What is Green?

When building GREEN, it is important to take a "whole house approach".  The selection of materials and systems go hand in hand to create an overall package that provides the best indoor comfort and resource efficiency.  We take a practical approach based on what is most cost effective for our climate.  We break down the green building process as follows.

1. Energy Efficiency
This is all about saving gas and electricity.  With effective home placement on the site, you can take advantage of year round savings.  We take into consideration the home’s orientation to the sun and plan windows, overhangs, covered patios and shade trees to take advantage of the suns heat in the winter and shading in the summer.  We have selected energy efficient products that, when combined with the building envelope design, create the most energy efficient package for your money.
   
2. Water Conservation
Conserving water takes place both indoor and out.  We use water conserving plumbing fixtures and install drought tolerant sod and landscape.
   
3. Indoor Comfort
Some of the first steps in improving both energy efficiency and indoor comfort are constructing the building envelope to reduce air infiltration, properly installing the insulation, controlling indoor humidity and installing quality doors and windows.  We also use many products with low VOC's and provide balanced fresh air ventilation, along with a high efficiency air cleaner.
   

4. Construction Materials
We use materials that are renewable, recycled or resource efficient and that are more durable, structurally stronger, and require less maintenance.
   

5. Site Management
Trees can significantly reduce the amount of energy expended to cool a home in the summer.  We utilize the City of San Antonio’s Tree Preservation Ordinance when positioning a home on the home-site.  Each site is designed for the least environmental impact, with parking and recyclable construction debris locations identified.
   

6. Inspections and Testing

  Each home undergoes third party verification and testing for Energy Star, Build San Antonio Green, and National Association of Home Builders certifications, as well as Structural Foundation Engineering, Structural Frame Engineering and any municipality requirements.