Kirk Chapman is a certified Earth Advantage and ENERGY STAR contractor.  He has completed additional training and education in this field to obtain this certification. 

What Makes a Home Earth Advantage®?

Every Earth Advantage home is designed to provide its residents with comfort and quality while maintaining our standards for energy efficiency, indoor air quality, environmental responsibility and resource efficiency. 

Energy efficiency
At minimum, an Earth Advantage home is designed to improve energy efficiency by 15 percent over a conventionally built home. The incorporation of products such as energy-efficient windows, appliances, mechanical systems and light fixtures can add up to lower energy usage and greater comfort year round.

Indoor air quality
The air inside your home makes a difference in how you feel every day, and indoor air quality is a high priority in the construction of an Earth Advantage home. With options like air filtration systems, controlled ventilation and low-toxic building materials, an Earth Advantage home may allow you to breathe a little easier.

Environmental responsibility
The same building materials in an Earth Advantage home that improve indoor air quality also contribute to a cleaner environment, as less toxic products reduce atmospheric pollutants. Earth Advantage homes may also employ site measures that minimize environmental impact such as recycling job site waste, preserving topsoil and trees, and adding native plants to the landscape.

Resource efficiency
Highly efficient appliances save energy and conserve our region's resources. Many items can be made with a high-recycled content, such as carpet crafted from plastic pop bottles, ceramic tile, paint and insulation. Flooring made from bamboo can make a big difference by minimizing the use of timber. Construction techniques such as steel framing, use of concrete foam blocks and brick will save wood in the home's structure.

ENERGY STAR Homes is a national program operated by the Department of Energy and was developed with a focus on energy use only.  Homes that are certified ENERGY STAR are at least 15% more energy efficient than is required by the local code.  The ENERGY STAR Homes program in Oregon is sponsored by the Energy Trust of Oregon.

ENERGY STAR homes are performance tested and certified to conform to the following:

The heating system is significantly more efficient than commonly used systems.

            The duct system is tightly sealed.

            Insulation is installed to specific requirements and at upgraded R-values.

            The water heaters are high-efficiency models.

            Appliances are ENERGY STAR rated.

            At least 50% of the lighting is fluorescent. (This can include compact fluorescent        

            Lights (CFL)

            The windows are high-efficiency, low-E windows.