Interview with a "Green" Custom Home Customer
Q:Why did you choose GRB as your builder?
A: We started the process of locating a professional, local builder by interviewing a group of local firms, looking for a comfort level that they were competent. The representatives from Golden Rule Builders were the most impressive, even encouraging us to talk to a group of their very satisfied customers, and actually look at the very high quality completed homes Golden Rule Builders designed, and constructed. One additional plus is that Golden Rule Builders were always patient and fine with our bringing in subcontractors for very specific projects we wanted completed. And even after the first set of plans were presented to us by the design team at Golden Rule Builders, when we decided we wanted them to try again, they were really great about it and in short order presented us with a new set of plans that we thought were wonderful.
Q: What is your definition of "green?"
A: Well we feel it is really a state of mind, that translated into our new home being very energy efficient. Our pulling together the latest technologies that make a living space environmentally safe, and in the final analysis, fun and pleasant to live in. One of the central issues facing, and confronting anyone who decides to build a "green" home is the lack of incentives and information provided by the state of Virginia. It's really up to each individual, prospective homeowner to do virtually all of the research, and then locate responsible, capable contractors.
Q: What features of your home are "green?"
A: After research and discussions, we produced a list of features to be integral parts of the overall design concept for our new home, that included the following:
- Lighting fixtures with compact fluorescent bulbs, or LED lights, and Solatubes were used to decrease the electrical consumption.
- Solar hot water heating.
- A Geothermal Heating and Cooling System (installed by a firm located online and reviewed by a freelance engineer we hired).
- Our choice of insulation is a hybrid variety, and the technique is to seal the entire house with a foam, called a thermal envelope. Then a cellulose insulation is placed on top of the foam for even greater insulation efficiency.
- The placement of our home's windows were a series of strategic decisions to enhance the quality of interior light, and at the same time help keep the house comfortable in all seasons.
- One of the decisions we made was to use the Geothermal Heat Pump to help generate hot water.
Q: What's the most "energy efficient" decision you've made?
A: While we're still waiting and watching, until all of the systems are up and running over time we'll have to wait for a definitive answer.
Q: What elements did you select to enhance indoor air quality?
A: The first decision we made was to select interior paints with very low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), and low VOC carpet padding. Also the adhesives we used have no VOC in their chemical composition. The one area of compromise is in the kitchen, were we installed cabinets constructed with composite materials that do give off some VOCs. An alternative would have been custom, solid wood cabinets, but we found them to be really cost prohibitive. Perhaps in the future we may go to the custom solid wood, or even metal cabinets. With overall air quality a central concern across the nation, having the comfort of knowing that at least the air circulating through one's home is breathable, is very comforting.
Q: How did you make your home easy to access?
A: The entire bottom area of our home is very handicap friendly, with all hallways and entrances wide enough for comfortable wheelchair passage. In addition, we avoided any steps at the front and back entrances and instead installed gently sloping ramps with no thresholds at the doorways.
Q: How would you rate your experience so far with GRB?
A: After all of the meetings, and discussions with the great design team at Golden Rule Builders, we were and are still thrilled with their quality and professional follow through. Someone, somewhere was looking out for us when we had the privilege of working with them. We love our new home, and look forward to recommending Golden Rule Builders to prospective new home owners who we know will absolutely enjoy the journey!
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3409 Catlett Road, Catlett, Virginia 20119