 ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLYDespite all of the countless benefits development can have for our society, it is well known that the buildings we construct have a profound impact on our environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, buildings in the United States account for: 39% of total energy use (54.6% of total from residential bldgs.)
68% of total electricity consumption (51.2% of total from residential bldgs.)
12% of the total water consumption (74.4% of total from residential bldgs.)
38% of the total carbon dioxide emissions (54% of total from residential bldgs.)
60% of total non-industrial waste generation (43% of total from residential bldgs.)
It is our goal to help minimize these detrimental effects of development and construction. We believe that Copeland Builders has a social responsibility to the built environment-to plan, design, and build in the most intelligent and eco-conscious manner that is both financially and logistically possible. This is known as the ‘green’ building movement.
Our green homes are custom-crafted to help maximize their overall performance and minimize their negative impact on the environment. Below is a list of green strategies that are employed in our Copeland Builders homes:
Increase energy-efficiency
Provide superior indoor environmental quality
Increase water-efficiency
Develop sites sustainably
Specify environmentally preferred products
Recycle construction waste
Increase homeowner awareness
ENERGY SAVINGSWithout compromising the architectural aesthetic, Copeland Builders employs a plethora of best practice details in the design and construction of your home to help maximize energy savings throughout the year. Since almost every design decision can impact the next, we are always mindful of the whole picture-that is, we take into account every aspect of the home design from foundation and framing to the HVAC design. Through this whole-house integrated design philosophy, Copeland Builders is able to provide its homeowners with a Copeland-designed, custom-crafted home that performs exceptionally through all of the four seasons.
Below is a partial list of integrated, energy saving techniques employed by Copeland Builders: Solar passive energy design-long side of home facing south wherever possible
Advanced framing techniques
High R-value insulation and the use of foam insulation
Air sealing of building envelope
Properly sized heating and cooling equipment
Air sealed and insulated duct work
All ducts and heating equipment located within the heated space
On demand hot water heaters
Florescent lighting fixtures
Room occupancy switches, motion sensors
Energy Star appliances
Optional Geothermal heating systems and photo-voltaic solar electric panels
HEALTHY HOMEA healthy home is built by implementing healthy design elements. Building science principles should be applied in choosing appropriate low-toxic building materials and effective construction techniques. An integrated whole-house ventilation system should be incorporated to eliminate air pollutants. Additionally, the home should be constructed with a great emphasis on resistance to water penetration and on humidity control-humidity levels should be maintained between 25 and 55%.
The majority of Americans spend well over 50% of their time in their homes in what they believe or hope is a healthy and safe dwelling. However, the Environmental Protection Agency has reported that the internal air quality of homes can be much worse that the outside air; many times containing levels of pollutants that are two to six times higher than in the outside air. Copeland Builders is dedicated to doing our part in addressing this air quality concern.
Local building standards and codes normally don’t address enough of these air quality concerns. However, a healthy indoor environment is a primary concern in the design and construction of your Copeland Builders home, particularly since much can be done for very little added cost-typically 1-3%.
|
