Standard Features of Newly Constructed OFS Homes
Operation Fresh Start homes that are newly built are "Energy StarŪ Certified." This ensures that they are well insulated, airtight, and have energy efficient furnaces, hot water heaters, and ventilation fans. They also have the "Energy Star Advanced Lighting Package" meaning that the light fixtures use only compact flourescent bulbs. All homes, both new and renovated, also meet Green Built Home standards. All of these features result in significant savings in the costs of heating, lighting, and operating our homes. We build as many of these specifications into our renovated homes as we can:
- Walls are insulated to R-18 (R-13 batt and R-5 rigid foam)
- Ceilings are insulated to R-50 (cellulose)
- House wrap used for airtightness
- Vinyl siding
- 25-year rated asphalt shingles
- Vinyl clad windows that are double paned low-E/Argon
- 200 amp electrical service
- Garage wired for automatic door opener
- Passive Radon mitigation system
- High-efficiency furnace (AFUE) rating of 92%
- High efficiency 40 gal. water heater (62% efficient)
- Water softener
- Garbage disposal
- 2-ft. wide kitchen cabinet next to sink for easy installation of under-counter dishwasher
- Cable wiring in living room and each bedroom
- Telephone outlets in each bedroom, living room, and kitchen
- High efficient/High volume ventialtion fans in kitchen and bathroom
- Programmable bathroom fan timer to fine-tune ventilation/humidity in home
- Programmable thermostat
- Mid-grade Berber carpeting
- Vinyl flooring or ceramic tile in bathroom
- Laminate wood flooring in kitchen
- Painted pine or imperial oak trim throughout
- Hardwood sill in windows
- Honeycomb design window treatments
