Design Homes

Let's face it---the earth is not a place with limitless resources and no tolerances. There comes a time when we all have to face the fact that unless WE, ourselves, DO something about our excesses, the earth will send us the way of the dinosaurs. Design Homes has decided to address every facet of our company and products in an effort to do our part to minimize waste, improve efficiencies, offer environmentally "friendly" homes and generally GO GREEN!

"A division of Design homes builds the most efficient way to make electricity from the sun as our tracking solar panels generate more then 40 percent more than fixed panels"

If building a home that conserves the earth's precious resources is important to you, you can choose Design Homes with confidence. Design Homes "Build Green Initiative" takes advantage of the inherent benefits of factory-built efficiencies, and expands this with smart product choices and recycling efforts. When compared to most homes built on site, Design Homes is THE Green choice.

Ö Every home includes our Energy Efficiency Package that features R-50 ceiling insulation, R-25 wall insulation, an A.O. Smith high-efficiency water heater, and a Lennox high-efficiency furnace. Combined with Low-E glass windows, this translates to much lower heating and cooling bills (Loft and Cape Cod ceiling insulation by others, vaulted ceilings R-40).

Ö Since most of the house is completed at the factory, we have a much lower impact on the ecosystem at the job site. By contrast, site built homes will disturb the lot and surrounding area for an average of 180 days.

Ö Factory-built means that material is used efficiently and not wasted.

o 2x4 scraps are used as floor joist cross bracing.

o Wood wall sheathing cutouts around windows are used as air baffling.

o Drywall cutouts are used to strengthen other drywall areas.

o Lumber cut-offs & pieces may be used in the next house in production.

Ö FACT: 40% of the volume of residential job site waste that ends up in landfills is due to cardboard.

o Design Homes recycles 100% of the cardboard at the factory.

Ö Design Homes recycling efforts are comprehensive and expanding. Below is a list of materials recycled 100% at the factory:

o Aluminum Fascia/Soffit

o Copper Wiring

o Carpet Pad

o Vinyl Siding

o Cardboard

o Plastic (shipping wrappers, etc.)

Ö Product selection is an important component of building a Green house. Below are some product choices we have made with conservation in mind:

o The 5/8” ceiling drywall we have selected uses 100% recycled material.

o Dual-flush toilets will soon be standard in every Design Home.

o Every home comes standard with a Whirlpool Energy Star rated Dishwasher. The complete line of Energy Star Appliances are available from Whirlpool and Kitchenaid.

o Our cellulose ceiling insulation is made from 85% recycled newspapers or cardboard

o The paint and vapor barrier is supplied by a Wisconsin based company, Hallman/Lindsay. This product contains low V.O.C. and has no Crystalline Silica. Choosing local companies reduces transportation of the products to our factories.

Ö In addition to our Build Green initiative, Design Homes offers optional items that can further enhance your homes performance.

ZO-E windows from Peachtree/Weathershield
ClimateMaster Geo-thermal heating/cooling systems now available---only $7,400 (plus the outside excavation work & hookups)
Now with a 30% Federal Tax Credit!
R-60 ceiling insulation
Low SONES fans in the bathrooms
Drops for air to air exchangers

We encourage our customers to recycle at the jobsite to further reduce the stress on the environment. Design Homes is constantly looking for ways we can produce a healthier home that has lower energy requirements. A division of our company, DH Satellite, has developed solar panel tracking equipment that we hope will be a practical option down the road for Design Homes customers.

Visit our Solar division at dhsolar.net