Our award winning green and energy efficient Central Oregon homes are accomplished by combining the latest in green building design, construction materials, and construction techniques. Each of our homes are unique, in terms of energy efficient features, due to the vast amount of green building options we are able to offer to our clients.

Certifications

Our energy efficient homes meet Energy Star and Earth Advantage certifications and contribute to the LEED point system.

Designing A Green Home

The first steps towards building a green home is to design it from the ground up. Our design process takes into account sunlight exposure, window placements, and elevation to maximize heating/cooling efficiency.

Building A Green Home

Our energy efficient homes are designed with a combination of different floor systems, wall systems, and heating/cooling systems.

Living In Your Green Home

Green Home Components

Below are products we offer in conjunction with our green design process.

Floor Systems

R-18+ Radiant Floor Insulation

EZ-Floor R-11.8 panel over R-7.5 Below grade blue board for a total of R-18.3 for comfort and thermal response. Higher insulation levels under the radiant floor means better energy performance and energy savings.

Traditional Wood orTJI-Floor Joist (crawl)

Floor joists are set inside a 24”-32” high ICF stem wall. No vent in the ICF and a conditioned air supply to the crawl area promotes an airtight envelope and less Btu’s needed for heating.

Hambro Concrete Floor System (crawl)

Recycled automotive steel (80-90%) top loading truss joist. will clear span up to 43’ with no additional support. Pouring a 4” thick slab allows the placement of radiant floor heating. Learn more about Hambro Concrete Floor System.

Logix ICF Concrete Floor System (crawl)

Pre-formed EPS foam panels supported by galvanized steel box channels. Will span up to 21’ with no additional support. Concrete beams are poured into the foam to promote an airtight insulated floor – perfect for radiant heating.

Premier Structural Floor Panels (up to 4’W x 24’L)

• 8” Panel (7-1/4'” EPS) = R-31 with a 12’ clear span
• 10” Panel (9-1/4'” EPS) = R-39 with a 16’ clear span
• 12” Panel (11-1/4'” EPS) = R-47 with a 18’ clear span

This system needs another layer of plywood laid opposite direction on top or a layer of hardwood flooring.

Wall Systems

Staggered 2x4 studs with 2x6 or 2x8 Plates

Less Thermal Bridging - save on labor for pulling electrical wire. Framers adapt quickly to this method. This insures your home has a tighter thermal wall envelope using traditional materials.

SIP’s –Structural Insulated Panels

Less thermal Bridging (no studs) Pre-cut panels install faster- save on labor, straight walls, Less jobsite waste. This ensures your home has a complete thermal wall & roof envelope.

Logix ICF WALL System

Pre-formed EPS foam panels supported by galvanized steel box channels. Will span up to 21’ with no additional support. Concrete beams are poured into the foam to promote an airtight insulated floor – perfect for radiant heating. Learn more about Logix ICF.

Roof Systems

Trusses w/ Radiant Barrier

Radiant barriers are materials that are installed in buildings to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss, and hence to reduce building heating and cooling energy usage.. Radiant barriers reduce the amount of energy radiated from the top surface of the insulation, but can also reduce beneficial heat gains due to solar heating of the roof.

Trusses w/ Sprayed Foam

Traditional wood trusses with closed cell foam sprayed directly to bottom of roof sheathing. This forms a conditioned attic space with no roof venting and insures minimum amount of exterior air

Premier Structural Roof Panels (up to 4’W x 24’L

• 8” Panel (7-1/4'” EPS) = R-31 with a 18’ clear span
• 10” Panel (9-1/4'” EPS) = R-39 with a 20’ clear span
• 12” Panel (11-1/4'” EPS) = R-47 with a 20’ clear span

This system typically has no attic space or roof ventilation. The interior roof surface is usually vaulted at the same pitch as the exterior roof providing an open room atmosphere.

Solar Air Heating

How it works: The Solar Sheet 1500G panel heats inside air. The amount of heat produced is based on the volume of air passing through the solar panels and the degree of sunshine. The SolarSheat is supplemental heating and does not work at night.

Solar Water Heating

The Apricus Solar Collector or Solar Water Heater is a device that absorbs thermal energy from the sun and converts it into usable heat. The heat is normally absorbed by water, or a freeze resistant water mix, which can then be used to supplement hot water heating, space heating and even space cooling via use of an absorption chiller or dessicant cooler technology.