The Incredibly GREEN HOME

At the end of Bungalow Row sits the latest home by builder Bethesda Bungalows. It maintains the charm and character of the other bungalows on the street; however this one is also LEED Platinum, NAHB Emerald, Indoor airPLUS and ENERGY STAR certified.

About the Project:

Project Location: Chevy Chase, MD
Certification Level: LEED Platinum, NAHB Emerald, Indoor airPLUS
Builder: Bethesda Bungalows
Architect: Christian Gladu, The Bungalow Company

Dubbed the Incredibly Green Home, there aren’t many green building considerations that weren’t incorporated into this home in Chevy Chase, MD. The home features best practices in energy and water efficiency, indoor comfort, air quality, materials use, site planning and durability.

The finishes are undeniably beautiful in this home including FSC-certified floors and cabinets made from locally harvested wood. But it’s what’s behind the finishes that really make this home an eco-powerhouse.

Green Features

A ground loop geothermal HVAC system and 1.75 Kw photovoltaic solar system will dramatically reduce the utility costs. The insulation strategy includes exterior rigid insulation, spray foam insulation in the wall cavities and 2 foot thermal mass basement walls. LED recessed lighting and ENERGY STAR appliances round out the energy efficiency components.

The home also achieved EPA’s Indoor airPLUS designation, a program focused on indoor air quality, comfort and durability. All materials are formaldehyde free, the paints, adhesives and sealants are low VOC and an ERV ensures proper ventilation is delivered 24 hours a day. The bathfans are equipped with automatic humidity sensors to properly exhaust moist air and prevent mold. Everyday Green’s diagnostic testing helped the project team discover the air distribution system wasn’t properly balanced. Bethesda Bungalows addressed the problem by increasing the size of a few room return grills and adding a some transfer grills to get the system in balance. This will help the HVAC system run more efficiently and reduce the likelihood of hot or cold rooms.

The site and landscaping are no less impressive. Drought tolerant and native species reduce overall irrigation demand by 74%. Permeable pavers and drywells manage 100% of the surface water on site. The home’s convenient location near parks, public transportation and stores and restaurants will help minimize car trips for future homeowners.

This was Bethesda Bungalow’s first green certified home, but it won’t be their last. Owner Peter Guida says of certification, “going through the process has catapulted our homes to the cutting edge of building science, and our future customers will benefit immensely from the lessons we’ve learned.” They currently are building 2 other homes to LEED and Indoor airPLUS standards and working with Everyday Green on the certifications.

Learn about the products used in the home from this brochure highlighting all the green features.