Our Homes and Sustainable Building

Energy and Resource Efficient

As a part of Habitat International’s global commitment to sustainable construction worldwide, Habitat Suffolk is on the forefront of resource and energy efficient building practices. All HFH Suffolk’s homes achieve Energy Star with Indoor Air Plus ratings and are designed and built to achieve LEED Gold certification. The post-construction testing associated with these ratings and certifications verify that the homes significantly reduce energy consumption, have exceptional indoor air quality and only generate a small percentage of construction waste.
Habitat’s Environmental Initiative teaches affiliate staff and volunteers to use sustainable construction techniques, which conserve natural resources. As a result of HFH Suffolk’s advanced green building practices their homes are more durable, healthier and less expensive to operate than conventionally build homes.

Energy Star

The Energy Star process begins with the design of the house and includes everything down to the lighting. Our goal is to “seal the house tight and ventilate right” – this will keep out the dust and allergens, while keeping a comfortable temperature on the inside. When we add the finishing touches of compact fluorescent bulbs and Energy Star rated appliances, our homeowners' bills are about 50% lower than the average house.
Indoor Air Plus is a program that considers building aspects like water management, indoor moisture control to help prevent mold growth, combustion source control, as well as low-emitting building materials. Bring your friends and family and Volunteer for a day and learn how to make your home more energy efficient.

The U.S. Green Building Council has developed a rating system known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Buildings that excel in their energy and green materials can receive one of four ratings: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. HFH Suffolk has set LEED for Homes certification as their standard building practice and is aiming towards having all of their futures homes obtain a LEED Gold or Platinum certification.

Innovation and Design

Integrated Design Team
LEED Accredited Professional
Durability Management
Home Energy Monitoring
Green Cleaning Supplies

Sustainable Sites

Onsite Erosion Control
No Invasive Plants
Drought Tolerant Landscaping
Nontoxic Pest Control
Dense Development

Sustainable Sites

Avoid Development on Environmentally Sensitive Sites
Develop in Previously Developed Areas

Water Efficiency:

Dual Flush Toilets
Low Flow Faucets
Low Flow Shower Heads

Energy & Atmosphere:

Energy Star Performance
Efficient Water Heating

Awareness & Education:

Homeowner Training
Community Awareness and Education

Indoor Environmental Quality:

Energy Star with Indoor Air Package
Outdoor Air Ventilation

Materials & Resources:

Advanced Framing Techniques
Environmentally Preferable Products
Construction Waste Management/Reduction

Conservation

The conservation and efficient use of materials helps save money while conserving natural resources. Less waste and the reuse of recyclable materials results in lower costs for Habitat partner families.

Materials conservation starts with the house design

Habitat home designs use less lumber and reduce material waste. Simple, modestly-sized houses use less raw materials than large houses. Smaller houses are less expensive to build and easier to heat and cool. Purchasing smaller quantities of materials decreases the environmental impact of raw material extraction, processing and transportation. It also reduces the amount of waste. Scrap construction materials are collected on the build site for volunteers to pick up and recycle

Promoting reuse and recycling

Local Habitat affiliates reuse and recycle leftover materials. These materials are channeled back into house construction or to materials recyclers.

643 Middle Country Rd Middle Island, NY 11953 | phone: 631.HABITAT (422-4828)

fax: 631.924.6474 | HabitatSuffolk@habitatsuffolk.org

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