5 Sustainable Homes That Don’t Skimp on Style

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The modular home, which was built in 31 days, is sited and grade… Read More The modular home, which was built in 31 days, is sited and graded to direct surface sheet drainage to the rain garden for infiltration.

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Timed ventilation fans in the kitchen and bathrooms exhaust to t… Read More Timed ventilation fans in the kitchen and bathrooms exhaust to the outside.

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The efficient, open floor plan offers many custom touches, inclu… Read More The efficient, open floor plan offers many custom touches, including reclaimed oak floors, solid fir beams, ski storage, and a recycling center.

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The home is oriented to maximize solar heat gain in the winter. … Read More The home is oriented to maximize solar heat gain in the winter. In addition, existing and newly planted trees on the northwest side provide windbreaks and help reduce cold air penetration.

Green Model Home, Plymouth, N.H.
Builder: ABODE Builders of New England, Plymouth
Architect: Ken Pieper & Associates, Evergreen, Colo.
Size: 1,680 square feet
Cost: $236 per square foot
Certifications: LEED-Platinum, Build Green NH Gold, Energy Star

The LEED-Platinum Mountain Home proves that modular construction does not have to sacrifice clients’ aesthetic wishes. ABODE Builders incorporated classic lodge-style design, architecture, and interior finishes into this factory-built home while achieving superior energy efficiency and waste reduction.

All products were selected with durability and sustainability in mind, including reused hardwood flooring, TREX decking with 98% recycled content, Greenguard-certified paints, and low-VOC carpets and pads. High-efficiency Energy Star appliances and light fixtures help keep energy use to a minimum.

To decrease water consumption and maintenance outside, 50% of the landscaping is drought-tolerant plant species. A moisture sensor ensures that water is used for irrigation only when needed, and a rainwater garden and swales manage water runoff from the roof.

Other sustainable features include:
–A tankless on-demand hot water heater
–Low-flow bath fixtures and dual-flush toilets
–Local Vermont soapstone kitchen countertops
–R-24 ICF foundation walls for a conditioned, well-insulated crawlspace
–HRV system with MERV 11 filter

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