EARTH ADVANTAGE qualified green home features
In order to have our green built homes in Oregon and Washington certified as Earth Advantage®, we work with Earth Advantage specialists to ensure that the highest standards of energy efficiency, indoor air quality, resource efficiency and environmental responsibility are being met. As a green builder, our collaboration begins with a review of the home plans, continues through periodic consultation and construction visits, and ends with performance testing and certification. Learn more about green built homes in Oregon and Washington at www.earthadvantage.org.
ENERGY STAR qualified green home features
ENERGY STAR qualified green built homes can include a variety of energy-efficient features, such as effective insulation, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment, and ENERGY STAR qualified lighting and appliances. These features contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution. Learn more about ENERGY STAR qualified green home features at www.energystar.gov.
IMPORTANT GREEN HOME FEATURES
As a green home builder, Persimmon Development Group manages waste during new construction.
At every jobsite we recycle as much waste as possible. We separate out 100% of the wood waste and take the rest of the materials to a recylcing site in in Portland Oregon or Vancouver Washington for further recycling whenever possible.
Superior insulation is key to energy conservation.
If the insulation isn’t installed right in your home, it’s like wearing a jacket open and loose on a cold winter day. We install proper insulation − R-38 in the attic, R-21 in the walls and R- 30 under the floor − to help keep our homes comfortable and quiet. Insulation is installed without any gaps, compressions, and misalignments. By having this continuous boundary of insulation between the inside and outside, our homes maintain temperature more efficiently.
Healthy homes have sealing vapor barriers and quality exterior surfaces.
The sealing vapor barrier under the home prevents gases and moisture from rising into it. We also install the Rainscreen Wall System, which provides airspace under the whole house, including the masonry and siding and prevents moisture from entering your home which might cause a mold problem.
Energy efficient windows keep the summer heat and winter cold out.
Did you know that heat gain and loss through windows can account for up to 50% of a home's heating and cooling needs? Vinyl windows with a U value of under .35 let light in and reflect heat back out, making your home more comfortable and protecting interior finishes from fading. An advanced technology coating (low-e) is used to reflect unwanted sunlight away in the summer, while keeping heat inside in the winter.
Tight construction reduces heat loss.
Hundreds of holes and hundreds of cracks in a typical home can quickly add up to the equivalent of an open window in your house 365 days a year. We prevent this by caulking, foaming, and gasketing holes and gaps. Reduced air infiltration in walls and floors also helps prevent moisture and mold problems.
Heating, cooling and ventilation systems
- High-Efficiency Heating and Cooling Equipment
A highly efficient heating and cooling system in your home can save you from 10-40 percent on heating and cooling bills.
- Programmable Thermostat are a smart way to save energy
Imagine having the house heat up for you on a cold winter’s day just prior to your usual wake up time. Or not having to remember to turn down the heat before going to bed or leaving the house for the day. With a programmable thermostat, you can match your home temperature to your lifestyle so that the house heats or cools automatically when according to your regular schedule.
- Duct Sealing and Insulation
Ducts carry air from a home's central heater or air conditioner to each part of the home, but can waste a significant amount of energy when they are improperly installed or use inferior materials. Our ducts are sealed with an advanced sealant (WB Mastic) that significantly reduces leakage in the duct system, which directly impacts your utility bill.
Compact fluorescent lighting has improved dramatically over the years.
Standard light fixtures use a lot of energy (approximately 10% of a home’s electricity bill) and produce a lot of heat. Our homes include ENERGY STAR lighting, which is designed to consume 60% less energy, emit less heat, and provide better lighting levels.
The quality of light from compact fluorescent lighting has improved dramatically in the last few years. They are designed to last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs so that means you don’t have to change them nearly as frequently. There is also much more variety in the quality of light you get from these lights – with varying degrees of “warmer” light an option.
Lights that use halogen gas are 30 to 50 percent more efficient than common incandescent lights, making them another energy saving option. The initial cost for halogen lights is higher, but they often last two to three times longer than incandescent bulbs. They are especially good in situations requiring direct light.
Energy efficient appliances save resources.
Dishwashers, microwaves, washing machines and refrigerators that are ENERGY STAR compliant use less water and energy. When buying an appliance, remember that it has two price tags: what you pay to take it home and what you pay for the energy and water it uses. ENERGY STAR qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10-50% less energy and water than standard models.
Water heating is a major portion of your utility bill.
Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 13% of your utility bill. Use a water heater that is highly energy efficient, or a tankless water heater.
Healthy indoor air is a result of proper construction techniques used before you move in.
Indoor air levels of many pollutants may be two to five times, and occasionally more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. This is often because of pollutants released (off gassed) by the materials used in the construction. We reduce moisture and off gassing by using kiln-dried engineered lumber, fly ash in concrete, fiber-cement siding, more environmentally friendly paint and carpets, tile floors, kiln-dried lumber, sealed chipboard in cabinets, and MDF trim. By using these smart resources, we improve the indoor air.
During construction, we protect supply and return vents so that construction dust doesn’t circulate later in the house. Also, we make sure the indoor air is constantly kept fresh with intake directly into the return system. After construction, adequate air filters, such as MERV 6 air filters continue to keep smaller toxic particles from the air you breathe.
