How green are the homes in Vista Largo Reserve?
Many builders and developers in the construction industry say they build green homes. But, when you look closer, they have often used green construction practices in only small or incomplete ways. Sustainable building begins during the design phase and continues through numerous construction practices and techniques. To get the full benefits for the homeowner and the planet, green construction requires a builder with a true commitment to sustainable practices throughout the building of the home.
At Vista Largo Reserve, homes will be certified by a third-party to determine energy efficiency and rated using the ENERGY STAR® Rating System. The resulting HERS Index score allows the owner to see how effective the energy-saving features of the home actually perform in the final product.
A Vista Largo Reserve home means attention is paid to everything from energy conservation for the life of the home to reducing and recycling building waste during construction. It emphasizes finishes and materials that are both created from renewable sources and are low-toxic to help ensure fewer chemicals in the indoor air. Sustainability means these homes are super-insulated and have few air leaks, so heating and cooling processes are efficient and use fewer resources. Sustainability is a concern throughout the design and building of the home, and the benefits are apparent to the homeowner every day they live in their Vista Largo Reserve home.
Are Vista Largo Reserve Homes rated by ENERGY STAR?
Yes, all Vista Largo Homes are ENERGY STAR homes. ENERGY STAR is a national certification program used for rating the energy usage of the home. ENERGY STAR is a federal certification program. The home is analyzed with the Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) Index, a value of 0 to over 100, to rate the home’s energy usage versus a model “standard home” of the same size and subject to the same climate as the home being rated. A HERS Index score of 100 means that the home being rated should use the same energy as a home built to the minimum code requirements.A HERS Index score of 0 means the home is a "net zero energy" home, the ultimate in energy efficiency. All new homes will be within the range of 0 to 100 with the lower the score the better. Existing homes, which likely don’t meet current code requirements, usually have a HERS Index score of over 100. To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Using these guidelines, typical ENERGY STAR homes are 15% to 30% more efficient than standard homes. Vista Largo Reserve homes usually substantially surpasses these guidelines, achieving an efficiency of 50% better than standard homes.
To achieve the ENERGY STAR, homebuilding practices include (from www.energystar.gov):
1. Effective Insulation
Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, reduced energy use, and increased comfort.
2. High-Performance Windows
Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frames, to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings.
3. Tight Construction and Ducts
Sealing holes and cracks in the home's "envelope" and in heating and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility and maintenance.
4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
In addition to using less energy to operate, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems can be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the overall comfort of the home. When properly installed into a tightly sealed home, this equipment won't have to work so hard to heat and cool the home.
5. Efficient Products
ENERGY STAR qualified homes may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR qualified products — lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines.
What’s it like to live in a Vista Largo Reserve home?
Years ago, before construction science caught up with the public’s desire for green building and sustainability, there were some unusual houses built that required the homeowner to adjust to their home. A Vista Largo Reserve home requires no adjustment from the homeowner; it’s just unusually comfortable, healthy, and energy-efficient. The homeowner notices there aren’t hot or cold spots in the home, that allergies are often reduced due to cleaner indoor air, that heating and cooling bills are lower.
The use of natural materials and finishes often means Vista Largo Reserve homes are uniquely beautiful and have a natural fit for their location. With the entire neighborhood sharing the values of sustainable living, you’ll find a sense of community with like-minded neighbors. With a Vista Largo Reserve home, you are building a home that will stand the test of good stewardship of our natural resources for the entire life of the home.
What about the LEED© ( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Program?
LEED is another certification program for green buildings. It, however, began as a program to certify commercial construction, and then those same criteria were applied to residential construction. Since LEED was not created with custom homes in mind, Vista Largo Reserve uses the ENERGY STAR Rating program instead.
What school district is Vista Largo Reserve in?
Vista Largo Reserve is in the Thompson School District. Their website is http://www.thompson.k12.co.us/ . Students of the Thompson School District consistently outperform the state average on the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) tests.
The schools serving students from Vista Largo Reserve are: Cottonwood Plains Elementary, Lucile Erwin Middle School and Loveland High School. All of these schools are rated High in Overall Academic Performance on State Assessments. For information about their School Accountability Reports and other information about the school district, see http://reportcard.cde.state.co.us/reportcard/CommandHandler.jsp
What utility providers will Vista Largo Reserve provide?
Fort Collins-Loveland Water District Water and Waste Water
Excel Energy Gas
Poudre Valley REA Electricity
Quest Phone
Comcast Cable
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