A considerable rise in energy costs has prompted consumers to become more educated about ways to conserve. At Dillard-Jones Builders, our clients are more aware of the benefits of products such as ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances, Low-E windows and foam insulation.
“We’ve never had many green features in any of the homes we’ve owned, but we felt that having a green home was important for the future,” said Curt FitzGerald, whose Dillard-Jones custom home is under construction at Gary Player Estates at The Cliffs at Mountain Park. “The EarthCraft House™ certification which includes things like positioning the house to take advantage of sun direction to minimize cooling loads made a lot of sense to us.”
At Dillard-Jones Builders, we define a green home as a high performance home that is designed and built to promote healthy living, protect the environment, and lower energy costs. We have long incorporated “smart” green building products such as Low-E windows, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, engineered structure systems, and recycled sub-flooring into all new construction. Today, those products are combined with low-impact site development and preparation practices that protect mature trees and help preserve the natural aesthetics of the landscape.
Our experience includes building to Energy Star®, Earthcraft House™ and LEED for Homes standards. The FitzGeralds’ home in Gary Player Estates has been designed and built to achieve Energy Star® and EarthCraft House™ certification while the 2010 Southern Living Showcase Home in Greenville was built to standards of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes program.
Green products and practices are incorporated into Dillard-Jones custom homes based on client requests. Some of the benefits of green products and practices are:
Healthier living
Green building practices encourage well-sealed duct systems, sealed combustion gas appliances, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, and balanced pressure ventilation systems. With tighter construction of the exterior envelope, adequate ventilation is especially important in green building because it reduces the potential for mold growth and buildup of allergens and other particulates. Additionally, air quality can be greatly improved through the use of low VOC chemicals and formaldehyde free products.
Comfortable living
Proper orientation of a home can take advantage of the sun’s radiant energy to provide free natural heat in the cooler months, while avoiding too much sun in the warmer ones. Better insulation and energy efficient windows, appliances, and lighting contribute to a comfortable environment while using less energy.
Financial savings
Green building practices and products make homes more energy efficient through proper insulation and air sealing, and lower water heating costs.
Less maintenance, higher durability
Green building dictates the use of premium materials that are more durable and construction practices that exceed building code requirements. Together, these qualities enhance a home’s performance, beauty, and reduce maintenance costs. Examples of long-lasting materials and their applications include: decking (recycled materials, natural stone, or renewable wood species), durable natural tile floors, natural roofing materials, fiber-cement siding, and low VOC paints.
For more information, contact Dillard-Jones Builders at (864) 527-0463 or visit www.dillardjones.com.
