Each Cottage and Willow Condominium is Energy Star Rated, providing Residents with the assurance that their home has been constructed well beyond the standard building and energy codes that are often "just met" by other communities.
Forward-thinking construction utilizes items such as recycled cellulose insulation, geothermal heating and air-conditioning for all living areas, energy-heel truss designs for increased attic insulation near the eaves, geothermal domestic water heating with supplemental tankless water heating, high-performance windows, insulated garage doors, compact flourscent lighting and LED lighting, ERV (energy recovery ventilator) for fresh-air exchange, and insulated foundations just to name a few of the attributes that help create an energy efficient home with numerous benefits. Peace of mind comes in various forms and sustainable design is another way to achieve it. Sustainable construction is not only good for the environment, but also for the homeowner for generations to come.
INSULATED FOUNDATIONS
Foundations are insulated around the perimeter utilizing frost-protected shallow foundations. This included insulation on both sides of the poured wall foundation. In addition, the entire slab is insulated underneath for improved comfort. The garage has a similar foundation since the garages are heated in the colder months and an insulated garage floor greatly reduces the chance of the concrete slab "sweating" when outdoor humidity is high.
TIGHT CONSTRUCTION
Special framing techniques were used to allow for proper insulating techniques such as where walls meet at a corner or where an interior wall meets an exterior wall. Many interior walls are insulated for sound detonation including areas around the bathroom, walls next to the washer & dryer, and between bedroom walls and the living room. Garage overhead doors are insulated as well.
DUCT TIGHTNESS
All heating and cooling ducts are insulated and sealed to maintain temperature of the air being supplied. This results in greater comfort and a more efficient system to reach the proper thermostat setpoint.
GEOTHERMAL HEATING & COOLING
This system provides various benefits to the owner of a condominium. We capture the earth's heat and utilize it to heat the living areas in the winter months. In the winter months we take the heat from within the living area and move it to the earth (a similar process to what your refrigerator does by taking "heat" out of the refrigerator and pushing it out the back of the appliance, but we put the heat into the earth in this case).
GEOTHERMAL DOMESTIC WATER HEATING
The Willows Condominiums utilize the excess energy from the geothermal heating system to heat domestic water to a specified temperature (for showers and faucet use). For example, if we heat the domestic water to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the tankless water heater in each unit utilizes little energy to get the water to the users preferred temperature for showers or use in the kitchen and bath sinks.
TANKLESS WATER HEATING
This unit provides the specific temperature of the domestic hot water needed for showers and faucet use. Rather than heat a tank of water 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, this provides instant hot water when needed and creates a major energy savings.
ENGINEERED PLUMBING SYSTEMS
In the Willows condominiums, the domestic hot water is pre-heated with the geothermal system. While this is in one area of the building, we utilize a recirculation loop to provide a much more consistent water temperature to all areas of the building, regardless of their location.
WATER CONSERVATION & LOW-FLOW PLUMBING FIXTURES
While Alpena in on one of the Great Lakes, that is no excuse to not conserve water. Saving water in the kitchen and bath areas with low-flow faucets and shower heads is a simple way to reduce household water consumption. Performance is still prevalent with Kohler faucets so the homeowner has a seamless experience compared with older, less efficient plumbing fixtures.
FRESH AIR VENTILATION
Each time a person enters the bathroom, a motion sensor detects a person's presence. This activates the condo's ERV (energy recovery ventilator). Air within the living area is exhausted to the outdoors and new fresh air is brought into the living area. During this cycle in the cooler months, the air leaving the condo and the air entering the condo are filtered. This allows the cooler fresh air that is entering to be pre-heated by the warmer air exiting the living area. Another energy saver as compared with bringing in cool fresh air and having to use additional energy to raise the air temperature from potentially 10 degrees (outdoor air temp) and raise it to the inside room temperature set at 72 degrees.
ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES
Various Energy Star products are utilized including all appliances as well as the geothermal system.
LIGHTING EFFICIENCY
LED lighting is utilized for the can lights in the bath and kitchen areas. These lights are rated for 50,000 hours of use each. At 4 hours of use each day, that equates to over 34 years of lighting enjoyment. It sure beats changing light bulbs.
SOLID DOORS
All exterior and interior doors are solid-core, which provide greater sound control within the living areas. WE BACK IT UP
Each Condominium receives and Energy Star Home certification, conducted by a third-party energy auditor to confirm the home is constructed as designed.
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