Gary Cutler Builders - Green Builders Building Green
With rising energy costs and
consumer demand peaking an all time high, our Earth and its natural
resources are strained now more than ever before; so
Gary Cutler Builders has started
"building green", making Gary Cutler Builders one of the first
Green Builders in the Greenville NC area. On this page, you will discover
the many
ways we are doing our part to: reduce the lifetime operating costs
of our new homes, help our customers conserve water and energy, improve
our resource efficiency, and provide our customers with a healthier,
more environmentally friendly place to live.
Learn About Green
Building.
Explore the ways Gary Cutler Builders is
going Green:
Resource Efficiency
Energy Efficiency
Water Efficiency
Indoor Environmental Air Quality
Resource
Efficiency:
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Construction Recycling
In an effort to minimize our construction waste, whenever
Gary Cutler Builders completes a new home and
has leftover materials, instead of throwing
them away, we reuse our leftover building materials where we can on new
homes we start.
Construction Footprint
Building a home can take its toll on the environment.
Therefore, its important that we impact it the least throughout every
phase of the construction process. We make an effort to keep a
clean and tidy work space at every job, frequently picking up trash so
that we impact the environment in a positive way.
Recycled Flooring
Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
OSB is used as the exterior and roof sheathing for the home.
OSB is produced from the wood of smaller, faster growing trees instead
of larger, slower growing trees. OSB helps us make better use of
our natural resources.
Energy Efficiency:
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AndersenÒ
Low E Windows
AndersenÒ
Windows with High Performance™ Low E glass can help reduce energy bills in the summer and winter. The Low E glass in AndersenÒ
Windows also
works
like sun block to help protect your home and furniture from ultraviolet
(UV) light. Ordinary dual-pane glass lets 62% of UV light pass through.
The High-Performance™ Low-E glass cuts that down to 17% with virtually
no effect on the clarity and color of the light.
With Low-E glass, if your thermostat is set at 70°, the temperature of
the innermost glass pane won't drop below 57° even if it's 0° outside.
In warm climates, Low-E glass works just as hard to keep your home cool.
AndersenÒ
Windows also help insulate your room as well or better than the walls
that surround them.*
*This was based on a study of two
identical homes comparing Low-E glass to dual-pane insulating glass.
Actual savings may vary by geographic region. The information
above was collected from the Andersen Windows website and is thought to
be conservative and accurate numbers within the industry.
The information above was also discussed and confirmed with an Energy
Specialist within the Greenville Utilities E-300 Energy Efficient
Program.
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Compact Fluorescent light bulbs use about 75% less energy than the
standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. By
using Compact Fluorescent light bulbs, we can help our clients save
about $60 to $75 per bulb in electricity costs over each bulb's
lifetime. Also, Compact Fluorescent light bulbs produce about 75%
less heat, so they're safer to operate and can help cut energy costs
associated with cooling the home.*
*The information above was
collected from the Energy Star Energy Efficient website and is thought
to be accurate information. The information above was also
discussed and confirmed with an Energy Specialist within the Greenville
Utilities E-300 Energy Efficient Program.
Energy Star Appliances
Energy Star Appliances are 10% to 25% more efficient than standard
models therefore using less energy.* By using Energy Star
Appliances, we can reduce the energy consumption in our new homes.
*The information above was
collected from a publication from the Department of Energy. The
information was discussed and confirmed with an Energy Specialist within
the Greenville Utilities E-300 Energy Efficient Program.
Geothermal HVAC Systems
Heating and Cooling Systems use more energy and drain more energy
dollars than any other system in your home, which accounts for about 60%
of your utility bill here in the Greenville NC area.* Also,
heating and cooling systems
in the United States together emit over a half billion tons of carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere each year, adding to global warming which is
why Gary Cutler Builders has started using Geothermal HVAC Systems.
Geothermal Systems are the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean,
and cost-effective HVAC system available, according to the Environmental
Protection Agency.** The Agency also suggests that homeowners can
save anywhere from 30-70% on their heating costs and 20-50% in cooling
costs when compared to a conventional system.**
By using Geothermal HVAC
Systems in our new homes, we have the possibility to helping you save money and
reducing your home's contribution to global environmental problems.
*The information was discussed
and confirmed with an Energy Specialist within the Greenville Utilities
E-300 Energy Efficient Program. **GeoExchange Website
Greenville Utilities E-300 Energy Efficient Program
Gary Cutler Builders has recently started working with
Greenville
Utilities E-300 Energy Efficient Program. This program sets the
pace for energy efficient construction in the Greenville, NC
area. A structure built to
E-300 standards will use up to 40% less
energy than one built to minimum code requirements. The homes
within the
E-300 program are designed from "the ground up" to be energy
efficient, affordable, clean, quiet, durable and environmentally sound.*
For more information about the
E-300 Energy Efficient Program, click
here.
* The information above was
collected from the Greenville Utilities E-300 Energy Efficient Brochure
and was also discussed and confirmed with an Energy Specialist within
the program.
High Performance Foam
Sheathing (HPFS)
The use of HPFS has become an indispensable ingredient in
energy-efficient wall construction. HPFS is half-inch thick foam
that is faced with foil laminated material on both sides. There
are two primary advantages in using HPFS on exterior walls. First,
it provides a greater R-Value to the wall cavity helping keep
your home better insulated and sealed, preventing heat and air loss. The second,
less obvious advantage to using HPFS is that it keeps your wood within
your wall cavity dry and can reduce the
risk of moisture problems. Gary Cutler Builders is one of the few
home builders in the Greenville NC area using this energy star product.
Insulation
You can't be green without being energy efficient and insulation is
an important piece of the puzzle. Most of our homes are built with
2 x 6 walls. This gives us the ability to fill our wall cavities
with thicker insulation, helping keep our homes better insulated.
ThermostatÒ Radiant Barrier
Roof Sheathing
ThermostatÒ
Radiant Barrier Roof Sheathing is a Rated Sheathing plywood panel with an
aluminum foil/kraft paper laminate layer. The radiant barrier foil
surface is designed to work like a mirror to reflect the heat received
from the sunlight, therefore reducing the radiant heat transferred into
the attic and living space. Studies have shown that up to 97% of
the radiant heat can be reflected, only allowing 3% of the radiant heat
to be transmitted. By using this energy star product on our new homes,
Gary Cutler Builders hopes to decrease energy consumption by lowering
attic temperatures, allowing the cooling system of the home to work more
effectively.*
*The information above was collected from the product
suppliers website-Georgia Pacific. NOTE: There are currently
no studies conducted in the North Carolina region to calculate the
effectiveness of this product AND savings may change geographically. The information was also
discussed with an Energy Specialist within the Greenville Utilities
E-300 Energy Efficient Program.
Power Cost Monitor
In an effort to raise energy awareness and reduce our customers
energy waste in our new homes,
Gary Cutler Builders has started using
a new, innovative product called the Power Cost Monitor. The Power
Costs Monitor breaks down how much power you're using in dollars and
cents. A Power Cost Monitor is about the size of a handheld
calculator and can be placed at any convenient location within the home.
By using Power Cost Monitors in our new homes, we can help our customers
save money and electricity by being more energy conscious with the
electric power they use and need. It also helps our customers find
out what their spending on electricity before the electric bill comes in
the mail.*
*The information above
was collected from the Power Cost Monitor product information website.
Programmable Thermostats
If properly used, Programmable Thermostats have the potential to
help you conserve energy. By using Programmable Thermostats in our
homes, we have the ability to help our customers better control the air
space in their home.
*The information above was
collected from a publication from the Department of Energy. The
information was also discussed and confirmed with an Energy Specialist
within the Greenville Utilities E-300 Energy Efficient Program.
Sealed and Conditioned Crawl Spaces
Most builders within the Greenville, NC area build their homes on
wall-vented crawl space foundations, making Gary Cutler Builders one of
the few builders in the Greenville NC area to build homes on Sealed/Closed Crawl Spaces. Based upon a
4 year study recently conducted by Advanced
Energy, comparing wall-vented crawl spaces to closed crawl spaces, the
study showed that wall-vented crawl spaces had a variety of moisture
problems.* The study also revealed that homes with sealed crawl
spaces used on average, 15-18% less in heating and cooling costs than
homes on wall-vented crawl spaces.* Gary Cutler Builders also
"Conditions" its Sealed Crawl Spaces which provides the sealed space
with air flow helping keep the temperature in the space moderately close
to the temperature in the home. Our Sealed and Conditioned Spaces
are proven to be the best way to eliminate floor joist rot,
termites, mold/mildew problems (which lead to mold and mildew problems
in the home); duct sweating, and squeaky floors.* It also helps us provide our clients with a healthier, cleaner, and more
environmentally sound place to live.
*The study was collected from AdvancedEnergy.com **The information above was
collected from the Greenville Utilities E-300 Energy Efficient Program
"Specifications and Recommendations" publication. The information
was also discussed and confirmed with an Energy Specialist within the
Greenville Utilities E-300 Energy Efficient Program.
Water Efficiency:
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Drought-Tolerant Plants
By using drought-tolerant native plants, such as centipede grass, we
can help reduce irrigation demand.
Dual Flush Toilets
Dual Flush toilets come with two flush options: The first uses
anywhere from 0.8 to 1 gallons of water per flush, and the second uses
1.6 per flush. This helps you conserve water without compromising
on flush power. This can also reduce water usage by up to 67
percent compared with the traditional toilet, which uses about 3 gallons
in a single flush.*
*This information was collected from "The Green Book".
Faucets with Aerators
Gutters and French Drains
Controlling stormwater runoff is a big issue regarding water
efficiency. By incorporating Gutters and French Drains on our new
homes, we can control the stormwater, keeping it away from the
foundation of the home. This also helps reduce large areas of
moisture from pooling around the foundation of the home; reducing the
risk of mold and mildew.
Irrigation Systems with Private Wells
By installing our irrigation systems with private wells, this
reduces the strain put on local water providers and also helps to reduce
the overall water bill of the home.
Low Volume Toilets
It is a known fact that consumers use about 1500 gallons of water
per year.* Most of the toilets currently on the market place
relatively use about 1.6 gallons when flushing. Pressure Lite
Technology Toilets use about 1.1 to 1.5 gallons when flushing and can
save anywhere from 2,000-5,000 gallons of water per toilet, per year.**
By using these toilets in our new homes, we can help our clients
conserve water and reduce the strain put on our Earth's natural
resources.
*The information above was
discussed and confirmed with an Energy Specialist within the Greenville
Utilities E-300 Energy Efficient Program. **The information above
was collected from a representative referencing a product supplier book
at Ferguson.
Programmable Irrigation Systems
By using Programmable Irrigation Systems, we can help the homeowner
save water by controlling when the water is run and even reduce cycle
times, allowing the landscape to be watered only when it is needed.
Tankless (on demand) Water Heaters
In the Greenville NC area, 20% of your utility bill goes to heating
water.* Most homes currently have Storage Tank Water Heaters which
constantly heat the water within the tank whether or not you use the hot
water. So even when you're sleeping and not using the hot water,
you're wasting energy dollars. Tankless Water Heaters do the exact
opposite; they only provide hot water when it is needed and don't
produce the standby energy losses associated with Storage Tank Water
Heaters, which can save you money.**
* The information was discussed
and confirmed with an Energy Specialist within the Greenville Utilities
E-300 Energy Efficient Program. **The information above was
collected from the Rinnai Tankless Water Heater website AND collected
from a publication from the Department of Energy. NOTE:
Studies have shown that not everyone receives savings from using a
Tankless Water Heater product. Energy Savings from using Tankless
Water Heaters are based on consumer usage. Although Tankless Water
Heaters work differently than Storage Tank Water Heaters, wise hot water
conservation on the consumers part must still be practiced by all those
living in the home.
Indoor
Environmental Quality:
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Low VOC Paints
Indoor air is 3 times more polluted than outdoor air, and according
to the EPA, is considered to be one of the top 5 hazards to human
health.* VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. VOC's
are emitted gases that are found in certain solids and liquids,
including paints, which include a variety of chemicals, some which may
have short and long term adverse health effects on inhabitants that
breathe the chemicals.* Adverse health effects include eye, nose,
and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage
to liver, kidney, and central nervous system.* A study conducted
by the EPA found that levels of several VOC's average 2 to 5 times
higher indoors than outdoors.* By using Low VOC paints within our
new homes, we can reduce the risks associated with VOC's and improve the
indoor environmental quality of the home.
*The information above was
collected from a document on the Environmental Protection Agency's
website.
Sealed and Conditioned Crawl Spaces
Sealed and Conditioned Crawl Spaces are not only a great energy
efficient feature to the home but also provide a more healthier living
environment for the inhabitants in the home. Its proven that
Sealed and Conditioned Crawl Spaces reduce moisture in crawl space,
therefore reducing the risk of mold and mildew from growing in the home.
This helps provide the homeowner with a more environmentally friendly
place to live.
*The study was collected from AdvancedEnergy.com **The information above was
collected from the Greenville Utilities E-300 Energy Efficient Program
"Specifications and Recommendations" publication. The information
was also discussed and confirmed with an Energy Specialist within the
Greenville Utilities E-300 Energy Efficient Program.
Top-Vent Sealed Combustion Fireplaces
We use the best and safest fireplace you can use in a home - Sealed
Combustion Fireplaces. These type of fireplaces are sealed, which
prevents air in the fireplace from mixing with air in the home. By
keeping pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, out of the air you breathe
in the home; our homes will be a safer, more enjoyable place to live.
We also top-vent our fireplaces which helps protect the architectural
integrity of the exterior of the home; keeping vent pipes off the wall
and on the roof where they belong.
Note: All Green
Building and Energy Efficient features listed above may or may not be
currently used in
Gary Cutler Builders new homes currently for sale.
To find out which of these Green Building and Energy Efficient features
are being used in current new homes for sale, please dial 252-714-9069
to speak with Gary Cutler of
Gary Cutler Builders or just
simply click here to contact us!
By changing the way we build
homes, our children will have a more safe and healthy environment to
enjoy; both inside and out, in the decades to come. If you have
interest in speaking with Gary Cutler Builders about incorporating
"Green Building" features into your new or custom home, then dial 252-714-9069 to
speak with Gary Cutler of Gary Cutler Builders or just
simply click here to contact us!
Gary Cutler Builders is the premier New Home &
Custom Home
Builder for the
Greenville NC area and specialize in building New Homes and
Custom Homes
of any size and price range; from Mid-Range homes to High-End Luxury
Homes throughout the Greenville, Pitt County and Washington, Beaufort
County areas.
Gary Cutler Builders holds an Unlimited Building License in the State of North Carolina and
has more building
experience than most home builders in the Greenville NC marketplace. If
you are looking for a new home builder or
custom
home builder and would like to get started on your
custom home today, then dial
252-714-9069 to speak with Gary Cutler of Gary Cutler Builders or
simply click here to contact us!
Green Builders Links of Interest:
www.guc.com
The Information on this page is
Guaranteed but not Reliable. Talk with the builder directly for
updated information.
