The Near Zero Energy Home features a 4 kilowatt solar array offsetting approximately 65% of the home's overall energy consumption.



A Pentium-driven Gridpoint energy management system monitors solar energy production and provides battery back up in the event of power failure.



A home automation system monitors heating and cooling as well as controls lighting to minimize consumption.



The permeable driveway on this home reduces runoff impact.  As an added benefit, the heat of the earth makes its way through drainage gaps to allow snow to melt more quickly.



Blown fiberglass insulation significantly reduces air infiltration over traditional batt insulation.



Concrete is piped into these Insulated Concrete Forms to make for  structurally sound home with added benefits of reduced air infiltration and lower exterior to interior noise transfer.



Sage recycles on its jobsites.  Here packaging cardboard is set aside for recycling.



iJoists use wood more efficiently, and make for stronger, less squeaky floors.



Low-E, Argon gas filled, double pane windows reduce solar gain and minimize radiant heat transfer.  They also offer noise reduction.



This drill is making a 150' deep well for a geothermal heating and cooling system. This effort is somewhat expensive, but will prove to be an excellent investment over time since geothermal systems are 400% efficient (through the free use of the earth's constant temperature).


The Becker residence uses large roof overhangs as part of their passive solar design to minimize cooling loads.


In every bathroom with a shower or tub, Sage uses digital timers on the bath fans. Fans should be left on for 30 minutes after a shower to minimize moisture -- and the potential for mold growth.


Cardboard is abundant on a construction sites. Sage does regular runs to the cardboard recycling bins, saving it from the already overburdened landfills.


The subfloor is set, and the SIPS (Structual Insulated Panels) are delivered. The engineered panels offer increased insulation, decreased air infiltration, and increased structural integrity for the exterior walls.


Preventing moisture in the home is a concern for green builders. Sage partnered with Champion Waterproofing for protection against water intrusion on the basement. This coating is Tremco's Watchdog, and carries a 10 year dry basement guarantee. This coating is one of three defenses we utilize in the basement on our homes.


Sage has been using Superior Walls pre-cast basement walls on some of our new construction basements. Not only do the walls reduce basement moisture levels (they use a high PSI concrete), but they also incorporate steel (a very green building product), and come pre-insulated for additional efficiency in the home.


This home was built using panels. Here you see the 2x6 wall panels having just been shipping from the factory. Installed, they're no different from a framed home, but as panels they're less exposed to weather since they go up faster. We also see a large reduction in site waste since most of the lumber cuts happen in the factory and are recycled.


Low-e, Argon gas windows are put in place. The Low-e (for low emissivity) means that the windows are coated to minimize heat transfer. The Argon gas in between the panes makes for higher insulation levels from the windows, helping to keep the inside conditioned space comfortable.


Scrap lumber is saved for fireblocking in the house or chipping. When chipped (non-treated) lumber makes for a good mulch.


IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) is a concern for serious green builders. The American Lung Association's Health House recommends filters with a minimum MERV rating of 10. A MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating measures a filter's ability to trap particles ranging in size from 3.0 to 10 microns.


We take our indoor air quality seriously. This boot and the others in the house were covered during construction to keep dust out of the HVAC system.


Many of our home visitors love the Sterling dual flush toilets we spec as standards. That's one button to flush for "number one" (.8 gallons), another for "number two" (1.6 gallons). It's a really easy way to save water, and in our humble opinions a better solution that "If it's yellow, be mellow..."


Three of these Pella windows were removed from a home for a renovation project. It would be a waste to put them in the dumpster, so they were sold to a local builder through Craigslist. We're pleased to note the home he's building will be using the windows as part of his passive solar design.


Sage favors a "home-run", PEX-based plumbing system. PEX is short for Cross Linked Polyethylene, a potable water piping system that's been in use in Europe for over 20 years. It's pluses are too many to note here.


This Rinnai tankless water heater is 84% efficient (the lowest end of the scale on the EnergyGuide tag shown). It's not a good water conservation practice to take long, hot showers, but it's nice to know that if you do, you won't run out of hot water.


We've set aside the scrap aluminum gutter and trimboard from this addition project for hauling to recycling in the morning.



Using mastic at all of the duct connections has a surprisingly positive impact on the efficiency of the HVAC system. It's a little time consuming, but worthwhile step installers should take.