Eco-friendly Green Building Features
Building an eco-friendly home is much more than just energy efficiency. Green building includes energy efficiency, resource efficiency, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, development & land use, and homeowner education.

The Dream House 2008 theme, “Doing What Comes Naturally,” defines the essence of this project: ProBuilt Homes has constructed the home with the latest “green-building” techniques and the design team has created an interior that is tranquil, calming, traditional in its welcoming comfort AND eco-friendly.

The Summerwood Community is a planned conservation subdivision which features serene, wooded homesites and a meandering 59 acre natural preserve area.

Our goal with every aspect of this house is to leave the smallest possible footprint on our environment.

Our designers have used eco-friendly products as well as repurposed items. Their natural palettes promote a feeling of ease and comfort.

“Doing What Comes Naturally” means creating a home environment that is good for everyone.

Energy Efficiency:

• 2x6 wall framing w/ R19 blown cellulose insulation

• Properly applied house wrap & window flashing

• Air sealing package to reduce air infiltration

• High-heel height roof trusses w/ R50 blown cellulose insulation in attic
  18 inch extended roof overhangs for increased attic ventilation and sun shading

• Solar-powered attic fan for increased attic ventilation

• Geothermal ground source heat pump heating and cooling system

• High-efficiency electric hot water heater tied into geothermal system to provide free hot water in the summer months

• EnergyStar rated Low-E argon gas window package

• EnergyStar rated bath fans

• Energy efficient lighting including LED lighting, EnergyStar fixtures and/or extensive use of compact fluorescent light bulbs

• EnergyStar rated appliances
  
  Resource Efficiency:

• Advanced framing techniques to conserve wood usage

• Engineered roof truss & I-joist floor systems conserve wood usage compared to conventional 2 x 10 or 2x12 rafters and floor joist

• Use of recycled content building materials such as cellulose insulation

• Use of lumber from sawmills that practice sustainable forestry

• Use of materials that have less of an environmental impact over their life cycle (manufacture, usable life and disposal) than typical materials, such as

• Hardi-plank cement board siding instead of vinyl siding
  
  Water Efficiency:

• Use of water-efficient faucets and shower heads

• Use of low-flow toilets

• Monoblock manifold style parallel supply line plumbing configuration

• Rain sensor on lawn irrigation system

• Use of eco-friendly Good Nature Organic Lawn Care services instead of harmful chemical fertilizers
  
  Indoor Environmental Quality:

• Low-VOC emitting OSB subfloors

• Low-VOC paints & wall paper

• Cellulose insulation does not emit formaldehyde (unlike many fiberglass insulations)

• Non-paper faced drywall inhibits mold growth

• HVAC system features HEPA filter and humidistat controlled humidifier

• Direct vent, sealed combustion gas fireplace reduces carbon monoxide risks

• Bath fans and kitchen range hood vented to outside
  
  Development & Land Use:

• Summerwood is a conservation subdivision. The homesites are concentrated in areas with the least environmental impact. Sensitive environmental areas like streams and woodlands are preserved.

• Summerwood features 55 acres of never to be developed nature preserve.
  
  Homeowner Education:
  Comprehensive homeowner manual including care and maintenance instructions, a list of Green Building features in the home, instructions on how the owner can purchase green electricity & recycle, and a photo record of the framing and mechanicals of the home.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE YMCA DREAM HOUSE SITE

SPECIAL OFFER FROM PROBUILT HOMES
Visitors of the 2008 Dream House will get $1,000.00 in options/upgrades when purchasing a new home from ProBuilt Homes. Contract must be signed by August 31, 2008. Contact ProBuilt Homes for details.

If you have questions regarding the Dream House or Green Builiding, contact ProBuilt Homes at (440) 255-6535 or email info@probuilt-homes.com.

ProBuilt Homes is part of the Northeast Ohio Green Building Initiative.