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 Green building means improving the way that homes and homebuilding sites use energy, water, and materials to reduce impacts on human health and the environment. - Energy Star What is Green Building Exactly? How We Apply Green Building Tight Construction & Ducts Advanced techniques for sealing holes and cracks in the home’s envelope and in heating and cooling ducts help reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pest, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while lowering utility and maintenance costs.  Effective Insulation Properly
installed insulation
ensures even temperatures throughout the
house, while using less energy. The result is lower utility
cost
and a quieter more comfortable home. For thermal
insulation
we use Icynene
blown in place foam.
Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment An energy-efficient, properly designed and installed system, uses less energy to operate, which reduces your utility bills as well as your carbon footprint. An efficient system will be quieter, control indoor humidity, filter and provide fresh air making for a more comfortable home. High Performance Windows Energy efficient windows employ advanced technologies to keep the heat in during the winter and out during the summer. Efficient Products We try to equip the homes we build with Energy Star rated products wherever we can. These include heating, cooling, ventilation systems, lighting, and kitchen appliances. Why We Care For a home to be green it must use resources wisely, both during construction and for the life of the structure. To make a home green the work and attention to detail start long before construction begins and requires meticulous attention to details during construction. While there are very few simple steps to making a home green we relish the opportunity to explore that journey with you. Being environmentalist all our lives, Holly and Chase have always been involved in outdoor recreation and environmental education. After graduating from Appalachian State Holly and Chase worked as field instructors for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). NOLS is a pioneer and leader in minimum impact techniques. They volunteer with and have served on the boards of local non-profits working for the preservation and conservation of land both public and private. (Click "links" to learn more about these organizations.) Caring about the natural world is in their blood. Chase’s Great grandfather, Chase Peter Ambler played an important role in the early conservation efforts of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. His work contributed to the establishment of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and the Weeks Law establishing our system of National Forest. As green has become the buzz word over the past couple of years, most every builder is trying to figure out how to position themselves to be a part of this trend. While none of us know everything, or even enough, Headwaters is committed to doing our best with each opportunity. We are delighted to find ourselves surrounded by so many people who are concerned about the planet and how their choices impact it. Curious
to learn more?
Check out some of these educational websites designed to help make sense of green building. GreenBuilding.com This
is a great introductory
website for home owners and home builders alike.
U.S. Green Building Council A non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable building design and construction. Developers of the LEED building rating system. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Well organized website developed by the EPA focusing on commercial green building as well as domestic. Energy Star ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. |
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