Neighborhood Builders is a NHAB Certified GREEN Professional and all of our Homes are 5-Star Energy Certified and Built to NHAB Green standards.
Here is a few of the step taken to ensure efficiency in all of our homes:
- Interior and Exterior Drain Tile – To prevent moisture build up
- Low E Windows – Glass coatings are transparent that reflect up to 90% of long wave heat energy
- Low U Window factors – The U factor refers to the rate of heat loss through the window. Using a lower factor indicates a higher insulating value
- Roof Overhangs & Covered Entry – Roof overhangs and covered entries are used to help reflect heat from the sun and shed water
- Engineered Wood Products (EWP) – such as roof trusses, i-joists laminated and glue lam material
- OSB – Oriented Strand Board plywood is used in place of plywood
- Alternative Siding Products – Fiber cement siding, vinyl siding and masonry products are more sustainable in our geographic area and more energy efficient
- Composite Materials: Various parts of the home are replaced with composite materials such as decking or Fypon products in replace of wood.
- Blown Cellulose Insulation – Consisting of recycled news paper; an adhesive agent is added and sprayed in all walls providing an air tight home with a high R value
- Recycled Gypsum – 15% of construction waste is dry wall and is recycled into new gypsum board
- Lennox Gas Furnaces – Careful selection and sizing is used on all heating and cooling equipment to increase efficiency and lengthen equipment life. All gas furnaces are 92% energy efficient
- Honeywell Fresh Air Ventilation Systems – This system allows fresh air to be introduced into the home and increase your systems efficiency.
- Sealed Duct work – All aluminum ducts are caulked and sealed from leaking
- GEO EXCELL Geo Thermal Systems – Using the earth to transfer heat to and from the soil is a very energy efficient and comfortable way of living. Learn more at www.geoexcel.com/howitworks.htm
- Honeywell Programmable Temperature Thermostats – Programmable thermostats automatically allow different temperature settings during the day and week to save energy and provide comfort
- Tankless Hot Water Heaters – This option allows water to only be heated when needed to save energy and provide comfort
- Lighting & Lighting Controls – High efficiency florescent bulbs and dimmers are used to increase energy efficiency
- Appliances – High efficient Energy Star appliances are used to save up to 30% of typical energy costs
- Shaw Flooring Products – Shaw flooring products including carpeting, carpet pad, wood laminate, cork flooring and ceramic tile are made of recycled materials
- Recycling Construction and Demolition Waste – All construction waste is shipped directly to Des Moines local recycling plant.
Verifying energy performance of our homes:
To insure that all features and systems of our homes are built and function as intended Heartland Energy Solutions is used as a third party inspector to inspect insulation, duct work, heating and cooling systems and perform a blower door test to meet all 5Star Energy requirements and meet NHAB Green building standards. In addition the following steps are taken to verify the energy performance of our homes:
- Testing & commissioning of HVAC systems
- Insulation inspection
- Blower door testing for house tightness (building envelop and leakage)
- Home energy ratings
- Test all components of the home
- Adjust all systems to maximize efficiency
- Provide maintenance training and manuals for our homeowners
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