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Graystone's Green Building Practices

What makes Graystone "Green?"

What does the Energy Star rating mean?

What are the benefits of purchasing Energy Star Qualified New Homes?

What is the Earthcraft House program?

What makes Graystone "Green?"

Graystone Homes began building long-lasting, environmentally sustainable homes long before “green building” became popular. We have always cared about the land and the environment where we build because this is not only our place of business, it’s where we live. Our homes are proof that you don’t have to sacrifice beauty, comfort or function to be green.

Green building uses environmentally friendly products to build with (such as engineered floor joists, OSB sheathing) and energy efficient building practices. The materials we use are of the highest quality and not only meet the current energy rating requirements, but surpass them.

We have partnered with Energy Star to provide our homeowners with certification documenting the energy efficiency of their homes. We have also committed to producing a certified Earthcraft House in 2007.

Hear Anthony Clatterbuck's interview about green building on Contractor.com: Click here.

What does the Energy Star rating mean?

Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC).

ENERGY STAR qualified homes can include a variety of energy-efficient features, such as effective insulation, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment, and ENERGY STAR qualified lighting and appliances. These features contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution. ENERGY STAR also encourages the use of energy-efficient lighting and appliances, as well as features designed to improve indoor air quality.

What are the benefits of purchasing Energy Star Qualified New Homes?

PEACE OF MIND
Home buying is complex enough without having to know all the details of energy-efficient construction. Instead, look for the government-backed ENERGY STAR label to easily identify homes that are truly energy efficient. Find the house of your dreams and enjoy peace of mind knowing that it also meets strict energy efficiency guidelines.

LOWER OWNERSHIP COST
Compared with standard homes, ENERGY STAR qualified homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating-delivering $200 to $400 in annual savings. Over the average 7 to 8 years you may live in your home, this adds up to thousands of dollars saved on utility bills. Additional savings on maintenance can also be substantial.

BETTER PERFORMANCE
Properly installed energy-efficient improvements deliver better protection against cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pollution, and noise. An energy-efficient home helps ensure consistent temperatures between and across rooms, improved indoor air quality, and greater durability.

SMART INVESTMENT
To date, over 2,500 home builders have partnered with EPA to construct more than 500,000 ENERGY STAR qualified homes. By the end of the decade, more than 2 million homes are expected to earn the ENERGY STAR. The trend is clear. By choosing a home with the ENERGY STAR label, you can be confident that it will have an increasingly valued feature when the time comes to sell.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Did you know that your home can be a greater source of pollution than your car? In fact, 16 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy used in houses nationwide.

Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming. Simply put, the less energy we use in our homes, the less air pollution we generate.

Graystone Homes 1202 Orange Road Culpeper, Virginia 22701 Phone: 540-825-1600