Our LEED certification is official! This certification recognizes qualifying buildings and organizations as “leaders” in the fight to protect our planet.

We were honored last night at the Northern Vermont Home Builders and Remodelers Association annual dinner with two awards for Toms home. The first was “Most Innovative Design/Build” and the other the “Energy Efficiency Award”. It is very meaningful to all of us to be recognized by our peers for state-of-the-art construction and sustainable building practices.

We will be scheduling another Open House Tour in November and will announce the date. Until then, please call to arrange a tour by appointment.

We are participating in the Northeast Sustainable Energy Associations annual Green Building Open House. We will be open from 9 to 5. Please join us to tour one of Vermonts most energy efficient luxury green homes. We have received LEED Silver Certification.

Whether you are considering building or remodeling this home is a showcase of energy efficient ideas and a showcase of Tom Moore Builder’s fine building and cabinetry. We will offer light refreshments, so come enjoy some time with us!

Check out the other houses on the Tour: www.nesea.org/greenbuildings

The balancing rock garden, rock wall and patio complete. Landscaping is going on with a small amount of lawn seeded, and lots of perrenials being added.

Starting the stone walkway.

Walkway nearing completion.

The deck now has a large Otter Creek awning for shade.

http://www.ottercreekawnings.com/

Landscaping continues…

Join us for an Open House Tour. April 30, 1 to 5 pm. Call for directions 899-2376.

The house is now in the final stages of completion. The landscaping has to wait until the snow recedes a bit more!

Tiger Maple kitchen cabinetry.

Spice Drawer.

Full extension drawer.

Glass doors with “Rose” Tiger Maple inlay.

Hardwood butcher-block island.

Dining room.

Living room with gas fireplace.

Stairway with multiple hardwoods and inlay.

Guest bedroom and bath.

Master bath.

Without any landscaping complete, there are some questions that remain as to how the certification will resolve. The remaining several feet of snow will take a few more weeks to melt.

For more information about the LEED Certification Program, visit the US Green Building Council website at www.usgbc.org.

USGBC GREAT OVERVIEW FOR LEED FOR HOMES:  http://www.usgbc.org/Showfile.aspx?documentID=2352

LEED or LEED related: http://greenhomeguide.com/

http://www.motherearthnews.com/ask-our-experts/LEED-for-homes-zb0z10zblon.aspx

Local Vermont Chapter of USGBC: http://www.vgbn.org/page.php?pid=44&pname=who-we-are

We are glad to have the committed assistance of Penny Miller, of Gardner Kilcoyne Architects, to guide us through the maze of LEED requirements.

The kitchen cabinets are book matched high figure Tiger Maple from Bristol Vermont. The island is reclaimed Mesquite with a butcher block top. The floor is sustainably harvested Cork.

The stairs are Tamarack harvested from the site. All the cabinetry and woodwork in the house is by the Tom Moore Builder shop.

Don’t miss our next open house, Saturday, March 26, from 2 – 5 pm. The roads were posted last week, but the forecast looks like it will remain cool and snowy, so the mud should not be too bad. We welcome you to take a tour of the house, whether you are looking at building a new home or remodeling. Call for directions, 802-899-2376.

Other news: the house received a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) rating of 4! This is one of the lowest scores that Vermont Efficiency has rated to date.