In the last 30 years, Art Elliott, president of Shelter Associates, Inc. has seen dramatic changes in the building industry. “The advancement in products, alone, makes homes today higher quality,” Elliott said. His goal has always been to build the best house possible and has instilled that message into his team. “However, product by itself does not make a house high quality. Building a quality home requires a complete understanding of the construction process and an integration of the principles of building science,” he said. That is why Elliott and his team incorporate green building into their construction philosophy.

Green building is a buzz word commonly heard today. What is this really?

The Shelter Associate professionals have created their own definition which is printed on the back of each person’s business card:

Green Builder (n) A team of construction associates who choose and integrate materials and methods using the principles of building science to achieve comfortable, sustainable, energy conscious, resource efficient and healthy living environments.

How do they do it? Well, let’s look at the definition.

“Choosing to do it,” said Jeff Voeller, vice president of sales and marketing, “means we need to know what we are doing.” Each member of the Shelter Team - office and field staff alike - has attended training and seminars on green building.

It is important to understand what the materials and products are, what they can do and how each aspect impacts the next, starting with the building envelope. “We put a lot of emphasis in the construction of the building envelope. We focus on important items many builders minimize as a cost savings because they are not seen within the structure and code does not require the upgrades,” Voeller said. “It is important to understand the long term effects so you are making an educated choice in how you want to build.”

It means investing more initially in the construction of the house to realize savings and comfort for years to come. Beginning with areas that are difficult, if not impossible, to change later: such as upgraded insulation values, air sealing penetrations in floors and walls, using building wrap and high-efficiency Low E2 windows with argon gas (properly installed and flashed) to create a shell that will reduce energy and air transfer through the walls.

A highly efficient heating and cooling system will further maximize the energy saving benefits created within the building envelope. Proper placement of the system within a conditioned crawl space and sealing all ducts moves the air efficiently throughout your home and reduces air loss into non-living spaces.

With a few more details you have created a home that meets ENERGY STAR® certification requirements, resulting in up to 30 percent savings on energy bills. The ENERGY STAR® certification process requires testing by an independent, Home Performance Specialist to ensure proper completion of the construction process.

The interior phases of construction include products that are friendly on the earth’s environment, such as using low VOC paint which reduces odors; choosing low-flow toilets to conserve water; and installing highly efficient water heaters and circulating water systems which operate on a sensor, so you are only heating water when you need it. Many products include recycled materials, such as concrete counter tops by Concrete Habitat.

The results: A home that is beautiful, yet comfortable and effi- cient to last for generations; a home that is energy-conscious; a home that is resource-efficient; and finally, a home with a healthy living environment for you and your family.

The professionals at Shelter Associates, Inc. are excited to share with you the benefits of green building, guide you through the process of designing your home, and help you select from the many attractive sustainable products available for your new green home. They will spend time in the design process educating clients to help make the right choices that fit within their budget. Are you ready to CHOOSE GREEN?

We build to maximize the investment you make in creating your home and your future. It’s the right way to build. That’s why we build green!