Bredian Homes, Inc.

2008 Title 24 Codes will be incorporated into new homes submitted as of January 1, 2010.

We have been involved personally in energy efficiency from the early California Tax credit based initiatives to current solutions.  Green building involves conservation of energy and materials as well as indoor air quality issues.  These are daily evolving concepts.

PRODUCTS WE ARE CURRENTLY INCLUDING

• Environmentally friendly finishes throughout the home.
• Laminated structural products
• Low E2 glass
• High SEER and High efficiency HVAC systems, coupled to low temp exhaust systems
  
• High efficiency hot water heater systems, including tankless, recirc systems with  thermostatic, demand and timer systems, coupled to low temp exhaust systems
  
• Low flow water delivery systems
• Reflective sheathing roofing
• High R value siding systems
  
• Composite construction of doors and trim products
• motion light switching

OPTIONAL PRODUCTS (We have experience with, but are not included in all homes we build, after all, we build custom)

• reclaimed wood siding
• solar voltaic roofing systems
• hydronic floor heating, coupled with solar recovery heating
• whole house water filter systems
• low impact flooring products
• ICF wall systems (near zero waste forming with R-30+ results)

SMUD "HOME OF THE FUTURE"

We recently had the privilege of touring RJ Walters Homes' and SMUD's Home of the Future.  It may be one of the greenest homes currently built in the US.  In our humble opinion, for the most part, the technologies and products used appear practical and affordable for use in new home construction today.

Check out their sites for more information:

RJWalters site

SMUD site

COMING SOON

In the Sacramento region, SMUD is the primary electric utility supplier, including eastern Yolo, south Placer, and western El Dorado counties.  While we as customers and utility consumers have benefited from their ability to maintain our low rates; however, in the near future, they will have to consider annual increases over several years in order to absorb increasing world wide demand on the resources they use to produce our electricity.  Additionally, some utilities are considering rates based on peak demand times, in other words, higher rates for the hottest part of the day, etc.  In our region, new systems are being developed that are most efficient during that time.  Look for higher "EER" ratings, not currently considered in CEC or LEED rating systems.

Homes use 36.5% of the electricity in the US.  Solar systems can now be installed in new homes for prices close to the price of the "hybred" option on a Prius.

ITEMS UNDER STUDY

http://www.davisenergy.com/technologies/index.php

One of the largest impacts on energy consumption I am seeing that is not being addressed is the rapidly increasing use of "personal appliances" in homes and offices.  Yes I'm talking about large televisions, computers, pumps on pools, spas and fountains that run daily and generate significant heat.  These items can easily push a home energy bill from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 monthly.

ENERGY

Jeff supervised the construction and design of a PG&E California Comfort Home in the El Dorado foothills.  The home, exposed on a ridge overlooking Lake Folsom, included thermal break windows with Low E glass, some tinted, 90% furnaces, high Seer air conditioning, fully wrapped with house wrap.  While the house wrap did not obtain any official energy credits, it contributed to the low $130 peak energy bills those first summers in this 3,200 square foot home.

Most of those carefully balanced items are the standards included in all our homes the past few years as well as thermal shield roof sheeting, tankless water heaters.  Windows have been upgraded to Low E squared coatings.

Technologies we also have experience include hydronic heated floors, solar, electronic lighting controls, ICF building blocks. . . .

Most recently, solar panels for electrical generation are becomming available for individual homes for a reasonable cost.  Stay tuned.

GREEN

Where do we start?

Conservation vs Environmental

All waste materials are sorted and recycled.

Treated lumber products have changed to become more environmentally friendly.

We use laminated structuaral products for most large beams, conserving old growth timber.

Since 2005, 100% of our cabinets have been finished in a factory setting, containing airborne pollution in filters, significantly reducing out gassing and the impact on air quality both in general and inside the finished home.

One of our major cabinet suppliers has been certified as a green manufacturer.

Since 2005, all of our wall and trim finishes are waterborne. also reducing impact on air quality.

We have used some pretty spectacular whole house water filters when approved by homeowners as well as electronic air cleaners.

GREEN ITEMS USED IN HOMES 

ICFs, roof trusses, laminated beams and lumber products, recycled concrete, latex paint, bamboo flooring....

GREENWASHING

Recently reading on the topic, it is now popular, if not required to identify your product as "green" when it really hasn't changed much.  Researching well known green builders in the bay area, I compared step by step each feature they offer vs items that have been standard in our homes for several years. With the exception of solar energy and floor coverings those builders offer as options (as we can) our homes were almost the same. So where can we go from here.....lets talk!