We're a GREEN builder
Prestige Mountain Homes currently strives to build to the requirements of a California Green Builder. We are already building to a standard that is 20% more stringent than in 2005. Every year since then we have continued to raise the bar. Building Green means making your house work as a system. This involves four basic elements. The Green Building system is based on “building science” and the systems work together to produce:
Energy Efficiency
Indoor Environmental Quality
Water Efficiency
Durability
Following is what is automatically included in your new “Green Home”, and if in the description there is the word “option” we can give you a price to include that item as well.
Windows
We use glass with advanced technologies like low–emittance glass (Low E) and composite framing materials. Low E is a coating put on glass that simply blocks heat waves. In the winter it keeps the heat where it belongs.... inside. And in the summer it keeps heat where it belongs... outside. We take Low E further by using the more advanced SunCoat Max Low E which is a triple coat Low E giving 60% better performance over Low E.
Insulation
It’s not enough to insulate. There is a difference in how we insulate and we make sure it is done most effectively. For example, if there is a 3 inch gap in insulation in the ceiling and the attic is 120 degrees, then your 3 inch gap is 120 degrees as well. Optionally for about $4,000 per house, we can spray insulation using foam or cellulose (recycled newspaper treated with Borate). Foam spray not only seals air gaps but is rated with about 15% more R value than fiberglass.
Air Barrier
We use a separate air barrier which inhibits air from entering and exiting the building envelope. This plays an important role not only in energy efficiency but also in durability, because it is part of the system that controls air, heat and moisture flows. Our air barrier is continuous and all penetrations are sealed.
Super Green
To go super green is optional. This is our 20-20-20 vision for super green compared to conventionally code-built homes: 20% savings in household energy, 20% savings in indoor water consumption, and 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (currently the average is 22,580 pounds). Moisture is one of the three primary physical forces adversely affecting the durability of building materials, with air and heat being the other two. Whether it is naturally occurring from condensation or created by cooking and showering, it is important to control moisture. Though we follow practices such as whole house wrap and tub/ shower surrounds being backed with specific water resistant materials, we can show you the option to do even more. Also at an extra cost we can add special “warm color” fluorescents and LED lighting. Incandescent and halogen lighting are 90% heat and 10% light. LED and fluorescents are just the opposite, not only saving energy but cutting down on unnecessary heat in the summer time. The goal in a super green home would be to have 60% of the lighting fluorescent or LED.
We can insulate with optional solid foam between the studs which not only has a better insulative value per inch but cuts air flow dramatically in the walls and ceiling. If incorporated into the mortgage, foaming has a 2 year payoff.
And if you’re ready for this, there is now a satellite based irrigation system that calls the local weather station to decide if it should water the lawn or wait for rain.
Solar Option
There are two kinds of solar we can provide. First is for heating water, and second is to generate electricity. If we can fit it in your budget, we will install solar heat for the water heater. PV (photovoltaic) panels generate electricity which actually turns your meter backwards.
Right Sized Heating and Cooling
We do a computer analysis on each house to determine the exact size for the heater and air conditioner. This saves money and leaves a smaller footprint because your (optional) conditioning unit doesn’t have to work too hard nor too little to achieve the desired temperature. We also use special insulated ductwork with a minimum of R6 insulation and we seal up the ductwork with hi-tech tape to a plenum made from advanced material above the heating unit. The systems usually test at only 12 cubic feet per minute for leakage, which is excellent.
Structural
Where we used to use plywood on shear walls, roofs and floors, we always use oriented strand board (OSB). This material doesn’t require large trees for its manufacture. Many of our beams are engineered beams which also don’t require large trees, and the floor joists are a truss style that is not only green but much quieter. All the siding is an engineered product as is the trim around all the windows. All the rest of the lumber to frame the house is bought only from managed, sustainable forests, which is recognized by the Green Industry as being green. If specified, we use recycled plastic lumber on the decks which not are only green but maintenance free. By using all of the above we save at least one tree per house.
Appliances
We give an allowance for appliances which allows the owner to buy Energy Star appliances. An Energy Star rated appliance saves an average of 30 percent over standard models. Energy efficiency of refrigerators and freezers has tripled over the last three decades. Front loading washers use about 40% less water and half the energy of conventional models. Whirlpool advertises a refrigerator that “uses the same energy as a 60 watt bulb.”
Finish Materials
Factory built components such as trusses and pre hung doors allow more efficient use of raw materials, making the most out of every piece of lumber. These products eliminate the need to cut wood at the job site, further reducing waste. In addition to natural wood, flooring choices include low VOC (volatile organic compounds) carpets for better indoor air quality, laminates that successfully mimic scarce hardwood and low VOC paints. We make our own cabinets and always use low VOC materials which greatly reduce formaldehyde emissions.
Indoor Environmental Quality
One of the biggest advancements in indoor air quality is the paint we use. Here is a statement from our paint manufacturer: “At Dunn-Edwards, we've always believed in being green. Our mission to provide the best performing paint and related supplies includes preserving the environment, conserving energy and material resources and protecting human health and safety.”
Long gone are lead based paints, paint using biocides, mercury and ethylene glycol. The new environmentally friendly paints are low on volatile organic compounds (VOC) which may promote the formation of ground level ozone, a big component of smog.
There are optional HEPA furnace filters that are 99.97% efficient and zoning within your heating system. Other ways to reduce indoor air pollution are to not use formaldehyde laden glues and floor coverings.
Conserving Water
By now we all know about the low flow toilet (our toilets are 1.6 gallons per flush), but the flows are getting even lower… our optional design is for two flushes, the lesser flush saving even more water. Faucets that are low flow can be installed and we already install low flow shower heads. One big water waster is waiting for the hot water to get from the tank to the shower, kitchen, etc. The average household wastes 9000 gallons waiting for hot water. This can be cut to 900 gallons with a recirculate system. On our houses over 1500 square feet we install a recirculating hot water system but can improve even on that with optional tankless technology coupled with a special recirculate pump that turns on only when you need it. As before noted, a front loading washer uses 40% less water than a conventional model.
Durability is GREEN!
Green is also NOT having to replace parts of your house too often. We use durable paints over an exterior primed surface and we make sure that the house is leak-proof (to 40 mph winds) not only for mold resistance but because moist wood decays. Your ventilation system plays a big part in equalizing moisture, and we take steps to make sure the buildup/ basement is either dry or if that isn’t practical, to make sure there is plenty of cross ventilation. If wood is to be in contact with cement or dirt, it is treated wood which will not rot. All bathrooms without a window are vented mechanically.
Planning Ahead
Planning for the future is green because you don’t have to remodel later! Optional trappings to your new home are almost countless, but here are a few…
- There are ways to “soundproof” a teenager’s bedroom.
- Kitchens have had desks for years. Do you have enough room for TWO desks? That is the new thing. You can now keep your eye on the kids and computers.
- Water Temperature Control. If someone turns on a faucet or flushes the toilet, your shower temperature stays the same. Plan for when the kids move out. Set up an office by putting all the electronic outlets including outlets for future desks and computers in one of the rooms.
- Security and high tech gadgets and toys can be very green.. they are not only fun to use, make your living easier and save energy, but will impress your friends and family.