Green Design Features
SUPER ENERGY EFFICIENCY
- Energy Star certification for buildings and appliances
- High efficiency on-demand gas water heaters assisting solar water heating panels
- Well-insulated and sealed building envelopes
to reduce energy consumption - Double glass windows, with low “E” coating
where appropriate - Efficient wood burning stoves
- High-efficiency central heating, ventilating,
and air conditioning systems
HEALTHY INTERIORS & EXTERIORS
- Healthy Built Homes designation by Western
North Carolina Green Building Council - Healthy interior environments with clean,
enlivened air and water- No VOC paints
- Formaldehyde-free wood flooring
- Formaldehyde-free cabinets
- Formaldehyde-free cellulose insulation in exterior walls
- Fresh air introduced to heating/cooling
systems - Whole-house water purification systems
- Triple, insulated sound walls between residences
- Access designed to minimize vehicular traffic
and provide for pedestrian safety - Shielded exterior and pathway lighting to
preserve view of the night sky
EARTH-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT & SYSTEMS
- Suitable trees harvested from site, milled, dried,
and fabricated into trim; others recycled into mulch - Top soil on site retained for landscaping
- Sustainably-harvested wood flooring
- Dual-flush toilets to preserve water
- Durable and sustainably-produced building materials, finishes, and landscape elements
- Native plant species used to minimize watering and reduce machine and labor inputs in maintenance
- Landscape designed to attract and support wildlife
- Community vegetable garden area
- Buyers provided educational information on
energy-efficient home operation, recycling,
and use of non-toxic cleaning products - Village environment protected by earth-friendly covenants and maintenance systems
OPTIONAL FEATURES
- Solar-assisted space heating
- Whole-house heat recovery system on fresh air return