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Going Green on the Grand Strand
Sterling Homes does it for the planet, patrons and their portfolios
As the world and region grow ‘greener’ in many ways, nowhere is this more essential than home building. Proving they are at the forefront of the ‘green building’ movement on the Grand Strand, Sterling Homes was chosen to be the exclusive builder of the area's first 100% "green certified" community in the Withers Preserves’ Balmoral neighborhood.
Putting environmental responsibility into everything from windows to insulation and wiring to water heaters, Sterling Homes is the perfect builder for the prestigious neighborhood—the area’s only community where standard features include green energy-saving technology and guidelines, exhibited in four models that showcase increased comfort in a healthier, more energy-conscious home.
Proving their commitment to innovation and ‘green’ leadership, the company has promised to "build ‘green’ at no additional cost to the consumer," according to Sterling Homes partner Clinch Heyward. Constructing their new homes to the highest Environments for Living (EFL) Green Certified standards, Sterling Homes’ unprecedented commitment raises the level of quality home building along the Grand Strand.
"Not only are ‘green’ homes better for the environment, but they also add a little ‘green’ at the bank because they are simply more energy-efficient," says Sterling Homes partner Harry Dill.
Adds Heyward, "There are ‘different shades of green’ out there. We searched extensively for a certification source that would lend credibility and power to our green commitment. EFL fit the bill, providing an extensive set of standards that go beyond what’s now being touted as ‘green’."
"While other certification programs, like LEEDs, are focused on commercial building, EFL is focused on private homes," explains Heyward. "It provides you with an objective, third-party inspection of the work. If present owners want to sell, they can provide that certificate to the new owners who know they are getting good value."
According to Heyward and Dill, "Until you experience it yourself, you don’t know what you’ve been missing. Who wouldn’t want a home that’s healthier, more comfortable, higher quality and with a higher resale value?"
In their perception of true ‘green’ building, Sterling Homes includes proper site development; proper materials; energy conservation measures; water conservation measures; and enhanced health quality. "It [green building] has revolutionized Sterling’s approach to construction and our homeowners," Heyward says. "Building ‘green’–especially to EFL standards–is a quantum leap, but it’s the right thing to do. We recognize that homes serve generations, long outliving the client. Before we build, we send plans to EFL for approval. But it doesn’t end there. EFL continues to check construction in progress before issuing certification."
While Sterling Homes officially gained EFL certification in June 2008, what does that mean to Sterling home buyers? It means: tight construction; proper insulation; energy efficient windows and doors; energy efficient heating/cooling equipment with securely-sealed air ducts; fresh air ventilation and ‘pressure balancing’ to control moisture; and Energy Star appliances, lighting fixtures, carpets, etc. See the Best Of Show winner in the 2008 Home Builder Association Tour of Homes at Balmoral for a fine example of Sterling Homes’ ‘green’ building techniques.
"My partner Harry and I love South Carolina and appreciate its beauty as outdoorsmen," Clinch says. "Concerning what we could do to prove it, we had an epiphany about a year ago. When we build ‘green’, either new homes or upgrading existing ones, we are saving for our children and country, forever." While that ‘value-added’ for a home is around $3,000, the dividend is priceless and permanent.
Clinch Heyward, Harry Dill and their teammates represent a partnership skilled at personal service in building the best, most energy-efficient homes possible. The company’s reputation is earned through Dill’s two "Builder of the Year" awards and his presidency of the Horry County Home Builder’s Association, as well as through Heyward’s decades of leadership in residential construction and local development.
Sterling Homes has earned many accolades for its quality and community commitment including: "Overall Best of Show" 2008 winner in the Horry-Georgetown Home Builder Association (HGHBA) Parade of Homes; the Chamber of Commerce's 2007 ‘Community Service Award,’ the COC’s highest accolade; lead builder (as Hall Custom Homes) in the Myrtle Beach Area Extreme Makeover: Home Edition effort and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition "50 State Reunion" all-star build in New Orleans; and helping raise +$170,000 for the Red Cross in response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
Building new green homes from scratch is one thing, but Sterling Homes is also proving its commitment to enhancing regional "greenness" by transforming the living environments of existing homes to increase energy efficiency and comfort and conserve natural resources, and in so doing, helping to set new standards for other builders to follow.
"We realized that there was no national certification for retrofitting existing homes to be ‘greener’," Heyward continues. "So we then worked with EFL for six months to develop one driven, for example, by measuring energy loss with sensitive instruments. We can accurately estimate what specific enhancements will cost, how much they could save you—and when. We did this with our own office and my home. The program saved $150 off of my home utility bill last in August alone."
Sterling Homes has carefully crafted three green packages to fit individual budgets, thoughtful upgrades that save clients money, reduce electricity usage and lessen the strain on regional energy and resources which in turn reduces pollution and improves quality of life. Sterling’s unprecedented commitment raises the level of quality home building along South Carolina’s coast.
"Going green is both good ‘sense’/‘cents’ for the consumer and good stewardship for the planet," says Heyward. |
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G Royce King •
The Litchfield Company Real Estate Sales •
843.237.4000 • Toll-free 800.476.2861
14240 Ocean Highway 17 • P.O. Box 97 • Pawleys Island,
SC 29585
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