID SOUTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to Melvin and Sons, Contractors, Inc., of Lynn Haven, FL, for the Magee house in Panama City, FL. The company has been in business for 11 years and builds approximately eight custom homes a year. Best Practices Melvin and Sons participates in Gulf Power's Good Cents Environmental Home Program. Our philosophy is that the builder must accept the responsibility of researching available energy components, combine them in a cost-effective manner to gain the largest BTU reduction, then take the initiative to incorporate them into his standard building package. The end result is a home which is both cost-effective, comfortable, and efficient to operate. This comprehensive package consists of R-27 wall insulation provided by R-23 blown cellulose and R-4 insulation board; R-61 blown cellulose in the attic; below grade R-10 slab insulation with 2-inch foam insulation to a depth of 3 feet on foundation wall; low-e, argon-filled glazing; continuous perforated soffit vents; electronic air cleaner; closed-loop geothermal heat pump with an EER of 18 and COP of 4.60.; a three-zone system with three thermostat controls; a high-efficiency (.95 EF) 60-gallon electric water heater with lifetime warranty and built-in hot water recovery; and halogen, low-voltage, and fluorescent lighting. The house was pressure tested by using a blower door at .177 air changes per hour. Land use and site planning are considered during the design process to minimize solar gain. The natural terrain and foliage shield the home during summer months. Overhangs and porches are designed to "do the job that trees and lot layout can't." Resource efficiency is promoted through environmentally-friendly materials, gypsumboard recycling, built-in recycling bins in the kitchen cabinetry, and a geothermal heat pump with hot water recovery. Management keeps abreast of the latest energy technologies by attending seminars offered by leading experts. Sub-contractors are licensed and practice their part of the energy equation. Customers are invited to participate in "field days" to witness blower door and duct blaster tests, the application of cellulose insulation, or installation of geothermal heat pumps. |
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Montgomery and Rust, Inc. |
Award: 2005 Silver Award |
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Neal Carter and Sun, Inc. |
Award: 1996 Winner |
INNOVATIVE OR ADVANCED HOME in the COLD NORTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to Neal Carter & SUN, Inc., in Charleston, ME, for the McCollough/Elliot home in Hampden, ME. Carter has been in business for 17 years and builds two to four custom homes per year. Best Practices Innovative concepts in this passive solar home include a site built wall truss system made of 2x2 studs and 10-inch plywood gussets, hung outside the 2x4 structural wall, yielding a 16-inch wall and wide window sills with attractively splayed sides. The holistic approach to the home incorporates a comprehensive energy package and emphasizes local, low- impact, recycled, and environmentally benign materials. Neal Carter & SUN, Inc., also addresses indoor air quality, site-specific house placement and orientation, and expanded energy issues such as principles of Feng Shui. The energy package includes R-40 walls, R-60 ceilings, R-20 subslab and R-30 slab edges, and double- glazed low-e windows on the south orientation combined with triple-glazed, double low-e on other faces (all gas filled). The house also features a mid-efficiency, sealed combustion LP boiler for heating a radiant floor slab and domestic hot water; a state-of-the-art wood stove for ambience and use of renewable fuel; heat recovery ventilation; water-efficient front-loading clothes washer and fixtures; PL tube lighting; and accommodations for a future solar domestic hot water heater. An eight-hour per day, four-day work week with time off as needed encourages a crew that is healthy, rested, and enthusiastic. Crew members are continually educated in the how and why of energy-efficient building practices through on-the-job training, paid tuition for conferences, and demonstrations such as blower door tests. Thus, they become committed to the attention to detail critical to long-term structural integrity and house performance. Neal Carter & SUN, Inc., has developed a marketing niche through word-of-mouth referrals. "Since 1978, I have built only superinsulated homes. Their extraordinary comfort and energy performance speak for themselves. I am continually expanding my understanding of an environmentally friendly home and refining my abilities to build one. My customers are people of high integrity who choose me because the total product of who I am and what I offer is consistent with their needs, visions, and beliefs. We become a team whose goal is to bring their dream into tangible reality a dream which includes our mutual reverence for the earth and all her inhabitants. |
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Neighbor for Neighbor, Inc. |
Award: 2005 Honorable Mention |
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New Age Builders, Inc. |
Award: 1996 Winner |
HOME UNDER 2,000 SQUARE FEET in the MODERATE CLIMATE REGION is awarded to New Age Builders, Inc., for the Thompson family residence in Copiaque, NY. The company has been in business for 12 years and builds 10 starter homes per year. Best Practices New Age Builders, Inc., was the first builder to participate in the NY-STAR Program sponsored by the New York State Builders Association, Inc., Long Island Lighting Company, the local electric and gas utility, and the former New York State Energy Office. This 1,060-square-foot NY-STAR-certified home, priced at $125,000, is targeted to first-time homebuyers on Long Island. New Age emphasizes the use of simple and cost-effective energy technologies. The home features 2x6 walls using Optimum Value Engineering (OVE) framing techniques, R-19 fiberglass batt insulation, an interior polyethylene vapor barrier, and 1-inch rigid exterior foam sheathing with taped joints. A sealed combustion, 87 percent efficient gas-fired boiler provide space and water heating with hydronic distribution and an automatic setback thermostat. A single exhaust fan, ducted to remove air from both kitchen and bath controls humidity, odors, and air quality. The fan operates continuously on low speed but can be stepped up to high speed by using a manual control in the bathroom. A kitchen range hood was also installed. Jobsite recycling practices include gathering and recycling cardboard, chipping lumber waste, and spreading insulation scrap in the attic. The home was designed to exceed the New York State Energy Code for insulation levels. NY-Star conducted quality assurance inspections and required a satisfactory blower door test for NY-Star Certification. The home was marketed as energy efficient, and an energy efficiency mortgage (EEM) qualifying ratio got the Thompson's into their new home. |
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New Haven Construction |
Award: 1999 Silver Winner |
New Haven Construction builds 20 homes each year ranging between $150,000 and $330,000. This 6,800 square foot home in Dayton, Ohio cost $83 per square foot to build, excluding land. Energy-efficiency features include the use of Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) walls and Andersen wood-framed low-e, gas-filled windows. New Haven Construction used an innovative airtight drywall approach that incorporates caulking and foaming around all areas of penetration including cracks around windows, doors, recessed lighting, switches and receptacles and baseboards. For heating and cooling, this homes uses a Carrier Weathermaker gas furnace for heating and a Carrier R-410a air conditioner that uses no ozone-depleting refrigerants. A heat recovery ventilator brings fresh air into the home while recovering heat from outgoing conditioned air. New Haven Construction is an ENERGY STAR builder. |
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Newmark Homes, L.P. |
Award: 2001 Silver Winner |
Newmark Homes has been in the home building business since 1983 and builds over 1,500 homes annually. This 2,868-square-foot home near Austin, Texas, cost $44 per square foot, excluding land. It is one of ten homes built to the same specifications. TechShield radiant barrier roof decking and an R-17 wall system help reduce energy loads while a high-efficiency cooling system combined with a programmable thermostat helps cut energy costs. Newmark's advertisements highlight the company's green buiding and energy-efficiency efforts. This home is built to the standards of the city of Austin's Green Building Program. |
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Newmark Homes, L.P. |
Award: 2000 Silver Winner |
Newmark Homes has been in business for 16 years and builds approximately 2,000 homes per year, ranging in price from $165,000 to $375,000. This 3,458-square-foot home near Houston was built for $38 per square foot, excluding land. Newmark Homes' winning entry is one of over 600 homes built by the firm to the same specifications each year. This production home features high levels of wall and attic insulation as well as TechShield radiant barrier roof decking to lower attic temperatures and reduce the air-conditioning load. A programmable thermostat further reduces energy use. The builder performed a preconstruction analysis of the home's air-conditioning loads based on the building orientation, and, as a result, installed an optimally sized cooling system that ensures comfort and efficient operation. Newmark uses finger-jointed studs to limit framing lumber waste to between one and two percent. It employs a plan verification program that encourages cooperation between builder and trade contractors to establish the optimum quantity of materials for a job. Newmark's exemplary marketing practices include a CD-ROM that all prospective buyers can take home with them. It showcases energy and other features of the homes. Newmark's television and radio advertisements, website, and company brochures also discuss their company's commitment to energy efficiency. |
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Newmark Homes, L.P. |
Award: 1999 Honorable Mention |
Newmark Homes has been in business for 15 years and builds 1,000 homes per year ranging from $160,000 to $340,000. This 3,052 square foot home in Richmond, VA was built for $34 per square foot, excluding land. Energy-efficiency features include TechShield radiant barrier roof decking to reduce attic heat gain, insulated sheathing, and air sealing at joints, cracks, utility penetrations, and around doors and windows. They used an ENERGY STAR certified programmable thermostat and heating and cooling equipment. Newmark Homes produces an extensive sales training manual that teaches sales staff about energy efficiency features and their benefits. They market energy efficiency in a variety of ways: through a CD ROM, their website, newspaper advertisements, and color brochures. Newmark Homes is an ENERGY STAR builder. |
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Newmark Homes, L.P. |
Award: 1998 Gold Winner |
Newmark Homes, L. P. , has been in business for 14 years and typically builds 800 houses per year, including 500 move-up homes. Prices range from $155,000 to $310,000 per home. This home was built in Houston, Texas at a cost of $35 per square foot, excluding land. Energy efficiency features include extensive thermal envelope and air infiltration detailing. An R-4 Dow insulated tongue and groove sheathing is used on exterior walls with fiberglass batts because of the cost effectiveness to the R-value achieved. Air infiltration barriers are used on the inside and outside surfaces of all exterior walls. Sill sealer, weatherstripping, and polycel sealants are used at exterior wall base plates, doors, attic stairways, and electrical and plumbing penetrations. Floorplan designs are value-engineered to consider the proportion of glass to the worst-case solar orientation. When a homesite is chosen, the floorplan is analyzed for the orientation of the home on the site, and HVAC equipment sizing is recalculated accordingly. Waste reduction techniques include using finger-jointed studs to reduce the amount of waste to 1-2%. The framing is value engineered to reduce the number of framing members needed. A master plan takeoff and a construction standards verification partnering program with trade contractors also reduces waste. Marketing techniques include an Internet website and a virtual reality CD-ROM that walk customers through Newmark's homes. Newmark participates in the EPA Energy Star Program, the Good Cents Program, and the Owens-Corning Thermal Crafted Home Program. |
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Oneida Housing Authority |
Award: 1997 Winner |
Awarded for the Powless residence located in Seymour, Wisconsin. Oneida Housing Authority has been in business for 37 years and typically builds 14 starter houses per year. BEST PRACTICES This house was built as part of the Dream Home Project, an effort to provide affordable, energy efficient housing to the people of the Oneida Tribe. The Oneida Housing Authority (OHA) has blower door testing performed by the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC). Due to extensive air infiltration detailing, this house tested at 1.12 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals of pressure (ACH50). This compares to typical construction which usually falls within the range of 6-10 ACH50. To allow adequate, controllable ventilation, a heat recovery ventilator was installed. The OHA also takes advantage of WPSC's $1000 rebate for energy efficient houses and their solar water heater leasing program. With this program, homeowners pay $114 up front and then $12 per month for this feature. As part of the Dream Home Project, "Solar Zoning" has been established, requiring that houses not cast a shadow on other houses. This is part of their emphasis on solar orientation which also includes careful attention to glazing type, window area and orientation, and shading. Other energy efficiency features include use of R-11 slab-edge and sub-slab insulation, basement walls with R-5 exterior and R-15 interior insulation, band boards with R-21 insulation, and low-e glazing. The 2x6 walls are insulated with R-5 sheathing and R-25 blown insulation, and the attic is insulated to R-54, using raised heel trusses which allow full-depth insulation above the exterior walls. An 87 percent AFUE boiler and florescent lighting were also installed. |
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Palm Harbor Homes |
Award: 2006 Gold Award
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Pardee Homes
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Award: 2006 Honorable Mention
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Pardee Homes |
Award: 2005 Gold Award |
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Pardee Homes |
Award: 2003 Gold Award |
Pardee Homes of San Diego, CA has been in business for 81 years and closed 2,202 homes last year. This 3,708-square-foot winning home, one of 97 homes built to the same specifications, was constructed for $63 per square foot. Pardee Homes worked with the ComfortWiseTM new home program to select energy efficiency features that balance performance with cost. This upfront energy analysis led to the selection of low-e windows with a low solar heat gain coefficient, a gas-powered tankless water heater, a 2.4-kW photovoltaic array mounted on a backyard trellis, ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, and a lighting package comprised solely of permanent fluorescent fixtures. Other features include a programmable thermostat and an electric car outlet. The company, in conjunction with ComfortWise, produced scopes of work for the installation of energy components and systems and used third-party inspections to ensure installation in accordance with the scopes of work. Pardee Homes is an ENERGY STAR builder. |
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PHH Mortgage Services, Inc. |
Award: 1998 Winner |
PHH Mortgage Services Corporation has partnered with the Edison Electric Institute to provide the E Seal Energy Efficiency Mortgage, the nation's only conventional and FHA mortgage product to finance 100 percent of a home's cost-effective energy-efficiency upgrades without increasing the buyer's down payment or private mortgage insurance. It allows the full cost of energy efficiency upgrades to be financed through the mortgage, and recognizes and warrants the full value of the upgrades in the mortgage. The first utility to adopt the E Seal Energy Efficiency Mortgage is CSW Energy Services, Inc. CSW Energy Services is a consortium of utilities consisting of Central Power and Light Company, the Public Service Company of Oklahoma, the Southwestern Electric Power Company, and the West Texas Utilities Company. The E Seal Energy Efficiency Mortgage is part of CSW Energy Services' SmartMove Home Services program, which makes home purchase, construction, selling or relocating easier with competitive interest rates, lower closing costs, cash-back performance guarantees, expanded qualifying ratios, low down payments, higher appraisal values, no requalification for larger mortgages, closing date guarantees and fifteen minute pre-qualification services. The E Seal Energy Efficiency Mortgage program is available through E Seal certified programs, which have partnered with over 800 builders to build over 45,000 homes. It allows builders to earn more profit on cost-effective energy upgrades, without risking the loss of a customer because of a higher selling prices. |
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Pons Construction |
Award: 1997 Winner |
Awarded for a house located in Panama City Beach, Florida. Pons Construction has been in business for nine years and typically builds 15 houses per year. BEST PRACTICES Pons Construction hosts field trips for local school children to help them learn about energy-efficient home building. The field trips provide effective marketing and have attracted local media attention. Heating and cooling is provided by a geothermal heat pump rated at 19.6 EER and 4.8 COP. A desuperheater transfers waste heat generated by the heat pump (when it is in the cooling mode) to the water heater. To further increase the efficiency of the water heating system, the water heater is set on a piece of foam board insulation and then wrapped in a jacket of R-6 insulation. Exterior walls are insulated with R-13 batts and the ceiling is insulated to R-38, with a radiant barrier also installed. Ductwork is sealed with mastic. The local utility company, Gulf Power, provides blower door, duct blaster, and infrared scanner tests. Gulf Power also offers a utility bill guarantee program. Porches or overhangs are used to shade east- and west-facing windows. Deciduous trees are also used to provide seasonal shading and wind protection. |
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Premier Homes Properties, Inc. |
Award: 2005 Silver Award |
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Pringle Development |
Award: 1997 Honorable Mention |
Awarded for a house located in Leesburg, Florida. Pringle Construction has been in business for 15 years and typically builds 200 houses per year. BEST PRACTICES Pringle Development uses an insulated concrete form (ICF) wall system for above-grade walls in which concrete is pumped into a foam (polystyrene) form. Inside the forms, the concrete forms a strong post and beam matrix. The 16 inch thick foam forms have an R-22 rating. The high thermal mass of the concrete in the wall system reduces the effects of day-time to night-time outdoor temperature swings. The wall also has very low air infiltration. Foam form wall sections are placed in the sales office to peek custom interest in this technology. Pringle Development also places potential customers in touch with representatives from their wall system manufacturer so that they may learn about the advantages of ICF houses. Other energy efficiency features include the use of tinted, low-e, gas-filled glazing (which reduces heat gain), mastic-sealed ductwork, and R-40 attic insulation. |
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Pruett Builders, Inc. |
Award: 2004 Gold Award |
Pruett Builders has been in business for 18 years and constructs about 35 homes each year. This 5,486-square-foot home was built for $180 per square foot, excluding land. The EVHA judges remarked that the design of the home shows a commitment by the builder to build to the highest standards possible. The judges especially liked the company's use of energy modeling during the design process to assist in making decisions about which efficiency measures to incorporate into the home. The concrete block home features low-E, gas-filled, tinted windows, spray foam ceiling insulation, and an excellent air sealing package. All ductwork is sealed with mastic and located in conditioned space. Most of the lighting throughout the home is fluorescent. High efficiency heat pumps with variable speed air handlers provide efficient heating and cooling. An energy recovery ventilation system provides fresh air without adding significantly to heating and cooling loads. A solar thermal system provides hot water and appliances are ENERGY STAR rated. The builder participates in the ENERGY STAR and Florida Green Building Coalition programs. |
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Pruett Builders, Inc. |
Award: 2003 Gold Award |
Pruett Builders, Inc., of Sarasota, Florida, has been in business for 17 years and builds 35 homes each year. This 5,507-square-foot model home was built for $180 per square foot, excluding land. Energy features of this custom home include low-e, gas-filled, tinted windows, R-20 Icynene walls, ductwork sealed with mastic and located in conditioned space, a lighting package that is 85% fluorescent, two energy recovery ventilators for high-efficiency ventilation, a passive solar hot water collector, a high efficiency heat pump with variable speed air handler that is controlled by a programmable thermostat and a dehumidistat, and energy-efficient appliances including an ENERGY STAR-rated dishwasher and front-loading washer. Ceiling fans throughout improve comfort and reduce cooling needs. The house is predicted to cost $200 per month for heating, cooling, and water heating based on the Florida Building Energy Rating Guide. Pruett Builders participates in the ENERGY STAR, Florida Power and Light BuildSmart, and Florida House Institute's Eco-$mart programs. |
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Pruett Builders, Inc. |
Award: 2002 Gold Winner |
Pruett Builders' 3,609-square-foot home in University Park, FL features gas-filled, low-e, tinted windows that reduce solar heat gain and increase efficiency over standard windows. The ceiling is insulated to R-30 and a radiant barrier is used to reduce attic heat gain. A batch-type solar water heater offsets hot water energy needs. The home is rated 89.7 by Energy Star for Homes and is predicted to cost $1,579 per year to operate by the Florida Building Energy Rating Guide, including a pool pump. |
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Pruett Builders, Inc. |
Award: 2000 Gold Winner |
Pruett Builders has been in business for 15 years and builds approximately 35 homes per year, ranging in price from $300,000 to over $1,000,000. This 3,912-square-foot home in Sarasota was built for $135 per square foot, excluding land. Pruett Builders' award-winning home features a tight building shell that uses Icynene spray foam insulation in the attic and in the wall between the garage and the living space. All ductwork is sealed with mastic and, along with the mechanical equipment, is contained in insulated, semiconditioned space. Ductwork is further insulated to R-6. Exterior wall penetrations and windows are sealed with foam and caulk. Tinted, low-E windows help control solar heat gain. A heat pump with variable speed air handler, programmable thermostat, and zone-control dampers provides very high-efficiency cooling while a central dehumidifier/ventilator reduces the cooling load and increases comfort by decreasing indoor humidity levels. A 32-square-foot passive solar water heating array with gas backup delivers low-cost hot water to the household. An energy-efficient, horizontal-axis washer conserves water and water- heating energy. Compact fluorescent light bulbs were installed at all permanent fixtures and table lamps. The house is an American Lung Association Health House®, an ENERGY STAR Home and was rated Gold by Florida Power and Light's Buildsmart program. The builder conducted a preconstruction energy analysis to determine the impact of energy features and to ensure that features were cost-effective. |
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Pulte Home Corporation - Las Vegas Division |
Award: 1999 Gold Winner |
Pulte Homes-Las Vegas Division has been in business for six years and builds 1,000 homes per year ranging in price from $118,000 to $346,000. This 2,260 square foot design was built for $42 per square foot. Energy-efficiency features include the use of 2 x 6 stud framing that permits a thicker blanket of insulation to fill the wall cavity than could be achieved with 2 x 4 framing. Wall cavities are filled with GreenStone's Cocoon cellulose insulation. Gaps around windows are sealed against air infiltration. An innovative unvented roof design was used in which attic insulation is located directly under the roof decking. The unvented roof makes it easy to contain all ductwork in conditioned space, a practice which saves energy that might be lost from leaky ductwork. Solar control glass helps reduce heat gain through windows. Pulte Homes-Las Vegas Division took care to provide good indoor air quality by installing mechanical ventilation. A quality program helped Pulte ensure that energy-efficiency features were installed properly. The new home's heating and cooling costs were guaranteed. Pulte Homes-Las Vegas Division participates in GreenStone's Engineered for Life Program that looks at the house as a system, and qualifies homes that meet its comfort, energy efficiency, safety, and durability requirements. They also participate in Southwest Gas Energy Advantage PLUS program and are an ENERGY STAR builder. |
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Pulte Home Corporation - PC/BRE Springfield LLC |
Award: 2001 Gold Winner |
Pulte Home Corporation-Springfield (Chandler, Arizona) has been in business for 50 years and constructs about 2000 homes each year for the active adult market. This 1,066-square-foot house was built in Chandler, near Phoenix, for $55 per square foot, excluding land. The winning home is one of approximately 75 homes built to the same specifications. This winning home, geared for the aging population, offers guaranteed energy bills (a big incentive for Pulte's fixed-income buyers. The guarantee is offered in con- junction with Louisiana Pacific's Engineered for Life program, which provides backing for the energy cost guarantee. The house includes tinted, low-E windows to reduce solar heat gain, walls insulated with Cocoon cellulose insulation and sheathed with foam for an R-value of 17, and ductwork sealed with mastic for a leakage below 3 percent of the floor area. A Carrier split system is used for heating and cooling. The company is an ENERGY STAR participant. |
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Pulte Home Corporation - Phoenix Division |
Award: 2002 Silver Winner |
Pulte Homes-Phoenix Division's 2,054-square-foot award-winning home built in Mesa, AZ includes many energy-efficiency features not offered by the competition. The home, built to the Environments for Living Program Platinum standard, features 2" x 6" studs spaced 24" on center and filled with R-20 Cocoon cellulose insulation. The unvented attic design allows all ductwork to be kept in conditioned space. Ductwork is also sealed with mastic to increase airtightness. A Carrier high-efficiency furnace uses Puron, a non-ozone depleting refrigerant. Outdoor air is introduced into the home intermittently to ensure healthy indoor air. The builder is an Energy Star for Homes partner. |
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Pulte Homes - Tucson Division |
Award: 2002 Gold Winner |
Pulte Homes--Tucson Division's 3,263-square-foot winning home, in conjunction with the Environments for Living program, comes with a guarantee that heating and cooling will cost less than $69 per month. The low utility bills are a result of efficiency features not found in many competitor's homes: 2" x 6" studs spaced 24 inches on center (that allow for more of the wall to be filled with insulation rather than wood), R-20 Cocoon blown-in cellulose insulation, mastic-sealed ductwork contained in conditioned space, a 92 AFUE sealed combustion furnace, and a 12 SEER air conditioning system. A filtered fresh air supply brings outdoor air into the home for ventilation. The home received an Energy Star for Homes Rating of 88.4. |
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Pulte Homes - Tucson Division |
Award: 2001 Gold Award and Builder of the Year |
BUILDER OF THE YEAR Pulte Homes in Tucson is a large-volume builder thatÕs push- ing the envelope of production building. The companyÕs commitment to quality construction and resource efficiency is evident in PulteÕs everyday business practices. Partnering with contractors and suppliers, the company is able to stream- line production processes and reduce costs. Contractor and sales staff training is ongoing while quality control over installation is standard procedure. PulteÕs commitment to quality shines in its award-winning home that features optimum value engineering, R-20 walls, minimized ductwork runs located within conditioned space, features to prevent solar heat gain, drought-resistant land- scaping, and a guarantee on heating and cooling bills. GOLD AWARD Pulte Home Corporation-Tucson Division has been in business for nine years and builds 400 units per year. This 1,838-square-foot home was built for $43 per square foot, excluding land. This award-winning home features 2" x 6" studs spaced 24 inches on center that are filled with Cocoon cellulose insulation and sheathed with one inch of foam for an R-23 wall system. The unvented attic design permits all ductwork to be easily contained within the conditioned space. Tight construction is enhanced by an air recirculation system for fresh air introduction. Windows with a low solar heat gain coefficient and light-colored building materials reduce cooling loads while a 92 percent-efficient furnace keeps heating bills in check. By participating in Louisiana Pacific's Engineered for Life program, Pulte is able to guarantee heating and cooling bills. |
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RE Collier-Builder |
Award: 1999 Silver Winner |
R.E. Collier, Inc. has been in business for 35 years and builds about 12 homes per year ranging in price from $180,000 to $432,950. This 3,052 square foot home in Richmond, VA was built for $87 per square foot, excluding land. Energy-efficiency features include Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) walls that consist of foam insulation sandwiched between OSB sheathing, basement floor insulation, and blown cellulose attic insulation. Triple glazed, low-E, argon-filled windows were chosen for their high R-value and high resistance to air infiltration. More than half the lighting fixtures in the home use fluorescent lamps. Indoor air quality was ensured by the use of an energy recovery ventilator that is equipped with a HEPA filter. An efficient Carrier heat pump that uses non-ozone depleting refrigerant was installed for heating and cooling. Engineered lumber was used where possible. Laminated veneer lumber was chosen for headers and beams and engineered strand lumber for posts and supports. Finger-jointed interior trim was used in all finished areas. Cellulose insulation, which uses recycled newsprint, was used in all non-SIP walls. This home was part of Virginia Power's Energy SaverPlus program, is an ENERGY STAR home, and was given five stars from Virginia Home Energy Rating Organization. Heating and cooling costs are guaranteed through participation with TecStar Systems. |
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RE Collier-Builder |
Award: 1998 Gold Winner |
R.E Collier, Inc. has been in business for 34 years and typically builds approximately 12 houses per year in the move-up, custom, and luxury markets. This 2,800 square foot home cost approximately $95 per square foot to build in Richmond, VA, excluding land. Energy efficiency features include a high-efficiency heat pump (8.0 HSPF / 12 SEER) with a variable speed air handler and an intelligent-recovery programmable thermostat, fluorescent lighting, mastic-sealed ductwork located within the conditioned space, and low-e, inert gas-filled windows. Air infiltration is limited by carefully sealing building envelope penetrations, using sealed recessed lights, and utilizing a non-ventilated crawlspace. Healthy house features include smooth floor surfaces, such as wood flooring and tile, which do not harbor allergens and dust; using paint, finishes, and adhesives that are free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs); eliminating urea-formaldehyde producing particleboard for cabinet and countertop substrates; and using a high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA). This home was built in cooperation with Virginia Power and the American Lung Association of Virginia as a "health house"- an energy efficient house that would produce exceptional indoor air quality while remaining cost-effective. Resource conservation techniques include using deck materials made from recycled plastic lumber, a 'slate' roof made from portland cement, and recycled cellulose and framing techniques to reduce the number of studs. The landscaping includes a 'rain garden' to manage storm water run off. Marketing techniques include provision of a two-year energy guarantee that the average monthly cost for heating and cooling will not exceed $48 at current rates of $.08 per kWh. Actual heating and cooling costs from the first 11 months of occupancy averaged less than $34; approximately 50 percent less than a similar house built to the minimum state energy code standards. R.E. Collier Inc. works with the Virginia Power Energy Saver Home Plus Program (an EEI E Seal energy efficiency program) and the Virginia Home Energy Rating Organization. |
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Redman/Moduline Homes-A Champion
Company |
Award: 2001 Silver Winner |
Redman/Moduline Homes-A Champion Company has been in business for 32 years and builds over 800 homes each year. This 1,400-square-foot home was built for $23 per square foot. This award-winning HUD-code home features low-E, gas-filled vinyl windows, R-33 floors, R-21 high-density batt insulation, and R-38 ceilings. The builder participates in Super Good Cents and the U.S. Department of Energy Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership. Through this partnership, the builder worked with the Washington State University Energy Program to improve its duct and envelope sealing practices. |
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RJT Builders |
Award: 1998 Silver Winner |
Awarded for a residence located in the Crown Hills community in San Diego, California. RJT Builders has been in business for five years and typically builds 120 starter homes per year averaging $175,000 each. Energy efficiency features include R-38 roof insulation and wall systems made of R-16 structural insulated panels (SIPs). The expanded polystyrene core and OSB sheathing of the SIPs reduce air infiltration; are insect, fire, and earthquake resistant; and contain no CFCs, HCFCs, or HFCs. SIPs panels are quickly lifted into place and leave little on-site waste. These are the first tract production homes in the United States to use SIPs. Passive solar techniques used by RJT Builders in the Crown Hills community include north to south home orientation and reduced glazing on walls facing east and west. RJT Builders was given a 1997 Gold Nugget Best in the West Award for technological achievement in the annual design competition sponsored by the California Building Industry Association and was recognized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as a Building Innovation for Homeownership Project Award winner for its Crown Hills community. Marketing techniques used by RJT Builders include an ongoing, monthly contract with Cassle Communications, an advertising and public relations firm that informs potential customers about the benefits of energy efficiency and RJT Builders homes through regular news releases. RJT Builders regularly conducts comprehensive surveys of their homebuyers for testimonials regarding home energy features, operation, and maintenance. |
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Ron Putman Construction, Inc. |
Award: 1998 Silver Winner |
Ron Putman Construction, Inc. , has been in business for 15 years and typically builds 20 homes per year. Prices range from $100,000 to $450,000 per home. This 1,982 square foot home in Panama City, Florida cost $77 per square foot to build, excluding land. Energy efficiency features include a closed-loop heat pump water heater used with the geothermal heating and cooling system. Air infiltration is limited by sealing all plumbing and electrical wiring penetrations, bath fan housings, and electrical receptacles with foam or caulking; sealing all window and exterior door casing gaps with foam; and sealing the exterior perimeter base plate with sill sealer. HVAC supply and return air boot fittings are sealed after the ceiling gypsum board is completed. During the design stage each home is evaluated for the orientation of all glass, proper use of natural shading, porches and overhangs, energy gains and losses due to air infiltration, and occupant and appliance energy loads. Waste reduction techniques include using pre-cut lumber for studs and scrap lumber for bracing and jobsite stakes. Gypsum board from interior walls and ceilings is recycled. Ron Putman Construction, Inc. participates with the Gulf Power Company and the Good Cents Home Program. Homes that have a closed-loop geothermal heat pump entitle the homeowner to participate in a program where heating and cooling costs are guaranteed by the Gulf Power Company. |
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Russell Home Builders |
Award: 1996 Honorable Mention |
INNOVATIVE OR ADVANCED HOME in the HOT HUMID SOUTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to Russell Home Builders, Pensacola, FL, for the Energy Smart Home. Russell Home Builders has been in business for 16 years and builds 10 custom homes per year. Best Practices Russell-built homes are innovative in their thorough integration of technology, energy efficiency, and "green-building" in the home building and marketing process. Russell-built homes feature comprehensive energy packages with special emphasis on a tight thermal envelope, geo-thermal heat pumps, and automatic set-back thermostats. The homes also feature solar water heating. A model home is used to demonstrate more than 100 energy features. Salespeople, staff, and subcontractors are thoroughly trained in energy-efficient construction methods. Clients are encouraged to make frequent walk-throughs with the builder. Russell-built homes have won numerous awards, including the 1990 Award for Energy Innovation from the U.S. Department of Energy. |
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R-Valued Homes, Ltd. |
Award: 2004 Gold Award |
R-Valued Homes, LTD has been in business for five years and constructs two homes per year. This 2,700-square-foot home near Anchorage cost $80 per square foot to build, not including land. According to the EVHA judges, R-Valued Homes built an "incredible home" that has "amazing" utility bills. The company was described by the judges as innovative, practical, and experienced. The winning home features R-28 Structural Insulated Panel walls, low-e, gas-filled, triple-pane windows; a 96 percent efficient natural gas boiler for space and water heating; a heat recovery ventilator; ENERGY STAR appliances; and a lighting package of 100 percent halogen and fluorescent lighting. All the efficiency features added up to an average monthly heating bill of $32, in a climate where heating is used year-round. The company participates in Energy Rated Homes of Alaska. This home received a score of 97.4 out of a possible 100 points. |
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Ryland Homes Central Texas Division |
Award: 2003 Gold Award and Builder of the Year |
BUILDER OF THE YEAR Ryland Homes Central Texas Division describes its mission as follows: "To achieve the highest satisfaction from customers... through continuously improved products and services while being socially responsible." Under its HouseWorks program, Ryland Homes Central Texas Division has demonstrated its commitment to customer satisfaction by adopting stringent standards of energy-efficient and environmentally responsible construction. The HouseWorks program, Ryland's brand name for homes that meet the Environments for Living program, guarantees energy bills for the first two years of homeownership. To comply with the program, the company provides intensive, company-wide staff training and performs systematic quality inspections to check that procedures are followed and to rapidly identify areas that need improvement. Because of Ryland Homes Central Texas Division's demonstrated commitment to energy-efficient construction, the company earned the highest honors bestowed by the EnergyValue Housing Award program, the EVHA Builder of the Year. GOLD AWARD Ryland Homes Central Texas Division has been in business for 35 years and builds 1,000 homes each year. This 3,154-square-foot home near San Antonio, Texas, was built for $37 per square foot, excluding land. It is one of four homes built to the same specifications. Through a partnership with Masco's Environments for Living program, the builder offers a 2-year guarantee that home heating and cooling will require less than 274 therms and 4,719 kWh per year-for an estimated average monthly cost of $54. The home's energy features include R-20 blown-in cellulose walls, low-e windows with low solar heat gain properties, radiant barrier roof decking, ducts sealed with mastic and completely contained in conditioned space, HCFC refrigerant-free air conditioner, and a direct-vent, condensing furnace (92 AFUE). The builder participates in the following energy programs: ENERGY STAR, Austin Energy Greenbuilder, Masco's Environments for Living and Building America. |
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Schultz Construction |
Award: 1997 Honorable Mention |
Awarded for the Williams residence located in Lincoln, Nebraska. Schultz Construction has been in business for 23 years and typically builds 15-20 custom houses per year. BEST PRACTICES Analysis of energy efficiency features prior to construction helped determine the most cost-effective heating and cooling system. The predicted savings resulting from insulated basement walls convinced the buyers to have the basement insulated. Upgraded features include the use of foundation insulation, R-14 wall cavity insulation, R-40 attic insulation, and air sealing. Triple-pane, low-e glazing, a 92 percent AFUE furnace, 12 SEER air conditioner, heat recovery ventilator, and power-vented water heater are also included. Other features include air-tight recessed lights equipped with halogen bulbs and the placement of all ducts within the conditioned space. Blower door and infrared testing were performed to determine the air exchange rate and identify weaknesses in the insulation coverage. Sub-contractors who work for Schultz are exposed to energy efficient construction methods through Schultz's training sessions, including attending a blower door and infrared test. An energy efficiency construction video produced by the University of Minnesota is provided to potential buyers to inform them of the advantages of energy efficiency construction techniques. Realtors who work with Schultz are also provided with a copy of this video and given personal tours of their houses to inform them of the energy efficiency features. Schultz informs potential buyers of the availability of a new state program which will provide mortgage interest reductions of 1/4 to 1 percent on houses which meet or exceed the 1993 Model Energy Code. |
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Shaw Homes, Inc. |
Award: 1998 Gold Winner |
Shaw Homes, Inc., has been in business for nine years and typically builds 134 houses per year, including 59 move-up homes. Prices range from $180,000 to $1,700,000 per home. Construction costs to build this home in the Prairie Crossing Community near Chicago, IL were $76 per square foot, excluding land costs. Energy efficiency features include using Optimum Value Engineering (OVE) wood framing techniques to reduce lumber needs and waste, while increasing energy efficiency. This framing technique results in approximately 25 to 30 percent less waste than traditional framing. Resource conservation technologies include three recycling bins standard in each home. Additionally, a community composting system encourages waste reduction throughout the life of these homes. Compost can be used in the community garden. Three hundred and fifty acres of farmland and wetlands were preserved and protected from further development. To allay concerns of local code officials about the innovative features proposed for Prairie Crossing, Shaw Homes worked with code officials throughout the construction process. The result of this effort was a new voluntary code that surpasses the current code, the Advanced Energy Efficient and Resource Efficient Single-Family Residence Code, that was adopted by Lake County, Illinois in early 1996. The Prairie Crossing community has a unique storm water management system that improves water quality over a traditional system. Through a system of source control and restored landscapes, storm water runoff and pollutant loads are minimized. Storm water swales, upland prairie biofiltration systems, and wetlands help remove suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorus, and metals and prevent these contaminants from reaching nearby water systems. This system saved $1.2 million over a traditional storm water management system. Shaw Homes works with Norwest Mortgage to provide Prairie Crossing home buyers with energy efficient mortgages. Using Norwest's program, energy cost savings are figured into the mortgage and home buyers can qualify for about 7% more financing than with a traditional mortgage. Shaw Homes, Inc. participates in the United States Department of Energy's Building America Initiative. In 1995, the 317 single-family home Prairie Crossing community received the first National Conservation Award from the Conservation Fund. |
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Skyline Homes, Inc
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Award: 2006 Honorable Mention
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Solarco Shelter Solutions |
Award: 1996 Winner |
INNOVATIVE OR ADVANCED HOME in the MODERATE CLIMATE REGION is awarded to SolarCo along with Innovative Design and Designer's Way, Inc., for the 2,886-square-foot Preston and Lorenz home in Hillsborough, NC. SolarCo has been in business for four years and builds two to three custom homes per year. Best Practices This well-insulated house features passive solar design and orientation. The energy package includes passive solar flooring, Trombe walls, a metal reflective wood stove rotating surround, radiant heat flooring, and a heat pump for back-up and cooling. Domestic hot water is supplied 100 percent by a solar collection system and heat storage equipment. Solar collectors heat a water-filled thermal storage tank. An LP-fired boiler provides back-up heat to the tank. Space heating is provided by pumping the heated water through piping in the floor slab while domestic hot water is supplied by a heat exchanger placed in the tank. A heat pump and forced-air distribution system primarily provide summer cooling. The heat pump is also connected to an evaporator coil in the thermal storage tank and can extract heat from the tank if both solar and gas should fail. Built to American Disability Act standards. Construction details are faxed to subcontractors for review in advance of construction. Takes advantage of North Carolina Solar Center for staff and customer education. Staff attend solar tours and seminars yearly to keep up with technological advances in the industry. |
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South Wall Builders/Loken
Builders |
Award: 1996 Honorable Mention |
INNOVATIVE OR ADVANCED HOME in the COLD NORTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to South Wall Builders, Missoula, MT, for the Timber-Tech House, a two-bedroom craftsman-style home with a wood foundation. South Wall Builders has been in business for 13 years and builds six move-up homes a year. Best Practices The 980-square foot infill house uses aggressive energy-efficiency features in the envelope, including R-60 insulation in the ceiling, 2x6 studs at 24 inches o.c. wall framing with R-24 insulation, and a tight polyethylene air/vapor barrier. The home is heated primarily with a ductless central gas heater and has electric baseboard heat available in the bedrooms. A ventilation heat exchanger is included. The house is heated in zones to allow customized heat in areas as needed while keeping the entire house comfortable with a minimal energy expenditure. Domestic hot water is handled by an on-demand gas hot water heater that efficiently provides the exact amount of hot water needed thereby avoiding the energy wasted by conventional tank hot water heaters. The home highlights 15 advances in the use of wood fiber from recycled and reused wood products. The Center for Resourceful Building Technology (CRBT), a nonprofit organization founded by Steve Loken, selected the materials for the home. CRBT literally wrote the book on resource conservation as cited by some of the winning builders. The home has been open for tours during which the public is educated about its energy- and resource- efficient features. |
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 2006 Gold Award
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 2003 Gold Award |
Stitt Energy Systems, Inc., of Rogers, Arkansas has been building homes since 1978. They constructed this 1,760-square-foot home near Tulsa, Oklahoma for $82 per square foot, excluding land. The building shell consists of low-e, gas filled windows, structural insulated panel walls, and an insulated concrete form foundation. Raised heel roof trusses permit R-38 insulation to be blown over the entire roof area without being compressed at roof edges. Over 50 percent of the lighting in the home (interior and exterior) is fluorescent. Hot water is provided by a flat plate solar collector powered by a photovoltaic pump. An energy recovery ventilator provides fresh air without greatly compromising heating and cooling loads. A photovoltaic pump operates the solar domestic water heating system. Appliances, including a high-efficiency, top-loading washer, are ENERGY STAR rated. The builder is an ENERGY STAR partner. |
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 2003 Silver Award |
Stitt Energy Systems, Inc., has been building homes since 1978, and constructs about 24 homes each year. This 1,866-square-foot custom home was built near Springfield, Missouri for $102 per square foot, excluding land. This passive solar home features large expanses of south-facing windows to absorb solar heat gain in winter and to provide natural daylighting. Overhangs prevent unwanted solar gains during the summer. A 78% efficient wood-burning fireplace provides most of the heating, and a sealed combustion furnace provides supplemental heat. An insulating concrete form foundation combined with structural insulated panel walls create an R-22 foundation and R-24 walls. Raised heel roof trusses allow full attic insulation coverage. A two-speed air conditioning system provides high-efficiency cooling through ductwork that is entirely within conditioned space. A solar hot water system with a photovoltaic powered pump provide most of the hot water for the home. Energy efficient appliances including a front-loading washer and a convection oven, a lighting package that features over half fluorescent lighting, and an energy recovery ventilator complete the efficiency package. |
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 2003 Gold Award |
Stitt Energy Systems, Inc., of Rogers, Arkansas, has been in business for 24 years and builds 24 homes each year.This 4,564-square-foot home was constructed near Effingham, Illinois, for $103 per square foot, excluding land. Insulating concrete forms, with an R-value of 22, comprise the foundation of this award-winning home. Walls and roof are constructed of structural insulated panels that boast R-24 for the six-inch exterior walls and R-16 for the four-inch garage walls. All ductwork is run through the truss floor in conditioned space to maximize HVAC system efficiency. The lighting package includes several windows for daylighting, one solar tube skylight, and fluorescent lighting for over half of the installed fixtures. Heating and cooling are supplied by two systems: a wood boiler and a two-speed heat pump (SEER 16). Two flat plate solar collectors produce hot water, with supplemental hot water provided by a highly insulated electric water heater. An energy recovery ventilator efficiently introduces fresh air into the home. The builder is an ENERGY STAR partner. |
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 2003 Gold Award |
Stitt Energy Systems, Inc., of Rogers, Arkansas which has been in business since 1978, built this 2,786-square-foot home in Fayetteville, Arkansas, for $104 per square foot excluding land. The building shell of this award-winning home consists of an insulating concrete form foundation, structural insulated panel walls, and raised-heel roof trusses that permit full attic insulation coverage. Nearly three-quarters of the lighting is fluorescent. A solar hot water system operated by a solar-powered pump provides nearly all the home's hot water needs. A hot water circulation system provides hot water at faucets at the touch of a button and eliminates the waiting time for water to reach the desired temperature. All major appliances are rated ENERGY STAR. A special "ice house roof" system provides a radiant barrier channel to improve convective air flow and reduce summer heat gain. The builder is an ENERGY STAR partner. |
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 2001 Silver Winner |
Stitt Energy Systems has been building homes since 1978 and currently builds about 24 homes annually. This 1,932-square-foot home was built near Rogers, Arkansas, for $70 per square foot, excluding land. Insulating concrete form foundation walls are R-22 while 2Ó x 6Ó lumber is used to create R-19 above-grade walls. Energy heel trusses allow for complete attic coverage with R-30 fiberglass batt insulation. All ductwork is sealed with mastic and located in conditioned space. Expanded floor trusses were used to run the ductwork between the floor system. Heating is provided by a propane stove and a solar powered in-floor hydronic heating system with electric back-up. A high-efficiency Carrier air conditioner provides cooling; domestic water heating is provided by a solar panel system with an electric back-up. |
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 2001 Silver Winner |
Stitt Energy Systems, founded in 1978, builds about 24 homes per year. This 6,326-square-foot home was built near Springfield, Missouri, for $110 per square foot, excluding land costs. Insulating concrete forms were used for energy efficiency and disaster resistance. All ductwork is sealed with mastic and located in conditioned space. Extensive air sealing results in very low air leakage. Solar panels provide hot water and a high-efficiency heat pump is used for heating (8 HPSF) and cooling (13.1 SEER). A front-loading washer and water-conserving dishwasher complete the energy-efficiency package. |
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 2001 Gold Winner |
Stitt Energy Systems has been in the construction business for 22 years and builds about 24 homes per year. This home was built near Springfield, Missouri, for $105 per square foot, excluding land costs. The core of this energy-efficient home is R-22 insulating concrete form (ICF) foundation walls extending 18" below grade coupled with R-24 above-grade walls constructed of structural insulated panels (SIP). Fresh air is delivered into the tightly sealed home by an 82 percent- efficient energy recovery ventilator. A 13.2-SEER heat pump provides efficient cooling while a solar hot water collector powered by a photovoltaic pump delivers domestic hot water very efficiently. The home is oriented to take advantage of solar heat gain in the winter, and a radiant barrier helps reflect solar heat gain in the attic. The home received a rating of 97.5 by Energy Rated Homes of America. |
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 1999 Silver Winner |
Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. builds 20 homes per year ranging between $170,000 and $350,000. This 2,616 square foot home in Rogers, AR cost $61 per square foot to build, excluding land. Energy-efficiency features include the use of passive solar design to maximize winter heat gain and provide shading during the summer. All ductwork was contained within the conditioned space to prevent energy loss from leaky ductwork. A roof mounted solar collector was installed to provide preheated water. A small photovoltaic pump moves water from the hot water tank through the solar panels. Basement walls were made from Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) technology and walls are framed using 2 x 6 studs. The thick studs allow for a thicker blanket of insulation in the wall cavity than 2 x 4 framing. OSB sheathing was used as a resource-efficient alternative to plywood sheathing. The "Ice-House" roof design was used to maximize ventilation in the roof and reduce summertime cooling needs Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. is an ENERGY STAR builder and participates in the Energy Rated Homes of America program. |
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 1999 Gold Award and Builder of the Year |
BUILDER OF THE YEAR W. Orlo Stitt, president of Stitt Energy Systems, has been dedicated to building energy efficient, attractive homes in traditional neighborhoods for over 20 years. According to Mr. Stitt, every home they build meets their mission of providing "energy efficient homes that are environmentally responsible for the health, welfare, and happiness of our customers, our employees and our investors." Stitt Energy Systems understands the unique challenges of selling energy efficiency in a price-conscious marketplace. Because their sales staff is well-educated about the benefits of owning an energy efficient home, they help promote the value energy efficiency to customers. Stitt Energy Systems continuously proves that energy efficiency is not synonymous with sacrifice by giving customers a beautiful, comfortable, energy-efficient home. GOLD AWARD Stitt Energy Systems, Inc., designs and/or builds 20 homes each year ranging in price from $170,000 to $350,000. This 3,300 square foot home in Rogers, AR cost $85 per square foot to build, excluding land. Energy efficiency features include the use of passive solar orientation and overhangs that maximize winter heat gain and provide shading during the summer. Tubular skylights were used to provide energy-efficient, natural daylighting. The walls were built with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF). The roof and wall penetrations were insulated and air-sealed with Icynene spray foam insulation. All recessed lights, service and utility openings, and cracks around windows, skylights, and doors were sealed against air infiltration. A roof-mounted solar collector provides some of the home's hot water. A solar-operated photovoltaic pump moves antifreeze from the heat exchanger through the solar collectors. Potable water will circulate through the heat exchanger by natural thermosiphoning. Energ-efficienct appliances were used, including a 16 SEER Carrier air conditioner. A heat recovery ventilator will bring fresh air into the home while recovering energy from outgoing conditioned air. Most household and outdoor lighting is provided by fluorsecent fixtures. The "Ice-House" roof design, which helps reduce summertime cooling demand, was used. The floor system will servie as a plenum to distribute air through the house. Where possible, engineered wood products, including glulam beams, engineered I-joists, and engineered strand lumber beams, were specified to reduce waste. Stitt Energy Systems, Inc., is an Energy Star company and participates in the Energy Rated Homes of America program. |
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 1998 Gold Winner |
Stitt Energy Systems has been in business for 19 years and typically builds 15 to 18 custom homes per year. This 1,800 square foot home was built in Tulsa, OK at a cost of $58 per square foot. Energy efficiency features include R-22 insulated concrete form (ICFs) walls below grade, solar water heating, low-e windows, slab edge insulation (via ICFs), 2 x 6 above-grade walls with R-19 batts, and air sealing. Two through-the-wall heat pumps and a wood stove eliminate energy losses through duct work. Stitt also applies passive solar techniques by designing window orientation, location, and overhangs to allow sunlight to enter windows in the winter while shading them in summer. Waste reduction and resource efficiency techniques include ordering precise amounts of material to avoid waste and reordering. Leftovers are put into inventory or auctioned. The carpet is made from recycled plastic soda bottles. Water conserving fixtures are used and the dishwasher has a timer to allow dishes to be washed during the daytime using solar-heated water. Marketing efforts include a seminar entitled "Planning For Your Energy Efficient Custom Home" which is presented to potential customers by Stitt employees many times each year. A local lender provides many Stitt customers with energy efficient mortgages (EEMs) - the buyer of this house was able to take advantage of an EEM. This home received a Five Star Plus energy rating from Energy Rated Homes of America. Stitt is also an EVHA Silver Award winner in the Custom Home Category, Moderate Climate Region. Please see p. 14 for a summary of that award winnning home and additional Stitt practices. |
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 1998 Silver Winner |
Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. has been in business for 19 years and typically builds 15 to 18 custom homes per year. This 3,600 square foot home in O'Fallon, Illinois cost $66 per square foot to build. Energy efficient features include R-26 ICF basement walls, low-e windows, and two geothermal heating/cooling systems with desuperheaters. All ductwork is within conditioned space, extensive air sealing is performed, and an energy recovery ventilation (ERV) system is used. Waste reduction techniques include using glue-laminated beams and engineered floor and roof trusses that primarily use fast-growing, farm-grown trees. Passive solar techniques include facing the home south to allow natural lighting and solar gain in the winter while using overhangs to block the sun in the summer. A Five Star Plus rating was given to this EPA Energy Star home by Energy Rated Homes of America. Stitt is also an EVHA Gold Award winner in the Affordable Home Category, Moderate Climate Region. Please see p. 10 for a summary of that award winnning home and additional Stitt practices. |
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 1997 Winner |
Awarded for the Sarratt residence located in Rogers, Arkansas. Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. has been in business for 18 years and typically builds 15 custom houses per year. BEST PRACTICES This house received a Five Star Plus energy rating from Energy Rated Homes of America and Energy Rated Homes of Arkansas, and was designated a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR house. Upgraded features include the use of insulating, stay-in-place concrete forms for below grade walls, 2x6 walls with R-19 cavity insulation, air infiltration detailing (tested to 0.117 natural air changes per hour), and double-pane, low-e glazing. In addition, the house has a heat pump rated at 11.5 SEER and 7.5 HSPF. All ducts are located in conditioned space, and solar energy is used for primary water heating. Window orientation and shading are designed to minimize solar heat gain in summer and maximize solar heat gain in winter. Stitt has blower door testing conducted at job completion to determine an energy rating but also uses their own blower door after the drywall phase to identify leaks while it is still relatively easy to correct them. Energy efficiency is emphasized throughout their training and printed materials. The working drawings include instructions and pictures which detail energy efficiency features such as air sealing and framing/insulation methods. In addition, Stitt conducts home buyer seminars which include a session on energy efficiency and perform a final walk-through which emphasizes proper operation of the house for maximum efficiency. Careful determination of material needs and re-use of leftover materials minimizes construction waste. Stitt works with a local lender to secure energy efficiency mortgages and provides an EPA ENERGY STAR publication which helps calculate net monthly costs (mortgage plus utilities) with energy efficiency improvements. |
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 1997 Honorable Mention |
Awarded for the Bomar residence located in Decatur, Arkansas. Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. has been in business for 18 years and typically builds 15 custom houses per year. BEST PRACTICES Innovative features include the use of insulating stay-in-place concrete forms for above-grade walls. These foam forms provide an R-25 insulating value. Double-pane, gas-filled glazing, with low-e coating on two glazing surfaces, are also used. Upgraded features include air infiltration detailing (tested to .158 natural air changes per hour), a wall mounted heat pump rated at 11.5 SEER/7.4 HSPF, a radiant barrier, and compact florescent lighting. Five Star energy ratings were given by Energy Rated Homes of America and Energy Rated Homes of Arkansas. Stitt also participates in the EPA ENERGY STAR Program and the Good Cents program operated by Southwestern Electric Power Co. Passive solar design principles were applied by maximizing south-facing window area with proper shading to minimize solar heat gain in summer and maximize solar heat gain in winter. East- and west-facing window area were kept to a minimum to avoid low-angle solar gains. Construction waste is minimized through careful determination of material needs and re-use of any leftover materials. |
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Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. |
Award: 1996 Winner |
CUSTOM HOME GREATER THAN 2,001 SQUARE FEET in the MODERATE CLIMATE REGION is awarded to Stitt Energy Systems, Rogers, AR, for the Oglesby residence. Stitt Energy Systems, Inc., has been in business for 17 years and designs, builds and supplies materials for 15 to 20 custom homes per year. Best Practices Orientation and location are the primary features of the winning house, which is located in a solar planned subdivision in which each home must be oriented to take advantage of the true solar south. The house is designed so that its east/west dimension is longer than its north/south dimension, providing for maximum solar gain in winter. Overhangs are designed for maximum solar gain in winter and minimum solar gain in summer. Deciduous trees provide shade in the summer yet allow the winter sun to warm the home. A wood stove and heat pumps provide secondary and tertiary heating and cooling. One innovative method used in the house is an "Ice House Roof System" whereby a foamcore panel with a radiant barrier on one side is placed between the top chords of the roof trusses 2 inches below the roof decking. The panel is placed with its radiant side up and is continuous from one eave up to the ridge and down to the opposite eave. Continuous ridge and soffit vents are incorporated into the system to provide a constantly moving air stream that draws air up and out of the defined channel as it heats up. The innovation prevents superheated air from building up in the attic space, infiltrating into the house, and raising the cooling bill. Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. produced a plan book that defines and illustrates its corporate philosophy and commitment to energy efficiency and quality along with its 14-step approach to energy efficiency. The company participates in home shows and provides half-day seminars on energy efficiency for prospective customers. Each company employee is also a salesperson who is knowledgeable of many aspects of the business and spends time on the floor at home shows. |
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Stoltzfus Enterprises, Ltd |
Award: 1998 Gold Winner |
Stoltzfus Enterprises, Ltd. has been in business for 23 years and typically builds 34 houses a year. Prices range from $145,000 to $350,000 per home. This 1,900 square foot attached-home was built in Elverson, Pennsylvania for approximately $90 per square foot, excluding land. Energy efficiency features include a carefully sized geothermal system (COP 3 / EER 16) with a desuperheater. All ductwork is located within the conditioned space. Basement walls are constructed with pre-insulated, pre-cast concrete walls. Above-grade exterior walls include R-19 batts and low-e, tinted glazing. Waste reduction techniques include using prefabricated exterior wall panels, reducing jobsite waste through indoor material storage and using steel studs for non-load bearing interior partitions. Marketing techniques include tracking residents' electric bills to prove energy savings to potential buyers and conducting direct marketing and seminars which promote their energy efficiency features and EEMs. Stoltzfus Enterprises participates in Pennsylvania Power and Light's E Seal Certified Comfort Home Program which includes multiple field inspections, blower door and infrared testing, and energy and comfort guarantees. |
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Sunterra Homes, Inc. |
Award: 2006 Gold Award
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Sunterra Homes, Inc. |
Award: 2003 Silver Award |
Sunterra Homes, Inc., of Bend, Oregon has been operating for 26 years and constructs between seven and ten homes per year. This 2,217-square-foot home was built for $100 per square foot, excluding land. The home features low-e, gas-filled windows configured for passive solar design-windows on the south wall have a high solar heat gain coefficient while all other windows have a low solar heat gain coefficient. An innovative wall system provides an R-30 wall, R-49 insulation is blown into the flat ceiling area, and a combination of high-density batt insulation and foam permits R-42 in cathedral ceilings. The builder pays careful attention to air sealing and fresh air is delivered via a heat recovery ventilation system. In-floor heating is used on the first floor and all ductwork, which supplies the second floor only, is sealed with mastic. A water-source heat pump equipped with a desuperheater to collect waste heat provides efficient heating, cooling, and hot water. ENERGY STAR appliances complete the energy package. The builder participates in the Super Good Cents and Portland General Electric's Earth Advantage programs. |
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TJ Bednar Homes
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Award: 2006 Honorable Mention
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T.J. Bednar Homes |
Award: 2003 Silver Award |
T.J. Bednar Homes of Tucson has been in business for 26 years and constructs 120 homes each year. This 1,227-square-foot home was built for $66 per square foot, excluding land. It is one of 33 homes built to the same specifications. This home, designed to fit the architecture of the Tucson area, also contains regionally appropriate energy features. Low-e tinted windows minimize solar heat gain, R-23 walls and special attention to air sealing reduce through-the-wall heat gain and loss, a light-colored roof reduces heat gain, and a batch-type solar water heater provides economical hot water. Walls are framed using optimum value engineering techniques, which reduce lumber needs and improve energy efficiency. Ductwork is sealed with mastic and is fully contained in conditioned space. A solar tube skylight provides energy-free lighting in bathrooms. Under the Tucson Electric Power Guarantee Home program, the home, built in the community of Civano, is guaranteed to cost less than $0.79 per day to heat and cool. |
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Thayer Street
Associates, Inc. |
Award: 1996 Winner |
ATTACHED HOUSING in the COLD NORTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to Thayer Street Associates, Inc. for Pine Street Cohousing in Amherst, MA. Integral to the success of the project was Bruce Coldham, architect/resident, and local utility representative Duncan Prahl, Energy Crafted Home Program Administrator for Western Massachusetts Electric Company. The six duplex units range in size from 1,000 to 1,300 square feet with 650-square-foot finished basements. Best Practices The Energy Crafted Home (ECH) Program, sponsored by Western Massachusetts Electric Company, promotes a "house as a system" approach to energy-efficient construction. Representatives provide technical support and field training. Energy modeling is performed before construction, with inspections during construction and performance testing with a blower door upon completion. Moisture control for long-term durability is ensured through effective system design. The project features a combination of superinsulation, daylighting, and a ground-source heat pump. One judge called the design a "sensitive application of innovative design and products." The airtight construction relies on simple mechanical ventilation that uses an exhaust-only system, which is easily developed from off-the-shelf parts and installed at low cost. It yields high efficiency and good indoor air quality. Roofs are sized, oriented and inclined to accommodate photovoltaics for the future electrical needs of each house. The small footprints and optimized floorplans require less volume to condition. Advanced framing that uses "value engineered" details increases energy efficiency and reduces costs. The "strapped" wall assembly consists of 2x6 studs at 24 inches o.c., with a 2x3 strap at 16 inches o.c. installed horizontally on the stud wall. The assembly creates a 7-inch wall cavity filled with dry-blown cellulose fiber insulation and little thermal bridging. Only 15 percent of project waste was dumped. Waste was sorted on site. Cardboard and metal were recycled; drywall ground up and spread over the land; wood, OSB panels, and rigid insulation were sorted for reuse; and wood burned on site for home heating. Residents designed the project through a consensus process that resulted in the following design criteria: energy efficiency, site and town scale, principles of community, citizenship, self reliance, and sustainability. Community design concepts were used to develop more affordable and sustainable housing that requires less embodied energy. Cluster site design maximized open space and minimized infrastructure needs and costs. Existing trees were preserved for shade and shelter. |
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The Lee Group and Braemar Urban Ventures |
Award: 2000 Gold Winner |
The Lee Group and Braemar Urban Ventures have been in business for over 40 years and build between 200 and 400 homes per year, ranging in price from $150,000 to $1,000,000. They built this 1,709-square-foot, two-story home near Los Angeles for $42 per square foot, excluding land. Braemar Urban Ventures and Lee Homes built a state-of-the-art, affordable home by using several advanced technologies. The 2x6 wood-and-steel-framed house features R-20 wall and R-30 attic Cocoon cellulose insulation. All ductwork is contained within conditioned space to reduce the energy waste associated with duct leakage. The home uses a unique, gas-fired absorption cooling system and a gas water heater. To eliminate the possibility of backdrafting, all combustion appliances are located in the garage. Roof-mounted photovoltaic solar panels are rated to provide between 60 and 100 percent of the home's annual electric use. A preconstruction energy analysis determined the most cost-effective technologies to be included in the home. As part of the federal government's Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) program the house is located adjacent to public transportation in the Village Green community, thereby minimizing the community's overall energy impact. All Village Green homes qualify for an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) and almost all homes are eligible for an FHA photovoltaic loan which gives buyers a credit of one-quarter point on their mortgage interest rate. The builder also participates in several energy-efficiency programs, including GreenStone's Engineered for Life Program. |
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The Lee Group and Braemar Urban Ventures |
Award: 2000 Gold Winner |
The Lee Group and Braemar Urban Ventures have been in business for over 40 years and build between 200 and 400 homes per year, ranging in price from $150,000 to $1,000,000. They built this 1,709-square-foot, two-story home near Los Angeles for $42 per square foot, excluding land. Braemar Urban Ventures and Lee Homes built a state-of-the-art, affordable home by using several advanced technologies. The 2x6 wood-and-steel-framed house features R-20 wall and R-30 attic Cocoon cellulose insulation. All ductwork is contained within conditioned space to reduce the energy waste associated with duct leakage. The home uses a unique, gas-fired absorption cooling system and a gas water heater. To eliminate the possibility of backdrafting, all combustion appliances are located in the garage. Roof-mounted photovoltaic solar panels are rated to provide between 60 and 100 percent of the home's annual electric use. A preconstruction energy analysis determined the most cost-effective technologies to be included in the home. As part of the federal government's Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) program the house is located adjacent to public transportation in the Village Green community, thereby minimizing the community's overall energy impact. All Village Green homes qualify for an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) and almost all homes are eligible for an FHA photovoltaic loan which gives buyers a credit of one-quarter point on their mortgage interest rate. The builder also participates in several energy-efficiency programs, including GreenStone's Engineered for Life Program. |
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The Tower Companies |
Award: 2004 Gold Award |
The Tower Companies has been in business for over 50 years and builds 450 homes each year. This 1,100-square-foot apartment home near Washington, DC, was constructed for $97 per square foot, not including land. The EVHA judges were impressed that the Tower Companies' entire corporate philosophy encompasses energy and resource efficiency. The apartment homes, located near public transportation, are thoroughly tested and inspected during construction for quality control. Marketing efforts include the availability of a negotiated discount rate for green power for renters and a "Green Guide to the Blair Towns" manual that describes the energy- and resource-efficient features of the building. The building shell includes low-e, tinted vinyl windows and full under-slab insulation. All ductwork is located in conditioned space. The lighting package is nearly 100 percent fluorescent and all appliances are ENERGY STAR rated. Tracer gas analysis was conducted to confirm the air-sealing system's performance. |
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Tierra Concrete Homes, Inc
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Award: 2006 Silver Award
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Tierra Concrete Homes, Inc. |
Award: 2005 Honorable Mention |
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Tierra Concrete Homes, Inc. |
Award: 2002 Gold Award and Builder of the Year |
Tierra Concrete Homes' award-winning 4,025-square-foot home in Colorado Springs received a 5-Star-Plus rating from E-Star Colorado. The passive solar concrete home uses overhangs, orientation, and the clever use of windows to optimize solar heat gain in the winter and minimize unwanted solar heat gain. Large, south-facing windows have a high solar heat gain coefficient to allow most of the solar energy to be transmitted indoors. Overhangs protect the southern exposure from unwanted solar heat gain when the sun is high overhead in the summer. North, west, and east windows are minimized, and low solar heat gain coefficient windows are used. 96-square-feet of solar panels preheat water for domestic use and in-floor radiant heating. An energy-recovery ventilator introduces fresh air into the home while recovering heat from the outgoing air. The home was built to the standards of Green Built Colorado, a program of the HBA of Metro Denver. |
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Tierra Concrete Homes, Inc. |
Award: 2001 Gold Winner |
Tierra Concrete Homes, Inc., has been building energy-efficient concrete homes for the past five years and currently builds four homes each year. This 2,200-square-foot house was built near Pueblo, Colorado, for $68 per square foot. This winning home features passive solar orientation, insulated concrete walls, and windows designed to collect the maximum amount of solar heat. South-facing windows have a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.73 and all other windows have a SHGC of 0.36. A good insulation package, air sealing details, a heat recovery ventilator, and a double-door airlock entry provide an energy-efficient building shell. Super-efficient appliances, including a hydronic heating system powered by solar panels, complete the energy package. Photovoltaic panels, a solar hot water system, and passive solar design are expected to provide almost 100 percent of the energy for the home, which is under study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. |
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Tierra Concrete Homes, Inc. |
Award: 2000 Gold Winner |
Tierra Concrete Homes has been in business for four years and builds about four move-up homes each year. This 2,800-square-foot home was built near Denver for about $68 per square foot, excluding land. Tierra Concrete Homes uses an innovative approach to new home construction¾all of its concrete homes are designed to take advantage of the sun's energy. The extensive use of concrete makes Tierra's award-winning home act much like a storage device that holds daytime solar heat for nighttime use. Because concrete is naturally airtight, the home resists outdoor air infiltration that can cause drafts, therefore, the amount of energy needed to heat the home is reduced. A raised-heel roof truss allows a thick layer of insulation to blanket the entire attic area, alleviating the common problem of compressed insulation at attic edges. Tierra Concrete Homes' uses the design analysis program, Energy-10, to optimize energy features. Heating is provided by a gas log fireplace and radiant floor heat supplied by a combination of solar hot water panels and a propane boiler. Because the home's passive solar design helps minimize cooling needs, cooling is provided by ceiling fans. No ductwork was needed in the home for the heating and cooling systems, although the flexible duct used for the heat recovery ventilation system was sealed with mastic¾a practice that reduces energy use and optimizes system performance. In addition, an innovative frost-protected shallow foundation minimizes heat loss to the ground. Windows on the south side of the home are coated with a special glazing for high solar heat gain and energy-efficient doors are rated with an R-value of greater than seven. Precast concrete walls reduce construction-site waste. |
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Tierra Concrete Homes, Inc. |
Award: 1999 Silver Winner |
Tierra Concrete Homes has been in business for four years and has garnered two EVHA gold medals previously. They typically build five houses per year, ranging in price from $142,00 to $ 228,000. This one-story house located near Pueblo, CO has 1,792 square feet of living space and was built at a cost of $89 per square foot, excluding the cost of land. Energy-efficiency features include the use of passive solar features that are designed to store daytime heat for release to the interior at nighttime when outdoor temperatures drop below the desired indoor temperature. Passive solar design was achieved by using concrete for the exterior walls and a decorative, colored concrete slab for the floor. Window shading, selection, and orientation were also optimized for passive solar benefits. The great majority of window area occurs on the south side, with overhangs for summer shading. Exterior walls were covered on the outside with R-14 foam insulation and R-5 foam insulation is placed under the entire slab. A frost-protected shallow foundation system that provides foundation insulation and reduces foundation cost and soil disturbance was also used. Raised-heel trusses were used to provide full-depth insulation over the exterior walls. Because of these energy-efficiency features, a single gas-log fireplace with a thermostat will be used to heat the entire house. This approach reduces first-cost for HVAC equipment drastically. Tierra Concrete Homes further reduced projected energy consumption by not installing any incandescent lights in permanent fixtures-three fixtures use fluorescent tubes and 13 fixtures accomodate compact fluorescent bulbs. Tierra Concrete Homes considers sustainable construction as the "backbone" of their marketing and company identity. This house was the first one to receive the "Green Built" designation awarded by the Green Builder Program of the Colorado Home Builders Association. The house also received a HERS rating of 94 from Energy Rated Homes of Colorado and has worked with the U.S. DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as part of their Exemplary Building Program. |
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Tierra Concrete Homes, Inc. |
Award: 1998 Gold Winner |
Tierra Concrete Homes has been in business for two years and has built five houses per year, ranging in price from $85,000 to $215,000. Construction costs to build this winning home in Buena Vista, CO were $80 per square foot, excluding land. Energy efficiency features include a frost-protected shallow foundation, insulated exterior concrete walls, a hydronic radiant floor system fueled by a gas boiler, ceiling fans for low-cost cooling, and a heat recovery ventilator. Passive solar design features include concrete interior walls that absorb and store solar heat and large, south-facing windows with overhangs to maximize solar gain in the winter, minimize solar gain in the summer, and provide natural lighting. Tierra Concrete's homes feature high indoor air quality through the use of low VOC paint and sealant, solid wood cabinets, and area rugs over stained and stamped concrete floors in place of carpeting. Exhaust fans and natural ventilation are provided in both bathrooms, and a heat recovery ventilator uses an extra filter to eliminate 99.95% of pollutants from the air. Construction waste is reduced by using concrete precast at a manufacturing site. Lumber is used only for window and door blockouts, premanufactured trusses, wooden I-joists and roof sheathing. Gypsum board is used only on the ceiling and two framed plumbing walls. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory found these passive solar homes to be up to 85% more efficient than conventional homes built to the Model Energy Code. Tierra Concrete Homes received a Five Star Plus rating from Energy Rated Homes of Colorado and is a participant in the EPA Energy Star homes program. |
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Tierra Concrete Homes, Inc. |
Award: 1997 Winner |
Awarded for the Fosdick residence located in Pueblo West, Colorado. Tierra Concrete Homes has been in business for two years and typically builds eight custom houses per year. BEST PRACTICES Based on plan analysis, Energy Rated Homes of Colorado predicts a Five Star Plus rating. This house is also part of the DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) Exemplary Building Program which has predicted that this house will use 85 percent less energy than a similar home built to the Model Energy Code. NREL's analysis predicts that heating and cooling bills will total less than $100 per year. Innovative features include the strong passive solar design with large amounts of mass for solar energy storage and the use of a frost-protected shallow foundation. This foundation reduces the depth of the foundation, reducing excavation, by installing R-11 insulation around the foundation walls and footing so that heat from the building essentially raises the frost depth. Exterior and interior walls are constructed of precast concrete, with the exterior walls having R-14 foam on the outside. Properly shaded, south-facing, clerestory windows allow daylighting of the northern portion of the house. Heating is provided by two gas-log stoves controlled by thermostats, and radiant ceiling panels in the bathrooms. Ceiling fans, also controlled by thermostats, are installed for cooling. High density R-38 batt insulation is installed in the cathedral ceilings. Low-e glazing and compact florescent lights are also used. Tierra Concrete Homes market their energy efficiency by conducting quarterly seminars and providing flyers describing energy efficiency features and home energy ratings. Tierra promotes the use of Energy Efficiency Mortgages (EEMs) by working with local lenders, appraisers, and Realtors through the Energy Rated Homes of Colorado organization. |
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Timbers to Trim Carpentry |
Award: 1996 Winner |
HOME LESS THAN 2,000 SQUARE FEET in the COLD NORTH CLIMATE REGION is awarded to Timbers to Trim in West Brookfield, MA, for the Brown residence/workshop. Glenn D'Alessio, owner of Timbers to Trim, has been in business for 26 years and specializes in custom additions and improvements but also builds custom homes such as the winning entry. Best Practices Glenn D'Alessio is a certified Energy Crafted Home (ECH) builder and participates in the program as sponsored by Massachusetts Electric. An ECH representative calculates projected energy usage based on house plans using REM/Design. During construction, the representative performs a whole-house blower door test for air leakage. When the final inspection is passed, monitoring equipment for measuring energy usage is installed. This 1,728-square-foot residence/workshop uses 6-inch thick high-density unfaced fiberglass insulation in the exterior walls and 1/2-inch thick foil-faced rigid insulation on the interior side of these walls. Any wiring in the attic ceiling is placed between the strapping but below the continuous vapor barrier; thus, there are no electrical penetrations through the polyethylene vapor barrier. Rafters do not sit on top of the walls; instead, they are raised above the ceiling beams to permit the placement of more insulation near the eaves. All rim joists and headers are stepped in 2 inches to allow for extra rigid insulation. A geothermal heat pump supplies heating and air conditioning and helps heat hot water during the summer. The hot water heater uses an electric heat pump and gains heat in winter from the ventilation exhaust air. From October 1994 through April 1995, the building cost $278 to heat. Air conditioning from May through July cost only $23. D'Alessio markets Timbers to Trim Carpentry and ECH by word-of-mouth and direct mail. He demonstrates for customers the healthy air quality and cost savings associated with mechanically ventilated, tight, well-insulated houses compared to the average house. An ECH video that high-lighted construction techniques and other advantages of ECH homes is available for customers. |
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
Award: 1998 Winner |
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are working together to promote the ENERGY STAR label as a smart consumer decision for products, building upgrades, and homes that save money while they help to save the planet. The ENERGY STAR Homes Program boasts more than 300 builder and developer partners across the United States, and an estimated 15,000 ENERGY STAR Homes will be built by end of 1998. Energy used in homes accounts for over 20% of all air pollution emissions in the country. ENERGY STAR Homes are expected to reduce annual carbon emissions approximately 4 million metric tons by the year 2010. ENERGY STAR Homes are at least 30% more energy efficient than homes built to the national Model Energy Code. This is equivalent to a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Five-Star Home per the national HERS guidelines developed by DOE and the HERS Council. As builders and developers incorporate better building practices, the ENERGY STAR Homes Program provides them with a brand name label and preferred mortgage financing to distinguish their products in the market place. Additionally, the program gives Americans the opportunity, whether buying affordable or luxury homes, to feel good about helping the environment while living in more comfortable homes that will cost them less to own from the first day they move in. Their ENERGY STAR Homes cost less because monthly energy savings typically exceed the small increments in monthly mortgage costs to pay for the extra energy features. In addition, ENERGY STAR Homes can be positioned for higher resale with years of low utility bills and less obsolescent technologies. |
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U.S. Home Colorado Division |
Award: 2001 Silver Winner |
U.S. Home Colorado Division has built homes for 43 years. It typically constructs about 1,500 homes each year. This 7,600-square-foot house is one of 25 homes built to the same specifications. It was built near Denver for $148 per square foot, excluding land. Every home built by U.S. Home Colorado division meets Built Green Colorado (an energy- and resource-efficiency program of the HBA of Metro Denver) standards. The home received a five-star-plus rating from E-Star Colorado, was part of the Parade of Homes, and was toured by over 130,000 people. Engineered lumber framing and recycled-newsprint Cocoon cellulose insulation conserves resources. Tinted windows, R-26 wall insulation, and raised-heel roof trusses with R-38 attic insulation form the energy-efficient building shell. The high-performance building envelope is enhanced by a Carrier 90 percent-efficient natural gas furnace and a power-vented water heater. Rolling shutters on the south-facing wall of windows reduce unwanted solar gain while maintaining the desired views. |
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U.S. Home Corporation - Tucson Division |
Award: 1998 Silver Winner |
US Home Corporation has been in business for 43 years and its Tucson division typically builds 407 homes per year, including 161 starter homes. Prices range from $95,000 to $174,560 per home. This 1,422 square foot home in Tucson, Arizona cost $40 per square foot to build, excluding land. Energy efficiency features include R-21 blown-in-blanket fiberglass insulation in walls, an R-38 ceiling, and Therma-Tru insulated entry doors. Fiberglass insulated ducts are sealed with mastic to reduce air loss. A patented mechanical/passive ventilation system insures indoor air quality. Air infiltration is evaluated by performing blower door tests on a random sampling of houses. Site orientations are chosen to avoid west-facing rear elevations. All homes include front and rear covered porch designs that reduce sunlight in the summer but allow the low sun to provide daylighting in the winter. Marketing strategies include an energy efficiency insert that was included in 300,000 Southwest Gas bills, a radio advertising campaign, and a partnership with Southwest Gas and a real estate school to offer $5 certificates for continuing education to real estate agents who brought prospective homebuyers to US Home communities. The EA+ logo is included on all US Home sales brochures, advertising, and sales center signage. US Home participates in the Energy Advantage Plus (EA+) program of the Southwest Gas Corporation, the only natural gas utility-sponsored program to receive the All Star Award from the Home Energy Rating System Council and the Arizona Home Energy Rating System (AzHERS). |
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Valley Manufactured
Housing, Inc. |
Award: 2002 Silver Winner |
Valley Manufactured Housing's 1,300-square-foot home in Yakima, WA puts energy efficiency features in its homes that sets the company apart from the competition. R-33 floor insulation, low-e, gas-filled windows, 2" x 6", R-21 walls, and R-49 ceilings are just a few of the efficiency features included. A tubular skylight introduces daylighting to reduce daytime lighting needs without adding a lot of heat. The factory construction helps control job site waste and eases recycling. The builder participates in Super Good Cents and the Energy Star for Homes programs. |
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Valley Manufactured
Housing, Inc. |
Award: 2001 Gold Winner |
Valley Manufactured Housing, Inc., has been fabricating factory-built homes for the past 11 years and currently builds about 400 units annually. This 1,902-square-foot HUD-code house was built near Yakima,Washington, for $35 per square foot. The exterior insulation and air sealing package creates an energy-efficient building shell that includes R-33 floors, R-21 walls, R-49 flat ceilings, and R-38 cathedral ceilings. A whole-house exhaust fan is coupled with window air intake vents to ensure indoor air quality. Factory assembly reduces waste and permits in-house and third-party quality inspections. All Valley Manufactured Housing construction meets or exceeds the Super Good Cents Energy standards. |
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Valley Manufactured
Housing, Inc. |
Award: 2000 Gold Winner |
Valley Manufactured Housing has been in business for ten years and builds over 500 starter, move-up, and luxury homes per year. The company built this 1,390-square-foot house near Yakima, Washington, for $36 per square foot, not including land. Valley Manufactured Housing's award-winning home features an efficient building shell that includes low-E, gas-filled windows, R-33 floor insulation, R-49 attic insulation, 2- x 6- inch walls with R-21 high-density fiber glass batt insulation, and systematic air sealing. An exhaust-only mechanical ventilation system coupled with window air intake vents maintain indoor air quality. ENERGY STAR appliances and lighting fixtures that accommodate compact fluorescent lamps help keep energy bills low. Its in-plant construction allows Valley Manufactured Housing to control product quality. All of the homes built by Valley Manufactured Housing meet or exceed the specifications of the Super Good Cents (SGC) program. Under that program, all Valley Homes qualify for energy-efficiency mortgages that allow buyers to stretch their debt-to-income ratio. In addition, homes that meet SGC specifications have an added value of at least $1.00 per square foot in the National Automobile Dealers Association (N.A.D.A.) appraisal guide. |
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Veridian Homes |
Award: 2007 Gold Award and Builder of the Year |
Veridian's philosophy is to "use less." As such, the builder recycles extensively on the jobsite and devotes time and resources to land planning, habitat restoration, and water conservation. The company specializes in building homes and neighborhoods dedicated to Smart Growth and green-building practices. Even their mission statement includes a category devoted to the environment, stating that Veridian will "use certified energy-efficient designs and green, environmentally-sound practices." All their homes built in 2006 will earn the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR label and received Green Built Home certification. As part of their commitment to quality, the company is a National Housing Quality certified builder. |
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Watt Homes a Division of WL Homes |
Award: 2000 Gold Winner |
Watt Homes-a Division of WL Homes has been in business for 52 years and builds 250 starter and move-up homes per year. This 1,938-square-foot house near Salt Lake City was built for $67 per square foot, excluding land. Every year, Watt Homes builds 230 houses that meet the specifications of this award-winning home. Using blown cellulose in all walls with rigid foam board over OSB, Watt Homes builds R-20, 2 x 4 above-grade walls. Raised-heel roof trusses permit R-45 blown cellulose insulation to cover the entire attic, eliminating the problem of compressed insulation at attic edges. Heat from a high-efficiency Carrier gas furnace is distributed by ductwork located in conditioned space. Each Watt home is sealed against air infiltration with caulk at the baseboards and the top and bottom of walls, with gaskets at attic access doors, with foam sealant at all interior penetrations in wall and floor cavities, and with silicone at all exterior penetrations. All electrical boxes are outfitted with foam gaskets, and all electrical outlets are fitted with child protection plugs to reduce air infiltration. Watt Homes' advertisements demonstrate the company's commitment to energy efficiency by explaining various energy-efficiency features and including a checklist of all efficiency features that are standard in a Watt home. The company is an ENERGY STAR builder. |
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Watt Homes a Division of WL Homes |
Award: 1999 Silver Winner |
Watt Homes has been in business for 51 years and builds approximately 250 homes per year ranging in price from $135,000 to $175,000. This home in Provo, Utah was built for $67 per square foot. Energy-efficiency features of this award-winning home include Therma-Tru insulated doors, blown cellulose wall cavity insulation, and raised-heel roof trusses with R-45 blown cellulose insulation. Raised heel roof trusses are deep at the edges to provide room for a thick blanket of insulation to extend to the outer edges of a roof. Walls were sheathed with OSB and insulated on the outside with R-7 rigid foam board insulation. All ductwork was contained within conditioned space, a practice that minimizes duct energy losses, and insulated with one inch (R-7) of rigid foam board insulation on the cold air returns. A Carrier "Heat Miser" gas furnace was installed for efficient heating. Watt Homes uses energy efficiency as a selling point for all their homes. They include a checklist of energy features that helps educate the consumer about energy-efficiency design features. The company is an ENERGY STAR builder and participates in Energy Rated Homes of Utah. |
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Watt Homes a Division of WL Homes |
Award: 1998 Silver Winner |
Awarded for a residence in Stansbury Park, Utah. Watt homes has been in business for 50 years and builds about 238 homes per year ranging in price from $112,500 to $150,400. Energy efficiency features of this winning production home include raised-heel roof trusses with R-45 blown cellulose insulated ceilings, a foil radiant barrier at unfinished basement walls, an attic ventilation system and vented soffit for summer cooling, low-e windows, and sealed ducts fully located within conditioned space. Air infiltration detailing includes foam sealing at all exterior and interior wall penetrations and gaskets on all electrical boxes, attic entries, and wall base plates. Marketing techniques include educating the customer about energy efficiency features and their effect on utility bills. A comparison checklist of energy features of Watt Homes versus conventional homes gives the home buyer an overview of unique energy features of Watt Homes. Homeowners are provided with an easy to read homeowners manual for troubleshooting and preventative maintenance and are informed about various home energy loan programs and energy efficient mortgages. Watt Homes received a Five Star rating from Energy Rated Homes of Utah and participates in the EPA Energy Star homes program. |
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Wayne Homes, LLC |
Award: 2001 Silver Winner |
Wayne Homes, LLC, has been building homes since 1973 and now builds 760 homes annually. This 2,680-square-foot house is one of over 2,400 houses built to the same specifications. It was constructed for $34 per square foot, excluding land. Wayne Homes conducted consumer surveys to deter- mine energy features most desired by new homebuyers. It used a wall system consisting of high-density fiberglass batt insulation in the cavity and R-3 foam sheathing. R-19 batt insulation is used at rim joists, and R-40 (R-38 cathedral) ceiling insulation completes the insula- tion package. All ductwork is contained in conditioned space, and Puronª (non-CFC refrigerant) high-SEER air conditioning is an option. The house received an ENERGY STAR rating of 88.5. |
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Wayne Homes, LLC |
Award: 2000 Silver Winner |
Wayne Homes, LLC, has been in business for 26 years and builds 700 starter and move-up homes each year. Wayne Homes built this 2,320-square-foot home in Massillon, Ohio, for $31 per square foot, excluding land. Wayne Homes' award-winning entry is one of more than 800 homes that the company has built to the same energy-efficiency specifications. The homes feature low-E, argon-filled vinyl windows, R-8 below-grade insulation, R-18 above-grade walls, and R-40 attic insulation. All ductwork is sealed and contained within conditioned space. Wayne Homes uses advanced framing (optimum value engineering) techniques that reduce lumber consumption and improve energy efficiency. In particular, Wayne Homes constructs three-stud corners that accommodate more insulation than conventional corners. Since many products, such as sheathing, come in two-foot increments, the company designs its homes using two-foot increments to minimize waste. Wayne Homes' sales staff undergoes an intensive six-week training course in the company's energy-efficiency features (and other aspects of the company's homes and business). Wall section cutaways included in each sales model demonstrates Wayne Homes' energy-efficient design and construction practices. Blower door testing helped Wayne Homes receive a five-star rating from the ENERGY STAR New Homes Program for its energy-efficient design. |
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WCI Communities, Inc. |
Award: 2004 Silver Award |
WCI Communities has been in business for 50 years and builds more than 2,000 homes each year. This 1,555-square-foot home was built near Palm Beach, Florida, for $131 per square foot, excluding land. The EVHA judges commended WCI Communities' mission statement, which demonstrates the company's desire to be a leader in energy efficiency among production home builders. First-floor walls are built with insulating concrete forms, while the wood-framed second-story walls are filled with spray foam insulation. Tinted windows reduce solar heat gain. A sealed attic design allows all ductwork to be located in conditioned space. Fiber optic lighting is used in the kitchen; about 80 percent of the home's light fixtures were fitted with compact fluorescent bulbs. Water heating is provided by a tankless water heater; solar energy heats the pool. A 15-SEER air conditioning system and ENERGY STAR appliances complete the energy package. The company participates in the ENERGY STAR, Florida Green Building Coalition, and Florida Power and Light BuildSmart programs. WCI Communities would like to thank The Florida Solar Energy Center, The Florida Green Building Coalition, and Florida Power and Light's BuildSmart Program. |
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West Slope Panel Homes, LLC |
Award: 1997 Honorable Mention |
Awarded for the Peterson residence located in Stevensville, Montana. West Slope Panel Homes has been in business for one year and built one starter house and two custom houses last year. BEST PRACTICES Analysis of this house by the local electric co-op, as part of the Super Good Cents Program for energy efficient new homes, predicted annual heating costs of $300. This compares to $700 predicted for the same house built to the state energy code. Materials are selected based on their resource efficiency, energy efficiency, and ability to be recycled. Solar orientation was considered in the design, maximizing glazing on the south side of the house to take advantage of solar heat gains in the winter. Structural insulated panels (SIPS) were used for the walls and roof structure. The wall panels have an R-value of 26 and the roof panels have an R-value of 40. R-11 foam insulation was placed under the entire slab, foam forms were used to construct the below-grade walls, and the band board was insulated to R-21. The windows are triple-glazed, gas-filled, tinted, and have a low-e coating (Heat Mirror). Air sealing was performed, resulting in a tested value of 1.24 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals of pressure (ACH50). At this pressure, six to ten air changes per hour are typical for new homes. A heat recovery ventilator was installed to provide additional, controllable ventilation. West Slope Panel Homes markets their energy efficiency focus by providing potential customers with blower door test data, energy analyses, and cost of operation of their previously built houses. They stress low operating costs, indoor air quality, and resource efficiency. Local real estate agents have been provided with product information and test data to help them understand the energy efficiency benefits of houses built by West Slope Panel Homes. |
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Wonderland Hill Development Company |
Award: 2005 Silver Award |
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Yavapai College Residential Building
Technology |
Award: 2007 Gold Award |
Surrounded by a green-built educational facility, students of Yavapai College's Residential Building Technology (RBT) program are introduced to the big picture. Yavapai College's RBT program curriculum, one of the most progressive residential construction programs in the country, combines classroom construction with practical, hands-on skills training. According to program director Tony Grahame, "Our students leave the program with the understanding that architects, engineers, master builders, and owners must work as a team." Although the program focuses on teaching students how to construct green homes, the program's goal extends to educating consumers and the local building community about the benefits of building green. |
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Yavapai College Residential Building
Technology |
Award: 2007 Gold Award |
Through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Yavapai College's Residential Building Technology (RBT) program has proven that building science principles and green building concepts can be applied to affordable housing. Yavapai College's RBT program worked with the Prescott Area Habitat for Humanity program to modify a basic floor plan in order to incorporate as many green building principles as possible within the strict budget set by HFH. This affordable home includes many features found in the green building guidelines of leading organizations such as the National Association of Home Builders, the Energy and Environmental Building Association, the American Lung Association, and the U.S. Green Building Council. |
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Yavapai College |
Award: 2005 Gold Award |
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Yorktown 1781 Developers |
Award: 1996 Winner |
COMMUNITY in the MODERATE CLIMATE REGION is awarded to Yorktown 1781 Developers in Boothwyn, PA, for the Yorktown 1781 Community. Yorktown 1781 Developers has been in business for 12 years and builds 20 starter homes per year. Best Practices Yorktown participates in the Energy Services Group (ESG) Energy Edge 2000 Program. ESG performs air sealing at three stages of construction, and checks the integrity of the building envelope with infra-red scanning equipment. ESG also performs a final blower door test of the home after closing the sale of the home. Occupants are present during the demonstration to experience the company's commitment to energy efficiency. Yorktown uses a balanced energy package with R-30 blown attic insulation, R-13 batts in 2x4 walls with R-7 foam sheathing, and R-8 interior foamboard in basements. An innovative ladder-framed component used in place of solid band joist takes advantage of scrap lumber and provides better insulation. Gas furnaces of 92 percent efficiency and 10 SEER air conditioners are used. Ducts are sealed and insulated to R-4 where they pass through the attic, in addition to being covered by attic insulation. Pressurization in bedrooms is checked with doors closed to ensure adequate return airflow under doors. Air-tightness is controlled so that the homes do not leak excessively and waste energy yet do not require full-time mechanical ventilation. Energy upgrades are selected to meet a seven-year payback test. Monthly energy savings are greater than the additional monthly cost of financing. Model homes feature wall cutaways demonstrating the energy efficiency of the envelope and interior walls. Experienced salespeople use the cutaways as tools to sell the value-added efficiency of Yorktown homes. |
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