EarthCraft
Services
SENCON provides a certification process for single-family and multi-family home projects. It serves as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes that reduces utility bills and protects the environment. An EarthCraft certified house is your assurance of a quality home. EarthCraft is a voluntary green building program that serves as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes that reduces utility bills and protects the environment.
Benefits of an EarthCraft House
Owning an environmentally friendly house doesn't mean making sacrifices. In fact, an EarthCraft House is one of the most highly performing, durable and resource-efficient homes you can buy.
Key benefits include:
- An EarthCraft home offers the benefits of a healthy living environment.
- It integrates a systems approach to building that ensures increased comfort and improved indoor air quality in the home.
- It reassures homebuilders and buyers so they can have the peace of mind knowing that they have done the right thing for the environment.
- Additionally, homeowners benefit by spending less to operate the home, there are fewer repair costs, the living environment is healthier, they use less energy thus helping the environment, and the way the home is designed enhances durability, comfort and tranquility.
Smart homeowners know it is the "cost of ownership" that truly determines the affordability of a home. In an EarthCraft House, the true cost of ownership is apparent with the first month's utility bill.
Don’t Sacrifice the Lifestyle You Want
Any size and type of home can be an EarthCraft house. Builders and home buyers have total freedom in selecting which environmental measures are best suited for the home they are constructing or remodeling.
Earthcraft Certification Scope of Work
The following steps must be taken to ensure Earthcraft Certification.
1. Project Registration
An Earthcraft Technical Advisor receives a single family worksheet with projected points and certification level, Manual J, and construction plans and specifications required to create the energy modeling. Only qualified builders can participate in this program.
2. Pre-Drywall Inspection
The inspection will be conducted after framing and installation of plumbing, electrical, insulation and ductwork, but prior to sheetrocking. The purpose of the Pre-Drywall site visit is to inspect the installation and workmanship of components visible at this stage that are related to energy performance and the energy rating. This visit includes a visual inspection of the site and the building, Items to be inspected are insulation, waterproofing, windows, HVAC systems, framing techniques, rough-ins and general air sealing. One courtesy duct leakage test (duct blaster) and one courtesy smoke pressurization test are available to new Earthcraft builders. A builder representative must be present during this inspection.
3. Supporting Documentation
The builder provides supporting documentation to demonstrate that EarthCraft requirements have been met.
4. Final Inspection and Testing
An Earthcraft Technical Advisor receives a signed copy of the worksheet and a folder with supporting documentation from the builder. A final inspection will take place prior to occupancy but after the project is completed and all mechanical systems are operational. The purpose of the Final Inspection is to verify compliance with all the program requirements and test the overall performance of the finished home. The Final Inspection includes all components related to the Earthcraft certification that were not installed or inspected at the time of the Pre-Drywall Inspection. Performance tests include an air infiltration test of the building envelope (blower door), as well as a test of duct leakage (duct blaster). Builder representative must be present during this inspection.
5. Certification
Upon successful completion of the verification process, the builder will receive an Earthcraft and ENERGY STAR certifications for the house, as well as an ENERGY STAR label to be placed in the house electrical service panel. An ENERGY STAR plaque is optional (additional $100).
Resources/Links
EarthCraft (www.earthcraftvirginia.org)
Contact
For more information on how SENCON can help you build EarthCraft homes, contact Daniel Cwik at (757) 498-0100 or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
activites that will get the family or class building a better tomorrow.