How We Build | Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento builds GREEN because we believe we have a moral and fiscal responsibility to our families and our community to design and build our homes in an environmentally responsible way.
History of Green Building
HFH Greater Sacramento joined the US Green Building Council (USGBC) in 2009 and completed over 21 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified homes. The USGBC LEED system awards points for energy efficiency and sustainability and has recognition levels at Basic, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Our Mahogany Street home in Del Paso Heights earned HFH Greater Sacramento the honor of being the 7th Habitat affiliate, of over 1,500 nationwide to achieve the coveted Platinum ranking.
Habitat Sacramento completed our first all-electric net-zero home, located at 4025 32nd Street in the Oak Park community.
In 2010, we were awarded “Achievement in Excellence” by the US Green Building Council for our LEED program. In 2011, we finished among the top 3 finalists in the nation for “Affordable projects of the Year” at the USGBC Summit. In 2015, Habitat Greater Sacramento would also receive the “Housing Innovation Award” from the Sacramento Housing Alliance for our Indian Lane Project – a 14-home transit-oriented, LEED Platinum development in South Sacramento.
While Habitat Greater Sacramento no longer submits for LEED certification, the homes continue to be built to the same level of green building standards.
Our current Mandolin Estates development is the first all-electric, EV ready affordable homeownership development in Sacramento County. This August 2022, we will begin construction on our largest green building affordable homeownership development – Cornerstone. The development will feature 18 single family, all-electric and EV ready affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income families. The 18 Habitat homes will be built alongside 108 affordable multi-family units built by Mutual Housing which will also be green built, all-electric, and EV ready.
Green Building Strategies and results
Our goal is to build homes that are energy efficient today and that will remain energy efficient in the future. These homes are all energy-star certified, all-electric, EV ready, and include photovoltaic solar systems on the roof to supplement electricity. The onsite solar power source can reduce electricity bills by as much as 70%.
Standard Green Building Features include:
- All-electric (no gas)
- EV (Electric Vehicle) ready
- Drought tolerant or xeriscape landscaping with native garden planting scheme in front yard
- Photovoltaic solar system with high efficient panels (2.5 KW System)
- Certain Teed roofing shingles
- Hardiplank horizontal siding (recycled cement-based siding)
- Dow exterior tight building wrap
- On-Demand Rinnai or hybrid efficient electric water heater
- 30 year dimensional composition roof with ridge vent system
- Upgraded interior all compact fluorescent lighting fixtures (CFL) to maximize energy efficiency
- Ply Gem Style Line, argon-filled, low E, energy efficient windows (Energy Star rated with a U factor of .30)
- Low flow 1.5gpm plumbing fixtures, 1.1/1.5gpf Dual Flush toilets, 1.5gpm shower heads
- Energy efficient HVAC-FAU system with 92% efficiency and 100cfm exhaust fan system
- Tight duct HVAC installation on mechanical system with Duct Blast HERS test
- 12 to 14 SEER condensing unit
- Interior and exterior paint with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOC)
- Recycled aggregate base with fly ash special concrete design mix for all flat work
- Tile flooring and recycled carpet with low or no VOC’s
- Trusses with Energy Heel that allow more room for insulation in the attic
- Radiant barrier above ceiling, plus R-38 cellulose-based insulation, R-19 insulation in walls
- Innovative advanced 2″x6” framing design
- Smoke alarm with carbon monoxide detector in every room
- Standard security alarm
- Sustainable designed site, with LEED efficiencies incorporated in the Infrastructure
