Shelter Alternatives Receives Single Family Project of the Year Award from EarthCraft Virginia
Shelter Alternatives Inc. has been awarded the 2011 EarthCraft Virginia Single Family Project of the Year award for an extensive remodel of a home in downtown Blacksburg. The project was the first certified EarthCraft Renovation project in the region and Shelter Alternatives is proud of this recognition of sustainability leadership from their green building peers across the state. The company was also recognized at the ceremony as the builder of one of Virginia's Top Ten Energy Efficient New Homes certified by Earthcraft in 2011.
Designer Joe Bassett was on hand at the EarthCraft VA Sustainable Leadership Award reception in Glenn Allen, Virginia on March 29th, 2012 to receive the accolades. “As EarthCraft builders, we are proud of our commitment to take responsibility for our actions and our impact on the environment” says Bassett. “We gave our clients the information they sought that allowed them to embrace energy efficiency and sustainability as a means to achieve their goal of a beautiful, comfortable and healthy home. The lower operating costs and lessened environmental impact of EarthCraft certified projects are worth the effort.”
Among more standard energy efficiency measures such as air sealing and insulation improvement, the renovation of this home included elements such as re-use of materials salvaged from the home, refinishing of the bathtub and hardwood floors, utilization of EnergyStar® appliances, use of naturally low-VOC true linoleum flooring, 80% CFL or LED lighting, and installation of two high-efficiency toilets. The Home Energy Rating System score for this house, on a scale where 100 is “as built to code standards today” went from an inefficient 138 to a considerably more sustainable 64.
All EarthCraft projects undergo independent 3rd party inspections that evaluate compliance with program requirements covering all aspects of design, construction, and business operations. Shelter Alternatives, Inc. builds all of its new homes to these Earthcraft standards.
