Extreme Green Rehabilitation

What Does “Green” Mean?

Common sense solutions.  Cutting edge technologies.
We hear the word “green” frequently these days, and it means something a little different to everyone.  At Builders of Hope green means we make old new again, and make the new better.  We believe the resources already exist to build housing that is affordable and healthy, that revitalizes neighborhoods and builds economic security for hardworking families and their communities.

We’ve created a model that captures our philosophy and goals, Extreme Green Rehabilitation, and it has set a new industry standard for green rehabilitation.  Extreme Green Rehabilitation is a patent-pending construction program that guides the rehabilitation process through home assessment, site selection, relocation, construction debris management, reconstruction with green building practices and materials and landscaping. The rehabilitation results in energy efficient homes with superior indoor air quality.

At least 65 percent of a house is either reused or salvaged. Parts of the home including the shell, the roof, the flooring, and doors can usually be recycled. All of these materials represent embodied energy and carry a carbon cost, so the more that can be salvaged, the greater the carbon savings.

Although new materials are necessary to complete the rehabilitation, Builders of Hope uses non-toxic, energy efficient, and low-flow products. The impact – lower utility bills from energy and water savings, better indoor air quality, and better, healthier home ownership opportunities for families earning at or below 80% of the average median income.

The homes have improved air circulation and quality, through indoor-outdoor air exchange, ceiling fans, tile and wood flooring (rather than carpet that holds and releases toxic residues) and non-toxic glues and paints.

 Key Green Features:

  • Recycling existing homes and useable materials, with an average of 65% of the structures reused.
  • Develop infill locations when possible
  • Sustainable building practices and material
  • Passive solar orientation
  • Spray Foam insulation
  • Exterior Ventilation
  • Flourescent Lighting
  • Low-E windows
  • Low-flow plumbing fixtures
  • Energy Star appliances and water heater
  • Low VOC materials and sealants
  • Upgraded air sealing, insulation and HVAC
  • Large Front Porches to reduce heating/cooling bills
  • Rain barrels and drought tolerant landscaping

Builders of Hope is committed to building the healthiest and most affordable homes possible for the families and individuals we serve. Therefore our construction team stays abreast of the rapid improvements in the green building industry and adds those improvements to our process when the benefits are clear and measurable, and economical. To ensure that each family living in a Builders of Hope home receives the maximum benefit of their green components, we also offer an education program about their home’s features and how to maintain them.