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Sustainability Will Never Go Out of Style in New Home Plans

September 18, 2018

If you’re in the market for a new home, particularly one that is custom built to meet your family’s needs, you’ve likely heard the term sustainability. But what does that really mean? The dictionary provides the most simple definition: able to be maintained at a certain rate or level, able to be upheld or defended. This definition, however, gets blurred when it comes to sustainable housing. The issue is focus, according to Planners Network, The Organization of Progressive Planning. This is because there are three fundamental aspects to sustainable housing: environmental protection, economic growth, and social equality. While each of those factors is inherently important and all contribute to a long-term appreciation for sustainability, today, we’ll place our attention where most homebuyers will, on environmental sustainability. And, the goal with environmental sustainability is to create the most efficient home possible to perverse our natural resources and local ecosystem. Unfortunately, if it was only about taking care of our environment, sustainability might not have the legs to stand up to time. However, when you combine environment-friendly products, beautiful home design, lasting construction, and long-term cost savings, then you have a recipe for success. For all of these reasons, New Tradition Homes is dedicated to designing “Homes of LIFE” and, in turn, has become the Northwest’s leader in green building practices for over a decade. These are just some of the sustainable features you will find in our new home plans: Weatherization – We work with trained and certified partners in weatherization to install all exterior weatherization, ensuring your home will stand up to our Pacific Northwest weather. Floor Insulation – Your floors are insulated with Knauf EcoBatt, the next generation of sustainable insulation, made from 61% recycled products and Greenguard certified. Driveway – Your driveway is laid down with concrete containing fly-ash, a byproduct of the burning coal industry. Not only is this stronger than traditional concrete, it rids waste from another industry. Water Conserving Faucets – You and your family will turn on the faucets in the bathrooms and kitchen countless times each day. You probably remember your parents telling you to turn off the water when you brush your teeth. You still should, but these Energy Star-approved faucets will also help curb water usage while lowering your bill. Energy Star-Rated Windows – You’ll likely want a lot of large windows in your new home so you can appreciate your picturesque view and draw in that natural light. However, you’ll also want to limit the sun’s warmth in the summer and the fading effect it can have on furniture and flooring. This is now possible as these windows filter the harmful UV rays and are properly insulated, keeping your home at the proper temperature all year long. High-Efficiency Air Filter - Our four-inch thick high-efficiency furnace air filters do a superior job at filtering out dust, pollen, and particles, creating a long-term healthy environment inside your home. Sealed Combustion Fireplace & Furnace - All combustion appliances in the home are “sealed combustion”, meaning they only draw combustion air directly from the outside. This also helps eliminate chances of poisonous carbon monoxide (CO2) entering the home. Roofing - You may not consider the roof over your head very often, but when you do, you can be proud knowing yours is both beautiful and made of 40% recycled material. Paint – The interior and exterior of your home alike will be developed with sustainable practices in mind. For paint, you can choose any color you like and we’ll make sure it has low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) to keep your indoor air quality top notch. As an added bonus, it’ll also be water-based so you can easily clean any scuff marks with just some soap and water. Duct Sealing – Older HVAC systems and those that are less efficient often waste energy. When you choose New Tradition Homes, we’ll ensure your ducts are sealed tight and have a maximum 4% leakage, compared to the more common 30%. This will keep your home running at the temperature you're most comfortable with and save money on your electric bill each month. Rain Sensor Sprinklers – We receive a lot of rain in the Pacific Northwest. For this reason, we don’t need to water our lawns on a regular basis. However, come summer, it’s a necessary chore, but with our rain sensor sprinklers, your system will automatically know if it needs to water your property. This will save you time, money, and the environment. When we think of sustainability, we are creating a home that is conducive to your needs, saves you time and money, and benefits the environment and so we add in the following:

• Energy efficient features
• Healthier indoor air features
• Air and watertight construction features
• Performance tested features
• Environmental responsibility features

The above are just some examples of how we incorporate this into your new home plan, and it doesn’t stop there. When we’re finished with construction, instead of sending excess lumber to the landfill, all of it is recycled instead. Certainly, this is all great for the environment. In fact, Energy Star certified homes each reduce greenhouse gases by 3,287 pounds per year. This is the equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions absorbed by planting 39 trees! And, it will save you an average of $250 per year. So what do you get when you choose a New Tradition “Homes for LIFE”? Livability – Floor plans designed with more space where you need it. Reduced indoor air allergens for healthier day-to-day living. Products that help you lead the lifestyle you want. Innovation – A Home that is Energy Star and Built Green WA certified, meeting the highest standards of quality and efficiency. Smart “future-ready” features like a tech panel connected to your phone, security system, and home automation, and native landscaping and advanced framing techniques. Financially Smart – You’ll get more for the money, the lowest monthly utility rates, and highest resale values, as well as two-year workmanship and ten-year structural warranties, doubling the industry standard. Energy Efficient – Energy Star-rated appliances and windows, 100% LED lighting, and blown-in blanket systems come standard in every home. With all of these top-notch offerings and the financial incentives in tow, how could anyone question whether sustainable housing is here to stay? So, are you ready for a New Tradition Home? We’re ready to help.