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What is a Certified Professional Builder?
The designation of Certified Professional Builder (CPB) recognizes a high degree of competence. Achieving it requires 24 hours of National Association of Home Builders-approved training, combined with continuing education every two years. CPBs carry $1 million in general liability and workers compensation insurance, have taken the required continuing education classes, agree to mediation if there is a dispute, comply with building codes and carries a warranty no less than a year, among other requirements.
What is an Energy Star™-Certified Builder?
To earn the Energy Star™ seal, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the Environmental Protection Agency, making it 20-30 percent more efficient than standard homes. Homes achieve this level of performance through a combination of energy-efficient improvements, including: effective insulation systems; high-performance windows; tight construction and ducts; efficient heating and cooling equipment; and installation of Energy Star (trademark)-qualified lighting and appliances. For more information, click here.
What is geothermal heating and cooling?
A geothermal heating system uses the Earth’s warmth to heat your home, and cools it by drawing heat from inside your home and transferring it to the ground outside. For more information, click here.
What are the benefits of green building?
Energy efficiency means lower energy costs in the long term. But there are a multitude of health benefits associated with green building. Potential sources of pollutants can be significantly minimized with tightly sealed doors between the living area and garage, vents or fans for space- and water -heating equipment, low-emitting plywood and panel products, low VOC paints, glues and caulks, and “green label” carpets, pad and floor covering adhesives.
Why is green building so important?
America’s energy consumption is enormous and we all must take action to reduce it. Over the next 20 years, natural gas consumption is expected to increase by 50 percent and the demand for electricity will increase by 45 percent. To meet those demands, the United States will need 1,500 new power plants. Just a modest increase in energy efficiency would eliminate the need for 600 of them.
What makes a newly constructed home green?
Green building takes many forms. When selecting and developing a lot for construction, for example, we can revitalize outdated or underutilized real estate and use infrastructure that is already in place. Storm water can be managed through natural water-cleaning ponds, which create open spaces and greenbelts.
Other opportunities to reduce energy consumption with proper construction include using such recycled materials as bricks, drywall, lumber, insulation, concrete and carpet, and recycling waste materials. The home’s energy efficiency is also impacted by properly installed insulation and the use of energy-efficient windows, appropriate use of caulk, foam and seals, and installing Energy Star (trademark)-rated fixtures and appliances.
What are some questions a homebuyer should ask when looking for a builder?
Talk to past customers to find out:
- How many times did the builder come out and fix problems, and did any of those involve plumbing?
- Did they complete the home in the time they said they would?
- Was the homebuilder easy to contact?
- Was the homebuilder still helpful after the year warranty expired?
- Was the cost of your home close to what the homebuilder said it would be?
- Are you going to use this builder again if you decide to build a custom home in 10 years?
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