Certified as Green

The new home has been certified as Green by the Florida Green Building Coalition. www.floridagreenbuilding.org These standards encompass energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, indoor air quality, water conservation, durability, and therefore, sustainability.

The home also was certified by Energy Star www.energystar.gov for the project's focus on energy efficiency.

Habitat for Humanity www.habitat.org salvaged materials from the old home (toilets, hardware, appliances, condensing unit, sinks, etc.), and excess materials from the project, namely plywood and 2x4's which were used as flooring in the catering tents, were also given to Habitat for their future projects.

Here are some of the Green features of this home...

All of the space is the house is being used - there is no wasted space or excessive space
In changing from one bathroom to four, the number of people occupying the home did not change, and nor did their need for use of the bathroom(s) and clean clothes. One antiquated water heater was replaced with two tankless gas water heaters, reducing the energy load.
Low VOC paints were used, increasing air quality both during the construction process and in the future. www.sherwin-williams.com/pro/green/index.jsp
Efficient air conditioner with enhanced filtration
The right landscape plantings and mulch were selected, reducing the need for need for chemicals and excess irrigation.
All shower heads and bath faucets are low or ultra low flow, reducing water usage.
All toilets are dual flush, reducing water usage.
The need for washing clothes has neither increased nor decreased. But the washer is ultra low water usage and the dryer has a moisture sensor. Same amount of clothes being washed, less water and energy used.
Point being, there will be no more baths/showers/flushes/washes now that there are more bathrooms, but there should be less water used because the fixtures and appliances are so much more efficient.
The Huber Zip System for the exterior sheathing www.huber.com eliminated many normal areas of air leakage in the walls and the roof.
The wall panels were constructed off-site, thus reducing waste.
The Hardieboard siding and trim boards came pre-painted and pre-primed www.jameshardie.com
The windows were caulked at installation, then taped, reducing leakage.
The windows are low-e, vinyl, argon filled, with an average U-value of .31, and SHGC of .26 www.norandex.com
The roof overhangs averaged 2 feet, further shading the windows and reducing heat gain. The extensions over several of the windows further reduces heat gain. Bahama-style exterior shutters were installed at several windows as well. All of the windows include interior blinds and we are also researching another exterior screening system that will further reduce heat gain
Icynene insulation www.icynene.com was installed under the roof
The galvalume roof reflects heat, and has a very long life span.
Hard surface floors, bamboo and tile, throughout most of the home, are easy to keep clean and durable, with a long life span.
Energy star appliances were used as were programmable thermostats.