| Summerfield’s Energy Star and Earth Advantage certifications mean that the homes we build have a lower impact on the environment than traditionally built homes. Green building is a hot topic right now, but there are different levels of green building techniques. As an award winning green builder certified by two green building programs, Summerfield’s homes lead the industry with features that offer great advantages to the environment. These benefits include: |
Energy Efficiency
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Summerfield’s homes have many features that help conserve energy. These features allow the home to operate using at least 15 percent less energy than a home built with standard practices. Energy efficient features consist of: |
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· Tankless water heater system
· House tightening measures
· R-30 insulated floors
· Energy Star qualified lighting
· Energy Star qualified furnace
· Efficient ductwork design and seal
· Energy Star high efficiency vinyl windows
· Energy Star qualified dishwasher
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Low Environmental Impact
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Green building also ensures that efforts are made to preserve the environment. To achieve this, Summerfield uses methods that impact the surrounding land as little as possible. We also use recycled materials when possible and recycle remaining materials when a project has been completed. With the green building efforts we make, we are able to preserve the environment for future generations better than if we were to build our homes conventionally. Summerfield features comprise of: |
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· Vented rain screen
· 40+ year composition roof
· Kiln-dried framing lumber
· Storm water control systems
· Buffers along natural features
· Erosion control practices
· Fiber cement siding
· Solid wood flooring
· Stone countertops
· Composite engineered wood
· Limited turf
· Utilities in common trench |
Indoor Air Quality |
Green homes lack toxins that can be found in the air of homes that don’t meet green building standards. Such pollutants can be dangerous to breathe. Summerfield uses the following features to improve indoor air quality: |
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· Whole house ventilation
· Formaldehyde-free ventilation
· Low volatile organic compound paints
· Sealed gas fireplaces
· Central vacuum system rough-ins |
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