Our Commitment to Green Building:
Galbraith Builders is committed to using environmentally sustainable practices and energy-efficient technologies when designing and building homes. From the very inception of our business we strove to produce homes that would stand the test of time.
These homes were solidly built with materials and techniques intended to last for generations, like the best homes of days past. Today we have the same criteria for our homes, but we have become aware of the need to do so in a manner that is not harmful to our natural environment, our work crews, and the homeowners.
Effective green building begins with the initial site planning, and carries through to the finishes used in the house.
The end result is a house that has been built without harming our environment, is more energy efficient, and is overall a more pleasant, satisfying structure to live in.
We consider the following in our design and building process:
Ongoing Education
As members of the US Green Building Council, we continuously search out new energy efficient products and techniques. Mark Galbraith is a LEED AP (accredited professional). Our staff attends seminars and classes on an ongoing basis to keep abreast of new products and technologies. Educating our clients as to the availability of these materials and methods is a responsibility we take seriously. It is our belief that the effort spent in this endeavor is a win-win for our clients, our company, and our community.
We have received IGSPA (International Ground Source Heat Pump Association) certification for geothermal ground source heat pump systems. These systems deliver heating and cooling at around 400% efficiency, more than four times the efficiency of the best boiler or furnace systems available. Our sister company, Earth Source Geo LLC, specializes in the design and installation of these systems and is recognized as having the most experience in the Southwest Colorado region. (see our links to visit this company's website)
We have also received NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certification for the installation of photovoltaic (solar electric) systems. Many of our projects include the use of grid-tied net-metering photovoltaic systems, and solar thermal domestic hot water systems. We have built net-zero–energy homes, as well as Net-Zero Ready homes.
Built Green Colorado and Energy Star Ratings
Galbraith Builders produces homes that exceed the standards outlined by Built Green Colorado’s certification program. We also build homes that exceed the more stringent Energy Star certification standards.
During the design phase, each house is analyzed for its compliance with the program criteria. Periodic inspections during construction are followed by a final performance test by a third party inspector to certify that the work meets or exceeds the program standards. Points are tallied up and a grade or rating is given for each house. We have consistently attained high ratings as a result of our efforts.
LEED for HOMES – U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
The US Green Building Council initiated the LEED program, which is recognized as the number one Green Building program currently in existence. This program has set the bar very high for the best practices in Green Building. A LEED certification, which requires third-party verification, guarantees that the building will perform to the highest standards. We designed and built the first LEED certified home in La Plata County, and the first LEED certified Platinum home in all of Southwest Colorado.
More Information: If you would like to learn more about these programs i.e. solar and geothermal technologies, or would like to tour one of our completed Energy Star houses, we would welcome the opportunity to share more information.
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