R-Anell’s Environmentally Friendly Features The following lists of items are “Green Friendly” and are offered as standard in R-Anell homes: Water Conservation

1. Kitchen faucets are fitted with aerators that limit water flow to 2.2 gallons per minute. Managing the amount of water flowing through the kitchen faucet is an important step in conserving water.

2. All bathroom faucets are fitted with aerators that limit water flow to 2.0 gallons per minute. Managing water usage in the bathrooms is every bit as integral to water conservation as it is in the kitchen.

3. All showerheads are rated with a maximum of 2.25 gallons per minute stream or less. These showerheads reduce the amount of water used in a shower and help to conserve water use in your home.

4. The standard dishwasher is Energy Star certified. This shows compliance to a nationally recognized energy efficiency standard and helps you save money.

Building Envelope including Doors & Windows

1. Efficient framing methods which include: 2 stud corners at wall intersections, insulated framing corners, single nailers at “T” wall intersections, insulated “T” wall intersections and single top plates for all exterior and interior walls. These methods conserve the amount of forest used and increases the percentage of fully insulated wall space.

2. 2x6 exterior walls with R-19 insulation (R-19 is optional in Gold Medal & Legends Series) 3. Low “E” windows are installed with a U value of .40 or less. Windows that have a U value

of .40 or less are more energy efficient. 4. R-Anell’s standard 6 panel exterior doors are a minimum of R-5 insulated. 5. Moss windows qualify for a 10 year warranty program. A 10 year warranty shows that

the manufacturer stands behind the sustainability of their product. Comfort Systems

1. All ductwork (when installed) is sized, designed and installed per the latest ANSI/ACCA Manual D. These methods ensure the ducts are designed for proper air flow

2. Thermal envelope requirements are determined by the ANSI/ACCA Manual J or the US Department of Energy RESCHECK program. Building to these requirements guarantee the thermal envelope is designed to meet or exceed the requirements for the area you live in.

3. No building cavity is used as part of the forced-air distribution system. It has been determined that it is virtually impossible to properly seal building cavities to prevent energy loss.

4. No ductwork (when installed) is placed in the exterior walls or vaulted ceilings. This

avoids ducts being installed in locations that increase the risk of condensation and heat loss.

5. All Ductwork (when installed) joints and connections are sealed with mastic. This increases the stability and longevity of duct joints and connections.

Appliances & Lighting

1. Bath exhaust fans are measured at a minimum of 50cfm. This decreases the amount of moisture that can lead to mold development and growth.

2. When boots and registers are installed in the plant they are covered to prevent collection of any dirt and debris until manufacturing process is completed. This is to assure the air distribution system is not a source of indoor air contaminates.

3. The standard 18cf refrigerator is Energy Star compliant. This shows compliance to a nationally recognized energy efficiency standard and helps you save money.

4. Our recessed can light fixtures are properly sealed. This prevents air infiltration from unconditioned attic areas into your home.

Construction Material Usage and Waste Control

1. Numerous products are manufactured within 50 miles of our manufacturing facility. It is important to use locally manufactured products thus reducing energy consumption in the delivery process.

2. Our production process uses a centralized, organized cutting area. This maximizes the opportunity to fully utilize lumber, reduce waste and save you money.

3. Production uses a framing plan and cutting lists provided by Engineering. This maximizes the efficient use of framing materials.

Exterior / Structural System Materials

1. R-Anell utilizes floor trusses instead of large dimensional lumber. Avoiding the use of large dimensional lumber is an important part of sustainable harvesting practices.

2. We install window and door flashings as recommended by the window and door manufacturers. The flashing minimizes water intrusion at each of these locations.

3. A metal drip edge is provided at the roof edge. The drip edge minimizes moisture problems associated with water intrusion.

4. Covered entryways (porches) are provided on various designs. This reduces problems associated with water intrusion.

5. All of our insulation contains a large percentage of recycled content. 6. All insulation used is formaldehyde free. This increases the indoor air quality. 7. All structural beams are steel, engineered wood or trusses. These construction methods

meet sustainable harvesting practice guidelines. 8. All OSB flooring and exterior sheathing is Georgia Pacific Blue Ribbon which is a low

formaldehyde product. This also increases indoor air quality.

Interior Materials

1. R-Anell’s interior trim is MDF (recycled content). 2. R-Anell’s gypsum wallboard utilizes a percentage of recycled or recovered content.

R-Anell’s Environmentally Friendly Options

The following lists of items are “Green Friendly” and are offered as options in R-Anell homes: Water Conservation

1. All optional dishwasher models offered are Energy Star certified. All dishwasher models comply with the nationally recognized standard for energy efficiency.

Building Envelope including Doors & Windows

1. Polar Wall vinyl siding is offered. This adds R-3.5 to the R-19 insulation installed in the wall.

2. Hardi exterior siding, soffit & fascia. Fiber cement is durable and utilizes a large percentage of recovered or recycled content.

3. Optional 9/12 and 12/12 trusses have raised heels which provide insulation over top plates of exterior walls. This increases the amount of insulation to a minimum of 6” above the sidewall top plate.

4. Tech-Shield roof sheathing. This is a ceiling radiant heat barrier that captures heat loss from the ceiling and contains it in the attic.

5. Optional upgrade to R-19 in Gold Medal & Legends Series. 6. R-38 roof insulation is offered. The upgraded insulation in the roof increases energy

efficiency. Appliances & Lighting

1. All optional upgraded appliances are Energy Star compliant. All upgrade appliances meet a nationally recognized energy efficiency standard.

2. High Efficient Tankless water heaters are offered in both gas and electric. 3. Optional motion sensor for exterior flood lights. This will decrease electricity usage. 4. Optional Carbon Monoxide detector. 5. Radon/soil gas vent system installed. 6. Exhaust the kitchen range to the exterior of the home. This reduces indoor air pollutants.

Interior Finishes

1. R-Anell offers a number of “Green Friendly” countertop products, including: Granite, Ceramic, Quartz, Hanex and Cultured Marble countertops

Builder Environmentally Friendly Opportunities General

1. It is recommended that the builder become an Energy Star partner. This is a basic requirement for some certification programs such as NC Healthy Built Homes.

2. Enroll in the NC Healthy Built Homes program. More information can be obtained through their website, www.healthybuilthomes.org.

Site Opportunities

1. Trees and natural features on site protected during construction (minimum 25% of development or lot). This is intended to protect existing trees and other vegetation so it will flourish after construction is completed.

2. Tree planting (minimum of 12 trees per acre). This is to increase the amount of trees on developed land.

3. Grind stumps and limbs for mulch. This reuses debris that would otherwise be removed from the site and dumped in a landfill.

Water Opportunities

1. Permeable materials used for driveways. These materials allow water infiltration through surfaces that would normally not absorb water, thus eliminating run-off.

2. Permeable materials used for 50% of walkways and patios. These materials allow water infiltration through surfaces that would normally not absorb water, thus eliminating run-off.

Building Envelope

1. Sealed crawl space per NC Building Code. Creates a dry, sealed and insulated crawl space which will eliminate any moisture related issues under the home.

2. Insulate floor over unconditioned crawl space with R-21 in zones 6-7 or R-25 in zones 8-9 & 11. If a sealed crawl space is not utilized, this will increase the thermal barrier between the conditioned and unconditioned space.

3. Attic kneewall stud cavities (9/12 & 12/12) insulated with R-13 with an R-2.5 sheathing towards the attic used as an air barrier. This will properly insulate and air seal the vertical kneewalls in the attic space between the conditioned and unconditioned spaces.

4. Insulate hot water lines to R-4 in unconditioned spaces. 5. Duct system shall be sized, designed and installed in accordance with the latest

ANSI/ACCA Manual D. The site HVAC contractor would be responsible and shall provide this to the builder.

6. Airflow is measured and balanced using ANSI/ACCA Manual J. The site HVAC contractor would be responsible and shall provide this to the builder.

7. Ducts outside of the conditioned space insulated to a minimum of R-8 (supply) or R-4 (return).

8. A programmable thermostat is installed. This provides programmable controls that maximize the systems potential for comfort control and by adjusting the temperature to more efficient levels during off peak usage hours.

9. SEER 14 or higher cooling equipment is installed. The minimum SEER (seasonal energy

efficiency ratio) rating for cooling equipment manufactured to day is 13. This exceeds the minimum efficiency level required by the building codes.

10. HSPF 8.5 or higher heat pump is installed. The building code requires that the heat pump be rated at a minimum HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor) of 7.7. The 8.5 would exceed the minimum required by code.

11. The air handler is located within the conditioned space. This increases access for maintenance and service.

12. The cooling equipment has non-HCFC refrigerant. CFC and HCFC refrigerants (marketed by DuPont as Freon) deplete stratospheric ozone. HFC refrigerants have been developed as environmentally friendly.

13. Use compact fluorescents in all or most of the light fixtures. These bulbs typically use 3-4 times less of the amount of electricity than conventional light bulbs.

14. Utilize a solar hot water system. This can cut the total water heating bill by as much as 80%.

Indoor Air Quality

1. Detached garage in lieu of attached garage. This minimizes the potential for air pollutants associated with garages and storage areas from entering the conditioned living space.

2. Filters rated MERV 9 (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) or greater installed on forced air systems. This provides higher efficiency air filtration.

3. Radon test of home prior to occupancy. This provides vertical ventilation from the crawl space through the roof of the home for radon gas to escape and not infiltrate the conditioned living space.

4. Install a whole house HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. This provides a very high efficiency air filter that improves indoor air quality.

5. Use low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) stains and paints on interior surfaces. These types of paints and stain minimize off-gassing of pollutants associated with poor air quality.

Materials Opportunities

1. Prohibit burying construction waste on site. All waste should be eliminated through a recycling program or a controlled landfill.

2. Install a continuous foundation termite flashing. This provides a non-toxic insect barrier. 3. Install natural fiber carpet made with natural latex backing rather than SB latex backing.

Natural fiber carpet is made from 100% materials such as wool, jute & hemp. This utilizes natural finish materials that are rapidly renewable. Carpets made with an SB (styrene butadiene) backing are not low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound).

4. Install natural linoleum in place of any vinyl sheet flooring or vinyl composition tile, with low toxic adhesives or backing. Natural linoleum is composed of jute, linseed oil & wood flour – generally rapidly renewable products.

5. Install 3rd party certified sustainably harvested wood flooring. This is flooring that meets sustainable harvesting practice guidelines.