Capital Home Builders ENERGY STAR® homes are better built, more comfortable homes that save you money on your utility bills every month. Every CHB ENERGY STAR qualified home has been built to meet energy efficient guidelines set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. Simply stated, ENERGY STAR homes are built better for you and the environment.
First Energy Star built homes, Build It Right! -  Save over 30% on utility bills with one of our homes
ENERGY STAR - Buyers!
  NAHB's Green Guidelines
If builders are not listed on the Energy Star, NAHB's, LEED or Earth Craft website as energy partners they are not following the energy efficient protocols. If the builder's homes do not have the energy star seal or third party certification on their new homes electrical panel they have not been rated as energy efficient homes. This claim can only be made by builders following the Energy Star, NAHB's, LEED or Earth Craft protocols and earning the designated Seals.  Capital Home Builders still remains the True first Energy Star builder that has earned the Energy Star Blue Seal in the South Georgia Area."  So buyers beware, look for the third-party verification certificate and logon to the corresponding organizations to make sure your builder is a partner.
Fiber Glass Insulation VS Cellulose (Cellulose still used by 99% of Thomasville, South Georgia and other Builders)

 FIBER GLASS INSULATION vs. CELLULOSE INSULATION: Facts you should know before you insulate CLAIM: An assertion of something as a fact; a positive statement or declaration.  Thomas Jefferson used an early form of cellulose insulation in Monticello. Modern cellulose insulation dates from the 1920s, and it came into general use during the post World War II building boom. Cellulose insulation was used extensively in electrically-heated homes during the 1950s. It was the only thing at that time that was affordable and still being used today by  99% of Thomasville, South Georgia and other builders for its low cost.  

AFTER A FEW YEARS
The Spray Foam Insulation System
Spray Foam air barrier system is becoming the industry standard for providing maximum building envelope performance. Foam pour and spray formulations represent a breakthrough in the science of moisture and thermal management.

Spray Foam is the leading insulation that minimizes air leakage for increased energy efficiency, creates a healthier indoor environment, reduces airborne sounds and offers greater design freedom. Foam maintains its performance with no loss of R-value over time. It does not shrink, sag or settle. Foam adheres to most construction materials and is the perfect insulation for walls, attics, ceilings and floors.
 
Spray Formula
Applied as a liquid, expands to 100 times its volume in seconds to fill every crack and crevice while remaining flexible so that the integrity of the building envelope seal remains intact over time. Foam spray formula has an R-value of 3.6 per inch. It acts as a complete insulation and air barrier to minimize air leakage and seal the building envelope for optimal air tightness.

Pour Fill Formula
Foam pour fill variation is an insulation and air barrier that injects the latest building technology into an older building to maximize energy efficiency while still preserving its original architectural details. Foam fills the wall cavity completely, starting at the bottom and slowly expanding upwards to 60 times its initial volume. Since Foam expands in the direction of least resistance, it will not expand outward and damage the wall. The pour fill formula has an

R-value of 4 per inch.

Learn more about The Foam Insulation System
       
Healthier
 Quieter Glossary & Acronyms Building Science
Green Properties Frequently Asked Questions ICYNENE LD-R-50™ More Energy Efficient
    ICYNENE LD-R-50™ Video  

What is an ENERGY STAR Home?
ENERGY STAR Home Features Overview
 
ENERGY STAR® homes are better built, more comfortable homes that save you money on your utility bills every month.  Every Capital Home Builders ENERGY STAR certified home has been built to meet energy efficient guidelines set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. From energy efficient windows to advanced heating and cooling systems, ENERGY STAR homes guarantee greater savings, comfort and peace-of-mind. Simply stated, ENERGY STAR homes are built better for you and the environment.

Better for your pocketbook..
 ENERGY STAR homes are at least 15% more efficient than code-built new homes, making them some of the most energy efficient homes on the market today. By using less energy, ENERGY STAR homes cost less to operate, which means more money in your wallet month after month. Combined with potential higher resale values, ENERGY STAR homes represent a smart investment.

Better heating and cooling.
 Enjoy a home with even temperatures throughout the year. Tightly-sealed ductwork, high-performance windows and properly installed insulation make your home more comfortable.

Better for the environment.
 The energy used by American homes accounts for 20% of total U.S. carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. ENERGY STAR certified homes perform better than standard code-built homes and require less energy for heating, cooling and hot water. This amounts to reduced air pollution and a healthier environment for everyone.

Better for you.
 ENERGY STAR Homes have Healthier indoor air, as performance-tested ductwork keeps the air inside your home clean by reducing the possibility of drawing unwanted air from your home’s attic, basement, crawl spaces and garage.

Your builder is building for you if they are building ENERGY STAR Certified Homes.

To learn more about what makes a home an ENERGY STAR Home, visit our ENERGY STAR Home Features Overview section.

ENERGY STAR Home Features Overview
What is an ENERGY STAR Home?

Builders who choose to build ENERGY STAR® homes use the “house as a system” approach. The interaction of all systems in the home is considered during planning and construction, including heating and cooling, windows, doors, insulation, appliances and lighting, resulting in a high quality home that will save energy and money.

The following technical information explains the key components that make a home an ENERGY STAR Home.

Sealed Duct System
Did you know up to 30% of energy loss in the average code-built new home is attributed to leaky duct systems? Poorly installed ductwork increases a home's energy use, causes discomfort and may compromise indoor air quality. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are planned and built using sealed duct systems, and then tested to assure optimal performance.

With Capital Home Builders ENERGY STAR Homes, duct sealing during the construction process will ensure that the air you pay to be heated or cooled is delivered to the living areas of your home. Performance testing of the duct system provides proof that the system works as designed.

Duct sealing and performance testing are required in every home to meet the Northwest ENERGY STAR Home certification requirements to receive the ENERGY STAR label.

High Performance Heating & Cooling Systems
High performance heating and cooling systems can reduce your heating and cooling energy costs by up to 30%. Choosing ENERGY STAR qualified equipment is just the first step. To achieve the full value and efficiency of the heating and cooling system, all components must be properly installed and tested. The distribution of heated and cooled air through the duct system must be addressed, as well as the equipment.

Correct design and sizing of heating and cooling systems is important for achieving maximum comfort and energy savings. An oversized system results in poor equipment performance with frequent stops and starts.
In every ENERGY STAR qualified home, the components of the heating and cooling system are tested by certified technicians for assured performance. This includes performance testing of duct systems and heat pumps.

Efficient Appliances & Lighting
ENERGY STAR qualified products deliver performance and the newest technology, resulting in significant energy savings. Qualified appliances and lighting reduce energy bills without sacrificing features, style or comfort. New homes that have earned the ENERGY STAR label feature qualified dishwashers, clothes washers, and ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) and fixtures in at least half the sockets.

Appliances
Every ENERGY STAR home will include an ENERGY STAR qualified dishwasher, reducing your water heating costs by up to 20%. Additionally, every ENERGY STAR home will also include an ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer, saving you up to 25 gallons of water per load and using 50% less energy than standard washers. For even more savings, upgrade to other ENERGY STAR qualified appliances.

Lighting
More than 20% of the electricity generated in the U.S. is used for lighting. Approximately half of this energy is wasted by lighting empty rooms or as heat produced by inefficient lamps. But it's easy to save money and energy with ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs and fixtures. They meet strict energy efficiency and quality specifications, using up to 75% less energy and lasting up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs

Make your home even more energy efficient by looking for the ENERGY STAR label when shopping for home electronics, office equipment, and heating and cooling products such as programmable thermostats.

Better Insulation, Windows & Doors
The thermal shell of a house, also referred to as the building envelope, is the barrier created with windows, doors, insulated walls, ceilings, and floors. The thermal shell separates our living spaces from the cold of winter and the heat of summer, enclosing the "conditioned space" where we spend our time.

Insulation
Capital Home Builders ENERGY STAR Homes use high efficiency insulation to maximize your comfort and save on energy costs.

A variety of insulation products are available, including fiberglass batts, blown or damp-spray cellulose, and insulation that is integrated with the wall structure such as Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) and Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) Regardless of insulation type, increased efficiency levels of insulation, when properly installed, will save money and provide a more comfortable living space. Along with more comfortable temperatures, insulation provides a quieter space for improved quality of life.

Windows and Doors
ENERGY STAR qualified windows and high-performance doors meet the standard that discriminating homebuyers expect. Some of the benefits of high-performance windows and doors include:

  • Increased comfort
  • Reduced condensation
  • Lower utility costs

Look for the ENERGY STAR label to identify the most efficient windows, skylights and doors. Also, try to buy products with the lowest "Res" U-factor.
Energy Star

Visit the Energy Star Website

WHAT IS AN ENERGY STAR HOME:
In 1992 the Environmental Protection Agency established the Energy Star program to label energy efficient products and reduce energy usage and carbon dioxide emissions across America. Today, the Energy Star program encompasses 40 product categories and is widely recognized as the mark of energy efficiency for electronics, appliances, and even homes.
The Energy Star for Homes program aims to reduce the energy consumption of one of America’s largest energy uses. According to the EPA, homes account for 15% of energy consumption nationwide. New homes that demonstrate a certain level energy saving improvements earn the Energy Star label.
 
Energy Star homes save homeowners money in utility bills. In addition, Energy Star homes:
  • Have higher appraised value
  • Qualify for Energy Efficient Mortgages and Tax Credits
  • Are more durable and comfortable
 
Using structural insulated panels (SIPs) in residential building can easily qualify a home as Energy Star. A SIP building envelope has an extremely high whole wall R-Value and low levels of air infiltration, reducing the overall loads for heating or air conditioning equipment in the home.
 
WHAT MAKES A HOME ENERGY STAR:
For a home to earn Energy Star certification it must be tested for energy efficiency using a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) index. A HERS index is an objective and standardized measurement of how much energy a home uses.
 
HERS raters calculate the HERS index through an onsite home inspection and using computerized energy modeling software. The HERS rater will perform a visual inspection and then a few tests on the home. A blower door test is used to determine the airtightness of a home by using a computer controlled fan to depressurize the home and measure the amount of air leaking out. A duct blaster test is also performed to measure the amount of leakage in forced air ducts through a similar process. Homes built with a complete structural insulated panel building envelope are so airtight that neither of these air leakage tests are required to achieve an Energy Star rating.
 
The HERS rater will use the data from these tests and his onsite inspection to help him calculate the HERS index through energy modeling software. The software will take into account the kind of appliances, heating and cooling equipment, levels and quality of insulation, and other factors, to calculate the projected energy use of the home. The house is scored in reference to a theoretical house designed by the software to the specifications of the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
 
A home built to 2004 IECC standards has a HERS index of 100. The other end of the spectrum is a Zero Energy Building (ZEB) with an index of 0. ZEBs use net zero energy by producing as much energy as they consume.
 
A HERS index is accompanied by a HERS report. The report includes the projected energy costs for the home. Every 1 point decrease in HERS index equates to a 1% reduction in annual energy costs compared to the IECC reference home.
 
For a home to be rated Energy Star in the central northern portion of the United States, it must have a HERS index of 80. Homes in the south and costal areas must have a HERS index of 85. For a map of HERS requirements by climate zones, visit www.energystar.gov/homes.
 
In addition to achieving the required HERS index, Energy Star homes must pass a sixteen point Thermal Bypass Checklist. The checklist insures that the home receives the full R-Value of the insulation used in the home by inspecting for gaps, voids, and potential areas of insulation compression. The primary item on the checklist is that a whole house air barrier be installed such that it will, “provide continuous alignment of the insulation with the air barrier,” something that is almost automatic with structural insulated panels.
 
To learn more about the HERS index or to find a HERS rater in your area, visit www.natresnet.org
 
SIPS AND ENERGY STAR:
Building with structural insulated panels (SIPs) can cut home energy consumption by up to 50%, making it easy to reach Energy Star qualifications with SIP homes.
 
SIPs provide high density foam insulation consistently and flawlessly, without the voids, gaps, and compression of insulation in stud walls. Studies done by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) show that when whole wall R-Value is measured, SIPs far outperform wood framed walls. By eliminating the loss of heating and cooling energy through gaps in the insulation, SIPs dramatically reduce the amount of energy used to heat and cool a home.
 
In addition to providing a high level of insulation, SIP homes are significantly more airtight than conventionally wood frame construction. The foam core of a SIP panel functions as a complete air barrier, and working with large panels means there are fewer joints to seal. ORNL evaluations of a SIP test room revealed the SIP room to be 14 times more airtight than an equivalent room with 2x6 construction, sheathing, insulation and drywall. For this reason, the EPA does not require a blower door test for homes built with SIP walls and a SIP roof.
 
Air tightness is extremely important when reducing a home’s energy usage. As much as 40 % of a home’s heating and cooling loss is due to air leakage.
 
Passing the required Thermal Bypass Checklist is practically automatic when building with SIPs. Properly installed SIPs provide the whole house air barrier that the checklist requires, and if a SIP roof is used as well, many potential problem areas of air leakage are already inside the conditioned space.
 
SIPs can also help Energy Star builders save money. EPA National Director for Energy Star for Homes Sam Rashkin estimates the additional costs of materials necessary for a stick built home to meet the new Energy Star standards between $600 and $1,200, for materials only. Properly installed SIPs do not require additional envelope improvements to meet Energy Star insulation requirements. Builders using a SIP roof will not need to perform a blower door test or a duct blaster test, meaning that the overall rating cost can be reduced.
 
 
 
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