For Immediate Release

Building an energy star qualified home

Norman Mancusi of Mancusi Builders LLC in Hampstead, NH has built an Energy Star Qualified Home in Sandown, NH. This home has been verified by GDS Associates Inc, an independent professional organization, to meet or exceed strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The home has also been built under the guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the rating system used by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to determine the energy and resource efficiency of a home. LEED is a third party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.

The home has been featured in the New Hampshire Union Leader and Fosters Daily Democrat.

A Geothermal heating and cooling system has been installed, which uses the relatively consistent temperature of the earth to heat and cool the house. This allows for much higher efficiencies and reducing heating cost by as much as 75% and using no fossil fuels. Closed cell foam insulation has been used throughout, far exceeding traditional R values. Bamboo and eco-friendly tile flooring have been installed. FSC - certified materials have been used in the construction from the framing to the cabinets. FSC (Forest Stewardship Council U.S.) is a nonprofit organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the worlds' forests.

The home also incorporates recycled materials; high efficient windows, doors and plumbing fixtures; rain water collection system; drought tolerant landscaping; energy star rated lighting and appliances; and has been prepped to accommodate other alternative energy sources. The site and house has been designed to maximize energy efficiency and sustainability.

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