BUILT GREEN® BUILT BETTER

KEM Homes offers the homeowner additional built green® options catered to their individual lifestyle. Here are some options that you may choose:

Homeowner Options Built Green® Checklist:

ENERGY STAR® qualified ceiling fans installed

Ceiling fan/light combination units that have earned the ENERGY STAR® label are about 50% more efficient than conventional fan/light units. This can save a homeowner $15-$20 per year on utility bills, plus any additional air conditioning or heating savings you may gain when your fan is operated properly. As the cost of electricity rises, ceiling fans are a low-cost and increasingly popular alternative for space cooling.

Electronically commutated motor (ECM) on air handler/furnace

Furnaces equipped with an ECM motor have lower annual operating costs and can save you $40 to $300 per year depending on how you use the furnace fan. Some homeowners choose to run their fan continuously to help even out warm and cold spots in their home or to provide extra air filtration which may be valued due to health concerns. ECM motors use significantly less electricity to deliver the warm air from the furnace throughout your home. ECM furnaces operate with as little as 80 watts of electricity. That's as much as ten times less than standard fan motors.

High efficiency water heater

Typical "atmospherically" vented water heaters mix gas with house air to fuel the unit. When the system is working properly, small pressure differences push exhaust products safely up the vent. However, air leaks to the attic, exhaust fans, clothes dryers, leaky ducts and wind can cause negative pressures in the vicinity of the water heater casing the flow through the vent to reverse or "backdraft" exhaust fumes into the home. Power-direct vented and sealed combustion water heaters eliminate the potential danger of the unit back-drafting into the house.

Install an integrated whole house HEPA filter

The air inside a home can be five times more polluted than the air outside. Children, whose respiratory systems are still developing, are at greater risk of asthma or allergies if they are exposed to many airborne contaminants. Increased levels of contaminants in the air can even affect the well-being of fully developed, healthy adults. HEPA filters capture indoor pollutants such as mold spores, pollen, pet dander, dust, dust mites and their by-products, making the indoor environment safer for your family.

ENERGY STAR® low sone exhaust fans

ENERGY STAR® qualified ventilation fans use 65% less energy, on average, than standard models. These fans move more air per unit of energy used through better blade design, provide better efficiency and comfort with less noise and use high performance motors that perform better and last longer.

Exhaust fan in garage

In homes with attached garages, removing auto exhaust contaminants from garage before it infiltrates into the conditioned space is of serious concern for ensuring indoor environmental quality.

Central Vacuum

Research has proven that a central vacuum can be of great relief to allergy sufferers. Central power units sit in an out-of-the-way area such as your garage, basement or utility room. Wall inlet valves are then installed in various locations throughout the home and connected to the power unit through tubing. After installation, the system can be activated by simply plugging the lightweight hose into a wall inlet. The system then carries the dirt, animal dander and allergens out of the room into the main power unit and deposits all of the debris into the canister. The system is convenient, quiet and improves indoor air quality.

UV Light installed in supply duct system above A/C coil

A UV light in a home's HVAC system stops mold and bacteria growth, eliminates odors, destroys VOC's and fights germs.

Water-based urethane finishes on wood floors

Water-based urethane finishes have a much milder odor than oil-based finishes and don't yellow over time. That "new house smell" is actually the odor of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is a telltale sign that there are harmful chemicals in the indoor environment.

Tankless water heater

Tankless water heaters offer several advantages over conventional units: energy efficiency, a constant supply of hot water, and space savings. Demand water heaters cost more than conventional storage water heaters. However, since they have no standby losses (no heated tank of water that is sitting idle while not being used), they operate at about 25% greater energy efficiency than tank-type heaters and their payback over a conventional water heater is approximately 3-5 years.

Water heaters with energy factors (EF) equal to or greater than .62

Tank-type gas water heaters can waste energy (and cost the homeowner money) as they heat water and then can sit idle when not in use. Investing in a water heater with a higher efficiency can save dollars year after year, especially as natural gas prices continue to rise.

Refrigerator is an ENERGY STAR® labeled product

ENERGY STAR® refrigerators can save between 1,300 and 1,800 kWh over a conventional refrigerator throughout the life-time of the unit. This equates to payback periods between 4.5 and 6 years depending upon model type. ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerator models use at least 15% less energy than required by current federal standards and 40% less energy than the conventional models sold in 2001.

ENERGY STAR® qualified self-ballasted compact fluorescent screw-based bulbs (CFLs)

ENERGY STAR® Qualified Compact Fluorescent Bulbs: Last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs; use 1/3 the energy of ordinary bulbs; save an average of $30 each or more in energy costs over their lifetime; provide the same amount of light (lumens) as standard incandescent bulbs, but use fewer watts of energy; backed by a minimum 2-year manufacturer warranty; prevent more than 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each over their life.

Advanced Lighting and Automation Control System

Advanced lighting controls add to occupant comfort and convenience by providing uniform lighting levels and automation while also saving energy.

Tubular skylights installed in interior areas

In addition to reducing the need for artificial light (hereby saving energy and dollars), there may be other benefits that cannot as easily be quantified - such as health and productivity benefits from full-spectrum, natural daylight.

Stucco wall material finish or stone comprises 50% or more of the exterior wall area

The durability, aesthetics and air-tightness of stucco and synthetic plaster are selling points, as well as the beauty of molded stone.

Natural fiber carpet (e.g. wood, sisal, etc.) made with non-SB latex backing

Natural fiber carpet will not emit VOCs unless treated with chemicals, are extremely durable and long-lasting and additionally there are no VOC emissions in the manufacture or use of non-SB latex backing.

Bamboo in place of hardwood

Bamboo is sustainably-harvested and aesthetically pleasing alternatives to traditional wood flooring materials, and wears better than oak flooring.

100% of carpet pad in house is made from content or natural fiber

Not only does recycled-content carpet pad keep these materials out of the landfills and reduce the demand for and environmental impact of virgin pad materials, it will often yield better indoor air quality, as older materials typically have lower emission rates of volatile organic compounds.

Recycled-content carpet

Forty 2-liter soft drink bottles are diverted from the landfill for every square yard of recycled PET carpet. Recycled content carpet fiber is said to be more resilient and colorfast than virgin fiber carpet. Recycled carpet usually comes with the same warranties for colorfastness, static control, and resistance to stain, crushing, and matting as virgin synthetic fiber carpets.

Ceramic or glass tile is 50% or more post consumer recycled-content

Tile is an inherently low-toxic, waterproof, durable finish materials for flooring, walls, and other applications. Recycled content ceramic tiles can contain up to 70% recycled glass, are very durable, and often more moisture and stain resistant than traditional tiles. Recycled glass/cast concrete countertops are as durable as granite and less porous than marble. They also withstand heat, which makes it an excellent choice next to a stove, and are comparable in cost to marble, granite or Corian. Using recycled materials in useful building products closes the loop on recycling.

Built-in recycling center with two or more bins

More than two-thirds of the US public consider themselves environmentalists. Recycling is one of the easiest ways to contribute to a greener community, and this very visible feature fits well with local recycling programs. This item, widely available, is a visible demonstration of the builder's commitment to green building, making recycling more convenient for the homeowner.

Clothes washer meets ENERGY STAR® labeled product

ENERGY STAR® qualified clothes washers clean clothes using 50% less energy and 50% less water than standard washers. Additionally models which meet the CEE's 3B requirements are 22% MORE energy efficient, and use 43% less water than a Tier 1 ENERGY STAR® model.

Install a hot water demand controlled recirculation pump. A manual control or occupant sensor switch shall operate the pump with an automatic senor shut-off

Running water down the drain while waiting for hot water to get to the tap wastes over 10,000 gallons each year in an average American household. The most common strategy for reducing this tremendous waste is a hot water recirculation system, which keeps hot water moving through the pipes, so it's always right there when the faucet is opened.

Kitchen and Bathroom faucets fitted with aerator restricting flow

Inexpensive and simple-to-install, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators can reduce home water consumption and water heating costs by as much as 50%. Faucet aerators replace the faucet head screen, lowering the flow by adding air to the spray.

Showerheads installed are low-flow

Showers account for roughly 20% of residential indoor water use, according to the EPA (non-conserving showerheads use 5 to 8 gpm, consuming up to 40 gallons of water for a single five-minute shower) and approximately 73% of the water used in a typical shower is hot water. Low-flow heads save more than 12 gallons per shower (a savings of 44% over non-conserving showerheads). Ultra-low-flow heads conserve even more, using only .8 to 1.5 gpm, reducing the average five-minute shower's water usage from 40 to 7.5 gallons. Inexpensive and simple-to-install, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators can reduce home water consumption and water heating costs by as much as 50%.

Dual-flush gravity, pressure or vacuum assist toilet

Dual flush (1.6/.8 liter) toilets can reduce water usage by up to 67% compared with a traditional toilet that uses 2.9 gallons in a single flush. Pressure-Assisted Toilets are the most powerful toilets, best suited for large families or heavy use. The toilet's water supply provides the pressure to compress air within a sealed plastic reservoir inside the tank. When the incoming water reaches the fill line, the tank is pressurized and ready for the next flush. During flushing, the air under pressure created a loud "whoosh" as water blasts into the bowl. Up to 80% of the flush waster is used to purge the bowl, making for a very efficient flush. Vacuum-Assisted Toilets: the water tank has a vacuum chamber that works like a siphon. It pulls air out of the trap below the bowl and quickly fills the water to clear waste. These toilets, like the power-assisted models, work well in close quarters, bathrooms located near bedrooms or anywhere you'd want quiet toilet.

HVAC filters

Better filtration is one stop towards improving indoor air quality. A MERV 8 filter can remove 25% more particulates from the air than an HVAC system with a typical filter.