Russ King Homes LLC

We are proud to announce that we will be one of the few home builders in the nation participating in the new Energy Star for Homes Version 3 Pilot Program. We are looking for customers who desire a high performing home. The pilot program will last until Dec. 2011. Our pricing will be very aggressive for this pilot program. Please see us at 5029 NW Derby Drive during the Parade of Homes May 7-8 & May 14-15 from 12:00 – 5:00 for more details.

The Topeka Fall Parade Of Homes will be Oct. 9-10 and Oct.16-17  from 12:00 – 5:00. Please come visit us at 5029 NW Derby Drive.

A Home Energy Rating is used to gauge the energy efficiency of a home or estimate the efficiency of a home that is going to be constructed or improved. There are two parts. First is a “Projected Rating” which tells you what the homes efficiency could be before construction begins. The second is a “Confirmed Rating”. This will tell you what the homes verified efficiency is after the inspections, tests and the construction or improvement of the home are completed. The cost for a rating is $450 – $600.

A HERS Index tells you how energy efficient a home is. A home built to the “American Standard Building” is a HERS of 100. A HERS Index of 0 represents a zero energy home. Think of it like a golf score, the lower the better.  Each 1 point reduction of the HERS Index equals a 1% energy reduction of the home. If you dont test, its just a guess.

First let’s acknowledge that energy efficiency is just part of the building science. Building science is the branch of science dealing with construction, maintenance, safety and energy of buildings. Here are some of the principals we must understand -
1. Fundamentals of performance
2. The principles of moisture
3. The fundamentals of heat & air
4. Indoor air quality & ventilation
5. Design and installation details
6. Methods and products
Okay great, you might be thinking but how does that benefit me the consumer. The average american spends 90% of their time indoors and most will seldom open a window. Most new homes have an attached garage. Are there bad things in the garage we dont want to breathe? Should we make sure that air from the garage does not leak into the living space? Do we use combustion equipment that can back draft combustion gases into our home? Can natural & mechanical air pressures put on the home cause problems? When bad air is present outdoors, does it leak indoors?  Is there a potential problems for you inside of your home? Yes! We must accept and understand that there are these potential problems and address them. Carbon monoxide kills approx. 1500 people a year in the US and is proven to cause severe heart problems and brain damage. Millons of people suffer from outdoor allergies, so why bring them into your home? Lets just eliminate the potential problem, test the home and keep our customers safe and comfortable.

We constantly hear that energy efficiency will raise the cost of a home 5% – 20%. Since there is no recipe for energy efficiency and every home will use different energy strategies (such as solar orientation, air sealing, design loads and so on) , how would they know how much more it would cost? The truth is the home should be designed for its building site and for its desired efficiency. So the great news for consumers – you do not have to spend more for a Green/Energy Efficient home.

Here are the facts-
We have built homes that are 37% – 41% more energy efficient than a standard code built home at no added cost.

We have built a home that is 56% more energy efficient than a standard code built home for a 2% increased cost.

We can produce high performing homes at little or no cost but we must start at the design phase. We use our knowledge of building science and the use of energy modeling software to get the most for your money. We will provide you with options and you decide how efficient your home will be.

The House on May 6 approved H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, by a bipartisan vote of 246 to 161. The legislation authorizes a $6 billion program that would provide home owners with up to $8,000 in rebates for retrofitting existing homes to make them more energy-efficient.

April 17-May 16th, 2010

Come see us at the 30th Annual ERC Designer’s Showhouse!

Where: 5029 NW Derby Drive
in Sterling Chase, North Topeka
Just east of Hunter’s Ridge
Highway 75 at NW 46th Street

Showhouse hours: Mon-Sun, noon-5pm
Last tour starts 30 minutes
before closing time
Tickets are $9 in advance,
$10 at the door

About this House: This 3400 square-foot home is being built in the Sterling Chase housing edition. The home features “green,” or environmentally friendly, construction techniques and energy efficiencies, and will be rated as an Energy Star home. This project will help educate the public about the latest in “green” building, as well as showcase the creativity of area decorators and interior designers.

Value, comfort, and a better environment come standard with every ENERGY STAR® qualified home from Russ King Homes.

OUR HOMES PROVIDE:

SMART INVESTMENT

More than 725,000 ENERGY STAR qualified homes have been built across the country. By the end of the decade, more than 2 million homes are expected to earn the ENERGY STAR. The trend is clear.  By choosing a home that has earned the ENERGY STAR label, you can be confident that your home will have an increasingly valued feature when the time comes to sell.

COMFORT AND QUIET

Properly installed energy efficiency features deliver better protection against cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pollution, and noise.  Our ENERGY STAR qualified homes help to provide consistent temperatures, improved indoor air quality, and greater durability.

LOWER MAINTENANCE

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a low-maintenance home.  Tight construction and long-lasting, efficient equipment make our homes more durable, helping to minimize many of the maintenance problems found in typical homes.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Buying an ENERGY STAR qualified home is a decision you can be proud of. Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming. By using less energy, your new ENERGY STAR qualified home helps to reduce the amount of air pollution generated.

THE GOVERNMENT BACKED ENERGY STAR LABEL

Home buying is complex enough without having to know all the details of energy-efficient construction. Instead, look for the ENERGY STAR label to easily identify homes that are truly energy efficient.

Russ King Homes LLC has been nominated for The National EVHA – Energy Value Housing Award for the home construction of  5029 NW Derby in Topeka, KS.  No builder in Kansas, Nebraska or Missouri has ever won this award, and no builder in Kansas has felt compelled by their product to even compete for it. . . until now.

Click here to read about it.

Russ King Homes LLC would like to thank all who have donated their services & products to make this 30^th ERC Green Show Home a great one!

ABC Supply   354-7398  http://www.abcsupply.com –  Windows, Ext. Doors, Roof &Gutters

Thanks Darren & Chuck!

American Energy Auditors  913-543-3572  http://www.aeauditors.com 

Thanks Jesse, Jeff and Jason!

Capital City Renovations  608-9217 – Installing the roof

Thanks Kirk & Craig!

CT Construction  806-3015 – Trim carpenter

Thanks Chuck!

1^st Street Cabinet   232-4778  http://www.1ststreetcabinet.com – Cabinets, Bar, Tops & Installation

Thanks Mike & Baxter!

Factory Direct  Appliance  272-8800  – Appliances

Thanks Mike!

Home Connections  267-6904  http://www.hctopeka.com – Structured Wiring

Thanks Aaron!

House To Home  272-1020  http://www.housetohomelighting.com – Fireplace, Tile, Hardwood Floor, Carpet, Lighting, Design & Stone

Thanks LeAnn & Mike!

Justin Cook Flooring  691-9893 – Tile Installation

Thanks Justin!

M & M Services  484-3070 – Electrical

Thanks Tim!

McCray Insulation  357-0321  http://www.mccraylumber.com – insulation installation

Thanks Denny!

McElroys  266-4870 http://www. mcelroys.com – Solar Hot Water System, Heating & Air, ERV, Superior Ductwork Installation & Carrier Equipment

Thanks Greg!

Mid America Mechanical  286-4171  – Superior Plumbing, Recirculation System

Thanks Gary!

Probuild  232-7248  http://www.probuild.com -  Designing Home Plans, Engineering, Lumber Package & Sealing Products

Thanks to Steve and the whole gang!

Ty Park Painting  224-6572 – Painting

Thanks Dane!

Shelter Insurance – Kyle Lear  273-3957  – Insurance & Web Page – http://www.kylelear.com

Thanks Kyle!

We are only as good as the people we work with & they are the best! Thanks to ALL!