Raising the Bar

The Kodiak High Performance, Green Built Home

What is Green Building all about?

As defined by The U.S Environmental Protection Agency: Green Building is a “means to improving the way that homes and homebuilding sites use energy, water, and materials to reduce impacts on human health and the environment. Building a green home means making environmentally-preferable and sustainable decisions throughout the building process--decisions that will minimize the environmental impact of the home while it is being built and over the many years it will be lived in.”

Is Green Building worth the effort?

Yes! And, since 2004, Kodiak Homes has been on the forefront of building green homes within the Richmond area. We simply think it is just the right thing to do. As a matter of fact, we plan and construct our homes to meet or exceed both EarthCraft and ENERGY STAR standards. To achieve these certifications our homes are inspected and tested by a third-party inspector, so you know your finished home is truly “green”.

Our passion is to build innovative, energy efficient homes with pride, intelligence, and commitment…our focus is simple: to create a higher standard of home. With each project, Kodiak Homes works to help meet the daily challenges we face, including: high and volatile energy costs, resource conservation, energy independence, and environmental conservation.

What is an EarthCraft House?

The EarthCraft House Program is a voluntary green building program that serves as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes that reduce energy costs and protect the environment. Each home is independently tested by a third-party to verify that it meets the standards to be certified as an EarthCraft House. For a home to be certified as EarthCraft, the builder must submit a worksheet, follow a point system, and allow for certification inspection once the house is complete.

An EarthCraft certified house looks like any other house with all of the features and amenities you desire. Following the guidelines of the EarthCraft House Program, money saving and environmentally friendly elements are built into the home.

Value to the Homeowner: As an EarthCraft House Owner, the following benefits can be expected versus a standard built house:

  • Less maintenance requirements
  • Reduced annual operating costs
  • Lower total cost of home ownership
  • A more valuable investment that saves money and energy every day
  • A more quiet and comfortable home
  • Enhanced indoor air quality- for a healthy living environment

ENERGY STAR® Homes

In addition to the EarthCraft House Program, we are proud to offer new homes that have earned the ENERGY STAR® label. ENERGY STAR qualified new homes are substantially more energy efficient than homes built to the minimum code requirements. Our ENERGY STAR qualified new homes are independently verified by a third-party Home Energy Rater to ensure they meet ENERGY STAR energy efficiency guidelines. These homes are better for the environment and better for you.

Benefits of owning one of our ENERGY STAR qualified new homes include:

A Label Backed by the Government

All ENERGY STAR qualified new homes are certified to meet EPA's strict guidelines for energy efficiency. This exemplary performance is verified by an independent third party.

Lower Utility Costs

Compared with standard homes, ENERGY STAR qualified new homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and hot water heating. Homeowners can save between 30 – 50% on their utility bills.

More Comfortable/Quieter Homes

The energy-efficient features of ENERGY STAR qualified new homes keep out excessive heat, cold, and noise, and ensure consistent temperatures between and across rooms-making these homes more comfortable to live in.

Helping to Create a Better Future

By purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified new home, you are joining millions of consumers who have changed to ENERGY STAR, helping our nation reduce our energy needs and building a cleaner environment for the future.

Features of our ENERGY STAR qualified new homes include:

  • Effective Insulation — Properly installed insulation that meets or exceeds national code requirements helps achieve even temperatures throughout the house while using less energy. The result is lower utility costs and a quieter, more comfortable home.
  • High-Performance Windows — Advanced window coatings help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. They also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furniture.
  • Tight Construction and Tight Ducts — Attention to detail by sealing all holes, cracks, and seams in ducts and construction assemblies helps eliminate drafts, moisture, dust, pests, and pollen. This improves comfort and the quality of indoor air, while lowering maintenance costs.
  • Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment — More efficient and properly sized heating and cooling systems use less energy, which reduces utility bills. These systems also turn on and off less frequently, removing more humidity and providing better comfort.

Learn more about ENERGY STAR qualified new homes at http://www.energystar.gov/.