Sustainable Home Consultants, LLC

Come Tour the "River Escape" Project on 11.11.11

2011-11-04T17:28:00.001-07:00

On 11.11.11 come see our "River Escape" project a truly affordable home that was built to be 88% more energy efficient than and standard new code built home. This home is a Zero-Energy home that is projected to be a LEED for Homes“Platinum” project. The home is also a finalist for Green Builder Magazines "2011 Home of the Years". And is ZeroStep“Silver” Certified (Lifetime Design or Barrier Free) from Disability Advocates of Kent County Michigan.

Key Sustainable/Green Features

Rain Permeable Gravel Driveway.
Lifetime Design (Barrier Free)
Zero step entries.
Energy Star North Star Triple Pane Windows.
Energy Star LED & CFL lighting.
Energy Star Ceiling Fans.
Energy Star Appliances by Frigidaire.
SIP Panel Roof
Frost Protected Shallow Foundation (with R-20 Dow Insulation beneath it.)
BuildBlock ICF Construction (with 40% Fly-Ash)
Advanced Framing (Studs @ 24” o.c.)
James Hardie FiberCement siding (with recycled content)
MiraTec Trim (formaldehyde free, SCS Certified)
Central Vacuum System (Greatly reduces in-door air pollutants)
Concrete Floors through-out main floor. (Colored in the concrete mix)
FSC certified Bamboo Flooring on second story.
FSC certified stud interior walls.
No-VOC Paints and primers.
Low-VOC caulks and sealants.
Amish Built Kitchen Cabinets from wood within 5 miles from the project site.
Dual-Flush toilet by American Standard.
Low flow shower heads and faucets.
Pex Plumbing.
Radon Venting.
Radiant Heat Through-out Home.
Life breath HRV (heat recovery ventilator)
Passive Solar Design.
Solar Hot Water. (30% Tax Rebate)
4.1kW of Photovoltaic (30% Tax Rebate)
Pellet Stove (Back up Heat System)
Pre-wired for a future Wind Generator.
Pre-wired for future battery backup.

Please RSVP with us at 616.957.LEED (5333) or at ehughes@imagedesignarch.com

Project Updated for January & February

2011-02-11T13:43:00.000-08:00

We have been very busy the first few month of this year. Our"Glenn Retreat" project (See the picture above) is now complete and the final LEED for Homes certification paperwork is nearing completion this will be a LEED forHomes "Platinum" Project. Our projected LEED for Homes "Gold " "Turtle Lake" (Beulah, Mi.) project (Possibly a "Platinum" project now) and projected our LEED for Homes "Platinum" "River Escape" (Stanwood, Mi.) projects are under full construction and we are working hard on all the certification process for them.

We are also excite to report the we received ZeroStep "Silver" certification for the "River Escape" project that is the second highest certification they offer and the highest that we have received to date!

We just registered our first LEED for Project under Sustainable Home Consultants

2010-03-08T08:17:00.000-08:00

Its official the 100k House is registered with the USGBC through the LEED for Homes certification program. The projects goal is to achieve LEED for Homes "Platinum" certification. The home is being designed by Eric & Christy Hughes of I mage Design, LLC and the LEED certification is being handled by Eric Hughes of Sustainable Home Consultants, LLC , the Builder for this project will be Joel Harner of Let Us, Inc. The Goal behind the 100k house is to prove that a LEED certifed ICF home with renewable energy can be built for 100k. Please follow homeowner's through their journey of this amazing project!

New Logo Complete

2010-02-26T08:59:00.000-08:00

Our New logo is complete special thanks goes out to our drafts person Chris Hainer and our daughter Callie for coming up with the new logo design.

Why Sustainable/Green Homes?

2010-02-16T11:45:00.000-08:00

Residential construction is constantly evolving and sustainable/green building is a logical step in that evolution, particularly when thinking about energy usage, a healthier living environment and environmental impact. The fact that all homes account for 22% of the total energy and 74% of the water consumed in the nation necessitates that we design and construct more sustainable homes. When our homes have indoor air pollutant levels often four to five times higher than outdoor levels, we have to make our homes a healthier place to live. When 21% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions are coming from our homes, we have to construct our homes so they have less of an impact on the environment.

LEED and LEED for Homes

LEED, is an internationally recognized green building certification program, initiated in 1998 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The LEED Green Building Rating System is voluntary and is based on existing, proven technology. It is applicable to all building types, commercial as well as residential.

LEED for Homes was created by the USGBC in November 2007 to promote green building techniques, energy saving strategies, and use of high performance materials, appliances, and mechanical and electrical equipment. With LEED certification, homebuyers can readily identify a high-quality green home that has been third-party inspected, performance tested, and certified to perform better than a conventional home. LEED provides national consis tency in defining the features of a green home which assures homebuyers of the quality of their purchases.

LEED for Homes certification is based on a point system, with 18 prerequisites and credits, within specific categories in the building process. The 18 prerequisites are basic performance standards, which are mandatory for every home. No points are awarded for prerequisites. To achieve certification, builders must earn credit points by exceeding the minimum stan dards of the prerequisites. In total: 136 credit points are available. Prerequisites and points are classified in following eight credit categories.

1. Innovation & Design Process: Special design methods, unique regional credits, measures not currently addressed in the Rating System, and exemplarity performance levels.

2. Location & Linkages: The placement of homes in socially and environmentally responsible ways in relation to the larger community.

3. Sustainable Sites: The use of the entire property so as to minimize the project’s impact on the site.

4. Water Efficiency: Water conservation practices, both indoor and outdoor.

5. Energy & Atmosphere: Energy efficiency, particularly in the building envelope and heating and cooling design.

6. Materials & Resources: Effi cient utilization of materials, selection of environmentally preferable materi als, and minimization of waste during construction.

7. Indoor Environmental Quality: Improvement of indoor air quality by reducing the creation of and exposure to pollutants.

8. Awareness & Education: The education of homeowner, tenant, or multifamily building manager about the operations and maintenance of the green features of a LEED Home.

LEED for Homes Certification Levels

Required points
Certified	45-59
Silver	60-74
Gold	75-89
Platinum	90-136
Total available points	136

The number of points for each certification level is adjusted for smaller-than-average and larger-than-average homes using the Home Size Adjustment chart.

Based on the amount of points earned, a LEED-certified home will receive a rating of Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.

Welcome to Sustainable Home Consultants LLC New Web-log

2010-02-16T11:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Sustainable Home Consultants, LLC new web-log. Our new firm was started to help Homeowner and Builders navigate through the LEED for Homes certification processes. We have worked with builder and homeowner to certify 3 LEED for Home "Platinum" projects and 1 LEED for Homes "Gold" project. We currently have two new projects register in the LEED for Homes certification program with the goals of LEED for Homes "Platinum" for both of them.