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Earthcraft House™
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September 21, 2006 Anthony Clatterbuck, President of the Home Builders
Association of Virginia made the announcement that the HBAV had joined
with the Virginia Sustainable Building Network and Southface Energy
Institute to bring the Earthcraft House™ program to the Commonwealth
of Virginia. Graystone Homes has made a commitment to becoming one of
the first certified Earthcraft in the Piedmont area.
The Earthcraft House™ is a voluntary green building
program that produces energy efficient homes built with the
environment in mind. Green building uses environmentally friendly
products to build with (such as engineered floor joists, OSB
sheathing) and energy efficient building practices.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does an EarthCraft House look different from other houses?
EarthCraft Homes are not necessarily new-age style or underground
bunkers. They can be built in any style or design. It isn’t the look
of the house that is different; it is the construction and materials
that when installed according to the standard, yield a home that is
far more energy and natural resource efficient.
What are the advantages of an EarthCraft house vs. a
traditional new home?
EarthCraft Houses are designed with several advantages in mind:
- Lower overall energy consumption (which equals lower operating
costs) with EPA’s Energy Star rating being the minimum.
- A combination of materials, on-site considerations and other
matters that when combined lower the impact to the environment
over a traditional house.
- The quality of materials and construction also lend themselves
to fewer environmental or health-related issues such as allergies
and the presence of mold and mildew.
Will an EarthCraft House cost more than a traditional new
home?
While an EarthCraft House will cost a bit more (perhaps 1-3%), the
annual savings in energy and maintenance costs will quickly off-set
this added up-front cost and over time, yield financial benefits to
the homeowner. In some instances, due to the construction quality,
materials and energy efficiency, some lenders will provide a “green
mortgage.” Under this concept the buyer can qualify for a larger
mortgaged based upon expectations for lower energy and operating
costs.
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Graystone Homes
● 1202 Orange Road ●
Culpeper, Virginia 22701 ● Phone:
540-825-1600 |
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