McIntyre Builders, Inc. of Rockford, was a gold winner of the 2009 Energy Value Housing Award (EVHA) presented by the NAHB Housing Research Center and sponsored by the US Dept. of Energy in Las Vegas, Nev. on January 19, 2009. The EVHA is the ‘s preeminent energy efficiency award honoring builders who voluntarily incorporate energy efficiency into all aspects of new home construction.
The gold award is the highest award in the judged competition. Their entry, a Green Built Michigan and Energy Star certified home earned the award in the cold climate, custom home category. Built in Grand Rapids, this Prairie style ranch was also recognized by the State of Michigan for its superior energy and green features.
McIntyre Builders, together with the homeowners, designed a home that performs as great as it looks!
A pre-cast foundation system, spray foam insulation, two-stage high efficiency furnace and on-demand water heater are only a few of the high performance features. Bamboo flooring, low VOC paints, soy based concrete stains and more helps make this home environmentally responsible. As with all homes built by McIntyre Builders, an independent audit ensured this home is significantly more efficient than a standard house.
To marry aesthetically pleasing design with energy efficiency, McIntyre Builders installed two rain gardens adjacent to the home’s patio. These create not only a relaxing location for the homeowners to rest, but also a habitat for native birds and animals. The tranquility is further enhanced by the mature trees that were maintained during construction to buffer the yard from the surrounding homes.
Announcing the award, Tom Kenney, vice president of engineering and research for the NAHB Research Center, agreed with the EVHA judges, who were impressed with McIntyre Builders’ ability to integrate best practices while continuing to improve home performance. “McIntyre Builders has a whole-house approach to energy efficiency, and they help their customers understand how many individual elements work together to impact a home’s performance.”
Now in its 14th year, the EVHA is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America program, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in addition to the NAHB Research Center. The EVHA challenges builders to elevate standards for energy-efficient construction, provides educational opportunities for home builders, and fosters the adoption of energy efficiency principles.
McIntyre Builders, Inc. has been building energy efficient and sustainable homes in West Michigan for over 20 years. The 2009 EVHA award is the most recent of many prestigious awards the company has earned. For more information, please visit www.mcintyrehomes.com
Golden Honor – Arn McIntyre (center) of McIntyre Builders, Rockford receiving the National Energy Value Housing Award in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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