Energy Efficient Green Home Builders
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
     
 
908 North Main St. Brighton, IL 62012

Phone:
(618) 372-3121
Fax:
(618) 372-4537
  
     

  Grant Estates Project


Phase 1 - Final Plat PDF
“Imagine the Possibilities” A High Performance Showcase Home

The “Imagine the Possibilities” home showcases high performance home building in a package that looks and functions like a traditional home.  The “Imagine the Possibilities” home is located in Grant Estates, an enclave of high performance homes in Brighton, IL.  Each home will offer the comforts and benefits of a home built to offer

  • lower utility bills via an energy-efficient building envelope and systems and appliances
  • healthier living environment through better indoor air quality
  • easier living and less maintenance with durable and long-lasting exterior and interior finishes

Each home will meet the Energy Star guidelines, Department of Energy’s Builders Challenge building quality criteria, and incorporate the guiding principles of green building.  Better Way Builders recently completed the first home in Illinois to earn the Builders’ Challenge Program.

The “Imagine the Possibilities” home will showcase the benefits of high performance building to everyday home buyers in middle America.  Today’s “green living” in a high performance home is easy and affordable.

The highlights of each home:

  • Single-story home with full basement and attached 2-car garage
  • 3 bedrooms and 2 baths
  • Maximum energy performance through design for passive solar orientation, energy-efficient envelope, high-efficiency systems and appliances and where applicable, renewable energy
  • Healthy indoor air quality to ease asthma and allergy symptoms
  • Home built to meet a mid-range budget with predictable low energy bills

These homes have been designed using an integrative design process with the designer, energy consultant, renewable energy expert and Better Way Builders all working together.  Through a phased approach, the team stepped through the process starting with conceptual drawings and energy models and options.  Through several property site visits and design meetings, the team arrived at the final plans.  These final plans include all approved specifications including the energy needs for proper HVAC sizing requirements, the renewable energy selection, and expected energy use in the home.

Design Specifications to meet project goals:

  • A Craftsman-style single story home with basement and attached 2-car garage.  1,500 square feet of  living space with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths  – a straightforward design to simplify foundation and panel installation while providing a purposeful and comfortable home.
  • Home orientation and placement on site to take advantage of Passive Solar heating and cooling
  • A tight, energy-efficient building envelope with a precast, insulated Foundation System for the below grade envelope and a Structurally Insulated wall and roof panel system (SIPS) for the above grade envelope.  Superior drainage on both inside and outside of foundation offer excellent moisture management and reduce risk of future water and foundation damage
  • High efficiency triple pane, low E vinyl Energy Star windows to allow abundant daylight while also provide needed insulation from the element
  • Vinyl siding, soffit and fascia for exterior cladding, and 30-year roof shingles to provide years of durability and low maintenance
  • High-efficiency gas furnace for energy efficient heating.  
  • Tankless water heater or similar for energy-efficient hot water.
  • Energy-efficient home living from Energy Star appliances and fixtures
  • Water conservation with Low Flow toilets and fixtures
  • Indoor Air Quality preserved with the use of low VOC paints and adhesives and excellent interior moisture management and ventilation.

Brighton is a village of around 2,200 people located mostly in Macoupin County, Illinois and partially in Jersey County, Illinois.  The southwestern school system is ranked among the top schools in the surrounding districts.   Brighton has more of a suburban feel to it and is about 20 miles away from the suburbs of St. Louis.  Brighton offers quiet living within easy reach of the metropolitan St. Louis area with the expansion of I-255 being constructed just south of town.  Brighton is also only minutes away from the Great River Scenic Byway and many state parks. 

 
 
     
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We are a green home builder proudly serving the entire Saint Louis and Metro East area, including clientele in Brightton IL, Edwardsville, Belleville IL, Edwardsville IL, Effingham IL, Collinsville IL, O'Fallon IL, Chesterfield MO, Florissant MO, Arnold MO along with Southern Illinois and Central Missouri.