FEATURED BUILDER
OF BUILT GREEN HOMES
IN COLORADO
www.campbellhomes.com
4850 Austin Bluffs Pkwy.
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Toll Free: 888-966-9790
Local: 719.266.9780
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Built Green Homes FAQ
What about . . .
Recycled plastic or composite "lumber"?
A number of recycled-content and composite material deck products are currently on the market. An attractive alternative to chemically treated wood and valuable naturally-durable woods like redwood and cedar, recycled-content and composite material decks are very low-maintenance and highly durable. These products are made either entirely or partially from recycled plastic, which helps close the recycling loop by finding useful end products for recycled materials.
Fiber-cement siding and other exterior finish alternatives?
Fiber-cement siding is highly durable; it doesn't split, holds paint longer and is more moisture-resistant than typical hardwood siding. Other green building siding options include recycled-content hardboard, natural or synthetic stucco and locally produced brick and natural or faux stone. Long lasting, low maintenance exterior finish products reduce replacement frequency, which means cost savings, reduced landfill impact, and fewer resources and time devoted to maintenance and replacement.
 High-performance windows?
Perhaps more than any other building component windows have seen a significant increase in performance resulting from new technologies, including "low-e" glass coatings, and gas-filled windows. While high performance windows may cost slightly more, when the rest of the home's heating system is adjusted accordingly these costs can be offset and the on-going energy savings and comfort gains will pay back that extra cost quickly.
 Insulation?
You can choose between several types of insulation, and all of them can have recycled content. Blown-in products or the installation of batts by certified installers typically provide a better insulated home, because there is less opportunity for air leakage. Typical insulation levels are R-15 in the walls, R-38 in the attic, and R-11 on basement walls. Appropriate insulation levels in walls, attics and on basement or foundation walls make the home more resistant to energy loss, lowering energy bills, improving comfort, reducing pollution related to energy production and saving precious resources.
Energy ratings?
An energy rating from a qualified Home Energy Rating Provider gives you information on the cost and associated savings of energy improvements in your home. And Energy Rater also helps builders decide the best energy package for their homes while giving them an additional tool to highlight their energy features. With an energy rating of 80 points or more, the home is qualified for a energy efficient mortgage, which can make the energy features even more affordable.
 Air infiltration?
Techniques like blown fiberglass insulation, advanced air sealing and sill plate sealing are effective methods for tightening a home to reduce unwanted air infiltration and loss of conditioned air. Sealing the home with an advanced sealing technique (new construction) can make a big difference in winter heating bills and overall comfort, as well as reduce the infiltration of dust and other outside pollutants, such as pollen.
 Leaky ducts?
Your duct system has numerous opportunities to be leaky. Studies have shown that an unsealed duct system leaks from 20-40% of the heated air that's supposed to be getting to the rooms of your house. This is bad for your comfort and energy bill, but it could be worse for your health and safety; a leaky duct system can create pressure differences in your heating system that can draw in contaminants like dust, soil gasses or flue gasses. A well-designed, well-sealed duct system should be a fundamental part of your otherwise energy-efficient home. The duct system should be entirely hard-ducted and sealed at all joints and penetrations with brush-on, low-/non- toxic mastic, not duct tape.
 VOCs and indoor air quality?
VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds and can be released by human or natural sources. They can react with the atmosphere to form ground-level ozone, and to a lesser degree, acid rain. Some VOCs, like the fumes from numerous interior products (glues, paints, cabinets, carpets and pads, furniture, etc.) are toxic, and could possibly cause a range of health problems from occasional headaches to allergic reactions, depending on the concentration and the sensitivity of the individual. "Least toxic" products are those that contain levels of VOCs below what the EPA or other credible sources have determined to be safe levels. In some cases, a "least toxic" product may be preferable to a "non-toxic" product for performance reasons. Additional indoor air quality protection can include controlled mechanical ventilation to bring in fresh air without wasting heat.
Energy efficient appliances?
The refrigerator is always on. The washing machine and dishwasher consume water as well as the energy to heat that water and to run the appliance. Huge strides have been made in recent years to improve the efficiency of all home appliances. Look for appliances qualified under the Department of Energy's ENERGY STAR® program for the highest performing models.
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