Here are a few common sustainable elements
in the typical Ethan Beck Home:
Blown-in Insulation
Blown-in insulation provides at least 10 % greater efficiency as it works in around plumbing and wires.
Breathe easier
Breathe easier with mechanically controlled air exchanges that are better equipped to promote healthy indoor air.
Local concrete countertops
Local concrete countertops fabricated in the Portland Metro area to prevent mining of granite or the toxic process of acrylic countertops. In addition they have an extremely small carbon footprint.
Solar panels
Solar panels with an electric monitoring system of incoming watts and current use- be careful, it’s addictive!
High efficiency furnaces
High efficiency furnaces are better by 15% and only mildly more expensive.
Locally sourced materials
Locally sourced materials add character and a cool-factor of 10 to virtually any room. Click here to see the panels of an old barn fused into a kitchen island.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are great for the drizzly Portland climate because they are most efficient in warmer climates, such as Portland. An air-source heat pump can deliver 1 1/2 – 3 times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy it consumes.
CFL’s were so last year
We’re on to LED’s that give a natural, warm glow and are rapidly becoming affordable.
To minimize urban sprawl
To minimize urban sprawl and maximize density, our homes are typically built on urban infill lots.
Higher than average efficiency
Higher than average efficiency by a minimum of 15% above the average.
The Sunday Times in your walls?
Insulation comes from recycled newspaper and wood.
Advanced framing techniques
Our techniques reduce the amount of wood waste to build your home, and responsible building practices keep recycling at the fore-front of the construction site.
All the Cool Kids have them
Standard elements of an EB Home: Energy-efficient windows, above code insulation, drought resistant plants, to name just a few.