• Green Building ripple effect testimonial from Farmville
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Green Building ripple effect testimonial from Farmville

In 2007 thirteen Habitat affiliates built twenty-eight homes across the state of Virginia to EarthCraft Standards. This participation was above and beyond our expectations for the first year of the Better by Design program. While we continue on with the Better by Design Program we are learning the "green" ripple effect we are having on the communities in which our Habitat affiliates are building!

Jayne Johnson, Executive Director of the Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity explains, "As a result of the Farmville Affiliate's participation in the Better By Design program we have caused some of our contractors to raise their standards."

She says, "Our EarthCraft program is having a ripple effect here in Prince Edward County!" Below is a list of what contractors are now doing because of their work with Habitat:

Their HVAC contractor NOW uses mastic sealant on all ductwork, and perform his own integrity testing before our EarthCraft inspector does his final inspection;

Their insulation contractors NOW use urethane foam to seal around electrical boxes and window openings;

Their truss suppliers NOW order raised-heel trusses to allow us to extend overhead insulation out to the exterior walls without blocking ventilation.

We hope this will continue as more and more Habitat affiliates participate in the Better by Design Program!