Building green, living green, green house...
These are just a few terms that may beg the question "what's really behind all the green?" Building green entails many aspects of construction. One source defines it as:

Any structure designed in a way as to reduce the impact on the environment, protect the health of its occupants and utilize resources efficiently.

Our homes are designed, engineered and built for

• reduced utility bills,
• cleaner water and air,
• and a more comfortable, healthier living space.

Perhaps most importantly, our clients enjoy the peace of mind that comes with being good stewards to our planet. We even grind our scrap construction materials on site and reuse them as mulch. This minimizes our impact on landfills.

We proudly offer homes that are all independently tested and certified to meet or exceed the stringent requirements of the EarthCraft program. Additionally, each of our homes has met the US Department of Energy's highest standards for energy efficiency under their Energy Star program.

High Efficiency Heating and Air Conditioning

• Programmable thermostats- These allow you to balance comfort and energy usage to suit your lifestyle.

• 90 AFUE gas furnaces- This critical rating means that your furnace will convert at least 90% of the fuel it consumes into heat. Not only do these furnaces save energy, but they also run quieter, cooler and cleaner.

• 13 seer air conditioning units- These high-efficiency units reduce energy bills in the summer.

• Tightly sealed ductwork- Typically, ducts are so leaky that more than 35% of the conditioned air is lost before it arrives at the target room the duct is trying to reach.- EnergyStar To minimize this effect, all our ductwork joints and seams are sealed with mastic.

High Efficiency Gas Water Heater

• We use water heaters that reduce your gas bills and run cooler and safer.

Fresh Air Filtration System

• Filter- Our homes use Aprilaire dual air filters in all HVAC systems that help rid your home of dust, dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, pollen, bacteria and viruses, smoke and more. This provides your family with a healthier, more comfortable environment.

• Fresh air- The EPA has named indoor air pollution as one of the top 5 environmental risks to public health. Our HVAC systems bring in fresh, outside air to foster a cleaner, healthier indoor environment.

Exterior Vented Range Hood and Bathroom Fans

• This feature reduces excess moisture and kitchen odors from your home.

Energy Efficient Insulation

• Cellulose- We use an array of premium blown cellulose products in walls and ceilings that meet or exceed EarthCraft and Energy Star's rigid standards. You won't find this product in most other homes. Cellulose insulation we use is formaldehyde-free and fire-retardant for peace of mind.

• TechShield radiant barrier on roof- This product blocks up to 97% of the radiant heat in the panel from entering your attic, which keeps your home cooler. This means less work for your air conditioner and more energy savings for the homeowner.

• Weather seals- We install closed-cell foam and caulk beneath the exterior sill plates on each house to prevent moisture, air and insects from entering your home. All exterior penetrations are sealed with caulk. This improves indoor air quality, while making your home quieter and more energy efficient.

• Attic hatch insulation- A home's attic hatch presents a major weakness in the insulation barrier and could be responsible for heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer which ultimately results in high utility bills. We seal and insulate our attic hatches to mitigate this problem.

Basement Waterproofing

• We use the most advanced waterproofing product available to ensure your basement never smells like a basement, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Termite Control

• We use the Sentricon Colony Elimination System, which is the only termite control product ever to earn the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, one of the federal government's top environmental honors. It's also the first product registered by the EPA under the Reduced Risk Pesticide Initiative.

Radon Ventilation

• All our homes are equipped with a passive radon ventilation system that prevents this dangerous material from entering your home.

Energy Efficient Marvin Integrity Windows

• Low E II and Argon gas- In cold weather, it absorbs low-angle winter sun into the home for more heat. In hot weather, it filters high-angle light and reflects absorbed heat back outside for a cool interior. In every climate, it filters UV rays to reduce damage and fading to upholstery and carpets.
  

• Twice as efficient as the average window a decade ago, Low E II windows can cut energy costs by 34-38%.- Sustainable Energy Coalition

• While shop built wood windows need to be stripped and painted every 2-3 years to prevent rot, the factory-applied finish on Integrity's fiberglass window requires no painting. This saves you time and money, and reduces waste.

Water Filtration

• Because water is necessary for life and health, every house in Highland Village includes a whole house water filtration system. This activated carbon system removes chlorine, herbicides, pesticides and turbidity from every shower, spigot and faucet in the home.