Contact us for a free blower door demonstration to prove how leaky a home really can be, even newly built homes. It would be foolish not to build an energy efficient home. Most builders, if asked, would say that they build energy efficient homes, but do not. We back it up with an independent 3rd party, certified, Home Energy Rater who PLANS, inspects, TESTS, and certifies your home to be energy efficient, lowering your utility bills from a minimum of 20 to over 50%! You will also receive the ENERGY STAR label that will be placed in the circuit panel box of your home. If your home is sold, showing potential buyers your past years utility bills will separate your home from the others.

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:



Contact us for a free blower door demonstration to prove how leaky a home really can be, even newly built homes.

View www.energystar.gov.

Click on New Homes (in the blue box), then click on either:

  1. How New Homes Earn the Energy Star
  2. Features and Benefits of Energy Star Homes
  3. Green Homes and Energy Star
  4. Behind the Walls of an Energy Star Home

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 over 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 offer green, energy efficient construction at no extra cost to you.



Do I have to use a green builder?

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.

Several Ideal Home Builders' differences:

  1. Walls: Sealed from air leakage and infiltration by caulking, foaming, and blocking all areas of potential leakage. Using spray foam insulation to prevent air infiltration. Weather stripping on all access doors.
  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 and caulked.
  5. Insulation: Minimum R15 in framed walls and R38 in ceiling.
  6. HVAC: Smaller heating and air units because of a more energy efficient home. Minimum R14 seer with dual fuel heating and air system.
  7. Crawl Space: Sealed and conditioned for overall better air quality with less moisture, mold, bugs and rodents.
  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 duct blast and blower door test. In a a standard home, as much as 20 to 50% or more of your heating and cooling dollars escape through the unseen cracks and gaps. It's like leaving a large window open year round.
  13. Home Energy Audit: After your home is completed, the independent, certified, Home Energy Rater will test your entire home for air leakage. A minimum standard of at least 20% more energy efficiency must be met to qualify for the blue Energy Star label certification.
  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 on NEW HOMES (in the blue box).



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. There have been over one million ENERGY STAR homes built since the program first began in 1995. ENERGY STAR is recognized by 75% 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 NEW HOMES (in the blue box).

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 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 over 20 MPG. It's a no brainer! For more information, view ENERGY STAR'S website: www.energystar.gov and click on NEW HOMES (in the blue box).