Building Green | Asheville NC Custom Builder

Thompson Properties, Inc. constructed the first green, Healthy-Built Certified Home in the Cliffs at Walnut and is a leader in using the latest building technologies and environmentally friendly products in our community. An Energy Star Builder and member of the WNC Green Building Council, Thompson is also a member of the Asheville Homebuilders Association and has won numerous awardsfor outstanding quality. We will make sure your home complies with all federal, state and local government requirements including the NC Building Code, NC Energy Code and all local developmental regulations for low density development. Many thoughtful environmentally friendly features will be integrated in your home which can be tested and certified as an Energy Star Home and WNC Healthy Built Home (equivalent to LEED certification). This certification qualifies the house to receive a 5% monthly discount on the electric bill for the life of the property from Duke-Progress Energy. . It will also qualify for the High Efficiency Discount Rate from PSNA of 5% for all natural gas usage. This equates to thousands of dollars of savings on gas and electric bills over the years while providing a healthy environment for your family. Many thoughtful environmental features will be integrated in your home which can include:

• Sealed ductwork joints and penetrations permanently sealed with low toxic mastic or aerosolized sealant. All air distribution systems tested for leakage and do not exceed 5% of the home’s heated square footage when measured in CFM/25Pa of leakage
• All building space heating and cooling equipment is sized according to heating and cooling load calculations using ANSI/ACCA Manual J 8th Edition or equivalent; cooling equipment is within 6,000 BTU's of cooling calculations
• The attached garage, air barrier between conditioned living space and garage, includes weather-stripping at all penetrations, sealed drywall joints and other measures
• Kitchen Range Hood that exhausts 350 cfm or greater, intentional make up air is provided

Site Work

• Temporary planting of cover crops on disturbed land areas performed within two weeks of completing rough grading activities
• Trees and natural features on site protected during construction (min. 25% of development or lot)
• Tree planting (min. 12 trees per acre of developed land)

Water Conservation

• Provide a site specific drought resistant planting plan
• Rainwater harvested and directed toward landscaping needs; cistern for collection of rainwater to irrigate plants
• Installed irrigation system is zoned separately for turf and bedding areas
• Kitchen faucet fitted with aerator restricting flow to 2.2 gpm.
• All bathroom faucets fitted with aerator restricting flow to 2.0 gpm.
• Toilets are high efficiency toilets (max 1.45 gpf) or dual flush (1.6/0.8 gpf)
• Clothes washer is an Energy Star labeled product
• Dishwasher is an Energy Star labeled product or meets/exceeds Energy Star criteria

Building Envelope

• Prevents Air Infiltration and Excess Energy Usage
• Blower door test meets min. standard of 0.25 cfm50/sf of surface area or 2.5 ACH/50Pa
• Rigid insulation is installed as a thermal break at the slab edge (R5, 6" minimum, vertically installed)
• Insulated hot water pipes to R-4 in unconditioned spaces for low energy performance
• Low-e windows NFRC rated U value of .32 or less
• Exterior doors (includes door to garage) insulated to R5 or greater

Comfort Systems

• Provide overhang between 1’ and 2’ above windows
• Programmable climate friendly thermostat
• SEER 14 or higher cooling equipment (min 75% of conditioned space) which exceeds NC State building code

Appliances, Lighting, Renewables

• Refrigerator is an Energy Star labeled product and meets or exceeds Energy Star criteria
• High efficiency or tankless water heater exceeds Energy Factor
• Built-in kitchen recycling center with two or more bins

Indoor Air Quality

• House meets American Lung Association Health House standards or complies with Energy Star Indoor Air Package Specification
• Drainage board for below grade walls
• Continuous foundation drain at outside perimeter edge of footing
• Filters rated MERV 9 or greater installed on forced air systems
• Bath exhaust fans measured exceed exhausting 50 cfm
• Ducts protected from dirt and debris until construction is completed
• Installations of Passive Radon System
• Radon test of home prior to occupancy
• Kitchen range hood or downdraft is vented to exterior
• Paints and finishes with low to zero VOC content
• Allow VOC's to dissipate prior to dwelling occupancy; Air is exhausted to outside for one week minimum
• Low VOC stains and finishes used on all wood floors and wood work
• Prohibited burying construction waste on site
• Central, organized cutting area for project site work
• Concrete with fly ash (min 25% fly ash) for slab/floor
• All beams are steel, engineered wood, or trusses
• Roof gutters/downspouts discharge water min. 5 feet from foundation
• Natural fiber carpet made with natural latex rather than SB latex backing for superior indoor air quality
• Low toxicity paints provide healthy indoor air quality