• THINK GREEN FROM THE START

    If you look at green as something to add later on, it becomes expensive. By incorporating green home building elements in the initial design of your new home, you can include simple ideas that have a lasting impact, low cost and fast payback.

  • GET PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED EARLY

    By purchasing a home with Impresa Modular, you get the benefit of our design services as well as those of an optional green certification agency. Working with a local architect or green design professional canfurther improve the design when site conditions are considered.

  • It's about the star

    An appliance comes with two prices, the price to purchase it and the price to operate it. ENERGY STAR®certification for appliances can help you save money by reducing energy use without giving up performance.

  • DESIGN YOUR HOME TO THE SITE

    It’s easier to design a home to a specific site rather than finding a site for a specific home design. For instance, orienting the home to take advantage of wind and sunlight can reduce your energy costs.

  • KEEP THE "THERMAL ENVELOPE" INTACT

    Start your green home building efforts with an ENERGY STAR® certified builder and design to ensure your home is as energy efficient as possible. Windows, doors, and skylights can all poke holes in your home’s thermal envelope. The fewer holes we have within the design or the better job we do at sealing them, the more energy efficient the home is.

  • KEEP ALL TRADES INVOLVED

    Green home building is a total approach to construction, so your builder and any subcontractors need to know what special features your new home has. For example: If you invest in extra insulation for your walls and ceiling, but your HVAC contractor sizes the heating and cooling units for typical insulation levels, you will have an oversized system that costs you more upfront and uses more energy than necessary.

  • BUY IT ONCE

    Investing in quality materials when you first purchase your home will save money in the long run and reduce waste. For example, it may cost 20% more for 50-year roofing system than a 15-year roof, but since the latter will need to be replaced two or three times, the 50-year system is a worthwhile investment.

  • INVEST IN HIDDEN COMPONENTS FIRST

    If your budget is limited, be sure to invest in those areas that would be difficult to change later. For example, opt for 2×6 exterior walls and better wall insulation to ensure a good thermal envelope rather than getting high-end counter-tops. You can always add better counter-tops later but increasing the insulation of the exterior walls would be much more difficult.

  • STAY NATURAL AND STAY LOCAL

    In general, the more natural a product is, the less harmful chemicals and negative impact on the environment it has. However, this does not mean that all natural products are good and man-made products are bad. If you ship a natural product by three trucks, two boats and a train, you use up more resources than you save.

  • INSULATE, INSULATE, INSULATE

    One of the best investments you can make in your green home building efforts is insulation. It reduces heating and cooling costs, is inexpensive, makes the home comfortable and helps to control moisture and noise.

7 Easy Steps to Get Started
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