StyleCraft Homes is adding a welcome new wrinkle to the residential construction market in Richmond with their new StyleCraft Advantage Program. Long known for superior craftsmanship throughout Richmond and Hampton Roads and “above and beyond” construction techniques, StyleCraft Homes Advantage represents the company’s most extensive efforts yet.
The StyleCraft Homes Advantage
Home builders across the country have traditionally viewed building codes as the bar they’re meant to reach to assure the safety and quality of a home. StyleCraft sees them as a starting point, and we’re making a statement by introducing a new standard in energy efficient building dubbed the StyleCraft Homes Advantage.
Woodside Estates in Ashland, VA marks the first time that every home in a neighborhood will offer the StyleCraft Homes Advantage. New homes built at Three Notch Place will be built to program specs as well. While we are stopping short of classifying ourselves as a green builder, this program does reinforce our commitment to superior craftsmanship and environmentally conscious building choices from materials to appliances.
Standard Requirements for Energy Efficient Homes
- Energy efficient house wrap
- 13 SEER AC or heat pump
- R-38 insulation in attic
- 80 AFU gas heat
- Low E windows
Features of the StyleCraft Homes Advantage
- Energy efficient house wrap
- 15 SEER AC or heat pump
- R-49 insulation in attic
- 95 AFU gas heat
- Programmable thermostats
- Tankless water heater
- Energy Star appliances
- Low E windows
What does R-factor mean?
R-factor is a measure of energy loss, in the case of insulation in the attic, it measures energy loss through the ceilings in your home. The R-factor for an uninsulated ceiling, is about 5. So a ceiling with R-38 insulation will have a total R-value of about 43 (i.e., 38 + 5), and will let through about 5/43 (or about 12%) of the amount that an uninsulated one will; a ceiling insulated with R-49 insulation will have an R-factor of about 54 (i.e., 49 + 5) and let through 5/54 of the energy (or about 9%). So you would get an additional energy savings—for the roof—of about 3% with the higher R-factor insulation. Over time, of course, that 3% savings can make an impact.
What is SEER?
The Federal government mandated 13 SEER as the minimum several years ago. Recently, popular opinion has been that this minimum is likely to be increased to 15 SEER in the next few years. So in this case, StyleCraft is ahead of the curve. Benefits of the 15 SEER unit include a better condenser with protective devices and an improved cabinet, in addition to the rule of thumb that you can expect up to 5% savings for every point increase in SEER you choose.
How is AFU determined?
AFU is the most widely used measure of a furnace’s heating efficiency. It measures the amount of heat actually delivered to your house compared to the amount of fuel that you must supply to the furnace. Thus, a furnace that has an 80 AFU rating converts 80% of the fuel that you supply to heat, whereas the 95 AFU furnaces StyleCraft will install throughout Woodside Estates will boost efficiency to convert 95% to heat.
Woodside Estates and Three Notch Place are new choices for energy-minded buyers in the Richmond and Ashland areas. If you’re in the market for a new home and are looking for one that exudes quality, yet also has the potential to save you money, visit the neighborhood sales centers or contact us for more information.
Three Notch Place:
Ginny Prudhoe
(804) 386-5462
gprudhoe@stylecrafthomes.com
Woodside Estates:
Serena Loo
(804) 339-9100
sloo@stylecrafthomes.com
Chad Taylor
(804) 301-2060
ctaylor@stylecrafthomes.com