Ideal Home Builders offers green energy efficient construction *at no extra cost to you. Johnny Deal with Ideal Home Builders is a National Association of Home Builders Certified Green Professional (CGP) and an ENERGY STAR Partner.


Energy Star Visually...
check the box that applies to your new home:

View www.energystar.gov.

  1. NEW HOMES
  2. Energy Star Qualified Homes, Take a Tour Behind the Walls
  3. Explore Qualified New Homes
  4. Energy Star New Home Features
  5. Benefits for Homeowners

Ideal Home Builders' Homes are based on the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Model Green Home Building Guidelines and the National Green Building Program.

View www.nahbgreen.org

Certified Green Professional     NAHB National Green Building Program

You may have heard of ENERGY STAR appliances, now you can purchase an ENERGY STAR home. It is like choosing two identical cars for the same price, one getting 15 MPG and the other 20 MPG. It's a no brainer!

Information taken from www.energystar.gov and www.nahbgreen.org



What is green building?

Green building is the scientific approach to construction that follow strict energy efficient guidelines and techniques to ultimately make a building MORE durable, healthier, energy efficient and better for the environment than standard buildings.



Why is green building such a big deal?

Energy cost may the most important key. Building scientist who study the mechanics of why buildings behave the way they do helped promote products, design, techniques and standards for more comfortable, healthier and energy efficient buildings. Homeowners are smarter and ready for a change from standard construction and the building industry is ready to follow.



Why build a green home?

Green homes exceed national, state and local building codes. Compared to standard construction, green homes have a higher resale value, lower utility bills, they are more comfortable, durable, healthier and better for the environment. Green homes are a great value because you start saving money the first day you move in. You want to get the most house for your money. That means you should not only be able to afford your new home, but you should be able to afford to live in it too. Ideal Home Builders offers you all of this *at no extra cost to you!



Does a green home cost more?

No, not with Ideal Home Builders. We are offering green energy efficient construction at no extra cost to you through 3/31/2010.



Do I have to use a green builder?

No. Any builder can hire a professional energy auditor that will help plan and test your home. However, construction is not an industry that changes quickly. Many builders build a certain way because that's what they know. Some are not willing to take the time, cost or effort to learn how to build a better home. Even experienced builders can be reluctant to try new things, but the payoff can be very rewarding for both the builder and the homeowner.



Are solar panels necessary?

No. The only solar panels that are cost effective in Virginia and North Carolina are those used for hot water heaters. However, tankless on demand hot water heaters (that use propane) are sufficient and more energy efficient than electric hot water heaters.



What are specific differences between a green home and a standard home?

Ideal Home Builders uses scientific energy efficient techniques in the walls, ceilings, framing, roof ridges, duct systems and foundations resulting in less air leakage and infiltration than standard home construction. We use more than twenty five (25) green techniques that standard home construction does not use. The best way to understand the differences is to contact Johnny Deal (owner/contractor) by phone: 434-865-4604 or email: johnny.deal@gmail.com or visit ENERGY STAR's website: www.energystar.gov then click on ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Take a Tour Behind the Walls.

Several Ideal Home Builders' differences:

  1. Walls: Sealed from air leakage and infiltration by caulking top and bottom plates, blocking and using correct and properly installed insulation to prevent air leaks.
  2. Ceilings: Sealed from air leakage and infiltration by caulking, taping and blocking to prevent air leaks.
  3. Rim Joist: Sealed and insulated with foam and batt insulation that is installed properly.
  4. Ridge: Cathedral ridge sealed with foam insulation.
  5. Insulation: Minimum R15 in walls and R38 in ceiling
  6. HVAC: Minimum R14 seer with dual fuel heating and air system
  7. Crawl Space: Sealed and conditioned by a smaller heating and air system for better dehumidification and energy efficiency.
  8. ENERGY STAR products: Lighting, appliances, HVAC system, etc. that are ENERGY STAR Certified.
  9. CFL Lighting: Compact fluorescent lighting
  10. Solar or On Demand Tankless Hot Water Heaters
  11. Duct System: Sealed and tested by an independent third-party Home Energy Rater using a duct blast test.
  12. Home: Tested for air leakage and infiltration by an independent third-party Home Energy Rater using a blower door test. In a standard home, as much as 25% of your heating and cooling dollars escapes through the unseen cracks and gaps. It's like leaving a window open year round.
  13. Home Energy Audit: Inspected and tested by an independent third-party Home Energy Rater using an infrared camera to show problem areas after construction.
  14. Advanced Framing Techniques: Reduce air leakage and air infiltration to ensure a tight, energy efficient home.
  15. Foil Radiant Heat Barrier: (used in attic) that reduces radiant heat transfer by 97%, reducing heating and cooling cost.
  16. Radon: Radon Mitigation System installed. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

For more information, view ENERGY STAR's website: www.energystar.gov and click the box: ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes, Take a Tour Behind the Walls.



What is ENERGY STAR?

ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. It's a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The goal of the program is to save us money and protect the environment. ENERGY STAR is recognized by 70% of households. More than 60 kinds of products (appliances, lighting, heating and cooling equipment) and now, HOMES can earn the ENERGY STAR label. For more information, call Johnny at 434-865-4604, visit www.energystar.gov or call their toll free number: 1-888-782-7937.



What is an ENERGY STAR home?

To earn the ENERGY STAR label, a home must meet strict government guidelines for energy efficiency (above standard codes) set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. These homes are tested by an independent third party Home Energy Rater.
They are at least 15% more energy efficient than standard construction and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more energy efficient than standard homes. ENERGY STAR homes include a variety of "tried-and-true" energy efficient features to improve home air quality, durability, comfort and most importantly, energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR is good for you, your wallet and the environment.



How is an ENERGY STAR home tested?

Ideal Home Builders incorporates green building techniques into every home they build *at no extra cost to you. ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes are planned, tested and certified by an independent professional third party Home Energy Rater who designs, inspects and then verifies your home to make sure it passes the strict ENERGY STAR guidelines. Home Energy Raters use state-of-the-art equipment to verify the energy efficiency of your home before, during and after completion.

Examples of some tests performed:

  1. Blower Door Test checks the leakiness of your home to prevent air loss and infiltration
  2. Duct Blast Test checks the leakiness of your duct system to prevent air duct loss.
  3. Infrared Camera Test to pinpoint areas where heat and cold escapes or infiltrates so your builder can properly seal and insulate those areas even after construction.

For examples and photos, view ENERGY STAR's website: www.energystar.gov and click on box: ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes, Take a Tour Behind the Walls.

Enjoy peace of mind knowing for sure your home meets strict energy efficient guidelines, beyond standard construction. What does this mean to you? Real proof that your home is green. Start saving money, from the first day you move in!



Why buy an ENERGY STAR home?

Peace of mind! The ENERGY STAR label placed in your home's circuit breaker box means it is SIGNIFICANTLY (15-30%) more energy efficient than a standard built home. ENERGY STAR homes are planned, inspected, tested and then verified by an independent Home Energy Rater, not just your builder. "If you don't test it, you don't know!" The ENERGY STAR label is just a way to put a meaningful number on just how well built a home REALLY is. You insist on ENERGY STAR appliances, now insist on an ENERGY STAR home. It is like buying identical cars for the same price, one getting 15 MPG, the other 20 MPG. It's a no brainer! For more information, view ENERGY STAR's website: www.energystar.gov and click on "New Homes," then click on "Buying a new house plan? Look for one that's Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR."



* offer expires 3/31/2010