• Bonus Room Construction
• Cellulose Insulation
• Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)
• Conservation Subdivision Design
• D.R. Nelson Sealant Package
• ENERGY STAR Appliances
• ENERGY STAR Partner
• Geothermal Heating and Cooling
• Green Built Certification
• Hydronic Heating
• Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs)
• Low-e Glass
• Low-flow Plumbing
• Low- or No-VOC Paints
• Polyurethane Insulation
• Programmable Thermostat
• Rain Water Harvesting
• Solar Panels
• Tankless Water Heaters
• Variable Speed Furnaces and Air Conditioners

Green BuiltTM Michigan certifies builders and their homes as being energy-efficient, safe, durable, and environmentally sustainable. The program incorporates environmental considerations into every phase of the homebuilding process. Homes certified as Green BuiltTM meet standards in these areas: Lot design, preparation and development Resource efficiency Energy efficiency Water efficiency Indoor environmental quality Operation, maintenance and homeowner education Global impact

sources: Green Built^TM Michigan, Rapid Growth (www.rapidgrowthmedia.com)

• Effective Insulation
• High-performance windows
• Tight construction
• Efficient heating and cooling systems
• Efficient appliances and lighting

View the report

source: ENERGY STAR (www.energystar.gov)

• Homes are placed for the best views of nature and wildlife
• Homes are placed for maximum privacy from neighbors
• Forests, fields and trails get children outdoors and offer homeowners the chance to enjoy nature, improve health and reduce stress
• Trees are preserved
• Developers' costs are reduced
• Lots may carry a premium and sell more quickly

source: (www.landchoices.org)

ICFs are hollow foam blocks that are stacked in the shape of the exterior walls of a building, reinforced with steel rebar and filled with concrete. The result is a wall system of unmatched comfort, energy efficiency, strength and noise reduction. Build Block ICF walls actually perform as high as R-50 in some areas of the country.

• Can reduce heating and cooling costs by at least 50 percent
• Reduces air infiltration (including airborne allergens) by 75 percent
• Creates a more uniform and stable temperature
• Substantially reduces noise
• Makes it ten times stronger than a wood-framed structure
• Makes it fire, earthquake, tornado and hurricane resistant (and may qualify for a lower insurance premium)
• Saves trees and energy
• Adds value to the home

sources: , Insulating Concrete Form Association (www.forms.org)

Made from recycled wood fiber—at least 75 percent newspaper—cellulose insulation is sprayed into walls, attics and floors, completely filling the spaces, for a seamless insulation system.

• Can reduce heating and cooling costs by as much as 40 percent
• Reduces air infiltration
• Reduces noise
• Creates a fire retardant
• If treated, controls pests
• Recycles a waste product and consumes less energy to manufacture (with virtually no emissions)
• Adds value to the home

sources: Applegate Insulation (www.applegateinsulation.com), Nu-Wool Inc. (www.nuwool.com),
             Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (www.cellulose.org)

Insulating with spray polyurethane foam: Eliminates drafts by completely filling seams, crevices and cracks Reduces energy use Provides high R-values Resists water, mildew and fungus Adds structural strength Provides stability—does not shrink or settle Reduces noise

sources:Monolithic Dome Institute (www.monolithic.com)
            Emega Biopolymers (www.soybasedfoam.com)

• Promoting energy efficiency
• Lowering heating and cooling costs
• Improving indoor air quality
• Improving homeowner comfort

sources: D.R. Nelson (www.drnelson.com)
             Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (www.eere.energy.gov)

Bonus rooms are designed, constructed, insulated and sealed with the same building practices as the rest of the home to ensure comfort and safe air quality.

source: HGTVpro.com

• Reduce energy loss by as much as 30-50 percent
• Reduce air leakage
• Reduce condensation
• Reduce fading of interior furnishings
• Make a home more comfortable
• Can save more than 30 percent on annual heating costs

sources: Efficient Windows Collaborative (www.efficientwindows.org)
             www.AsktheBuilder.com

Geothermal, or geoexchange, technology uses the earth's natural, renewable thermal energy to provide extremely efficient heating and cooling. In winter, the earth's heat is collected through a series of pipes, called a loop, buried in the ground and carried into the home. A heat pump inside the home concentrates the energy and transfers it to air circulated through standard ductwork. In the summer, the process is reversed: excess heat is drawn from the home, expelled to the loop and absorbed by the earth. The only external energy needed is a small amount of electricity to operate the ground loop pump and fan.

• Saves 30-70 percent in heating costs and 20-50 percent in cooling costs, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Has the lowest cost of operation of any heating/cooling system available
• Produces no gaseous emissions—is completely nonpolluting
• Is quiet, highly reliable and requires little maintenance
• Uses less space than a furnace and air conditioner—the compact heat pump typically is installed in a basement or attic
• Uses energy efficiently and produces fewer emissions
• Adds value to the home

sources: Geoexchange Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium (www.geoexchange.us)
             Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (www.eere.energy.gov)

Variable speed appliances run at low speed most of the time and high speed only when needed. The Dave Lennox Signature Collection G61V Variable Speed Gas Furnace: Can lower heating costs by hundreds of dollars each year Delivers consistent heat for more comfort Is quiet and reliable Is ENERGY STAR qualified—up to 94.6 percent efficient

• Can lower cooling costs by up to 60 percent
• Delivers more consistent cooling for comfort
• Runs about 13 times quieter than a standard air conditioner
• Is ENERGY STAR qualified—nearly twice as efficient as a standard air conditioner
• Uses chlorine-free refrigerant to save the environment
• Allows quick, easy access to interior for cleaning and maintenance

source: Lennox (www.lennox.com)

A programmable thermostat allows you to automatically regulate the temperature in your home, an easy way to save energy and money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save about 10 percent a year on your energy bills by turning down the thermostat 10-15 degrees for eight hours per day.

sources: HAI (www.homeauto.com)
             Energy Star (www.energystar.gov)
             U.S. Department of Energy (www.energy.gov)

Hydronic, or radiant floor, heating concentrates heat in the floor of the home. Special tubing is embedded in a concrete foundation or in a thin concrete mixture on top of a wood-framed floor. Heated water flows through this tubing, warming the thermal mass of the concrete, which radiates heat to the room.

• Is efficient
• Is comfortable—heat is at your feet and gently warms the room
• Can be easily zoned
• Is cleaner than ducted systems (which circulate dust, dirt and impurities back into the house)

sources: Backwoods Magazine (www.backwoodshome.com)
             Hydronic Heating Association (www.comfortableheat.net)

• 10-20 percent annual water heating savings
• Less wasted water waiting for warm water to reach a faucet
• No energy lost from warmed water sitting in a tank
• Longer equipment life (approximately 20 years)

sources: ToolBase Services (www.toolbase.org)
              California Contractor (www.californiacontractor.com)

• Reduce pollution
• Protect the nation's water supplies
• Reduce utility bills

source: ENERGY STAR (www.energystar.gov)

• Use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs
• Last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs
• Cost little up front
• Provide a quick return on investment

• Low-flow toilets use 1.6 gallons/flush compared to the standard toilet's 3.5 gallons/flush.
• Low-flow showerheads use about 2.5 gallons/minute compared to 4 to 5 gallons/minute for older models.
• Low-flow faucet aerators use 2.5 gallons/minute compared to 4 gallons/minute for older models.

source: ToolBase Services (www.toolbase.org)

• They are virtually odor free
• They keep the air cleaner (especially good for those with allergies or chemical sensitivities)
• They clean up with soap and water

Photovoltaic devices—solar cells—change sunlight directly into electricity. A Roof Integrated Tile photovoltaic system gives homeowners a way to add solar energy to their homes using panels that blend seamlessly with the roofline. Solar panels: Take advantage of the unlimited supply of free solar energy Produce no air or water pollution Can be installed quickly

sources: Energy Information Administration (www.eia.doe.gov)
             GE ecomagination (ge.ecomagination.com)

Collect and use the abundant supply of naturally pure and soft rainwater that falls on your roof every time it rains. The water can be used for irrigation, toilets, washers, pools and more. Rain is collected from a gutter system and stored in a large barrel buried underground. Harvesting rain water: Saves drinking water Reduces storm water runoff pollution

source: Stark Environmental (www.starkenvironmental.com)