6 Components of a Healthy Home
1. Green Built
Green Built homes are built to surpass standard building practices in three main areas, all of
which contribute to a better overall home for your family. High Performance Green Building is
made up of Energy-Efficiency, Resource Conservation and Indoor Air Quality.

Currently, Tim O’Brien Homes are certified by the Wisconsin Green Built Home™ program to
meet sustainable building and energy standards.


2. Energy Efficiency
Tim O’Brien Homes is a Wisconsin ENERGY STAR® partner, creating energy efficient homes that
provide more long-term value for the investment. Wisconsin ENERGY STAR® homes provide a
complete range of features that will not only lower utility bills, but will offer year-round comfort and
enhance the long-lasting value and durability of your home.

Tim O’Brien homes are well insulated and well sealed to provide energy efficiency, ventilation,
combustion safety and improved indoor air quality. To see a complete list of Wisconsin
ENERGY STAR® features included in our homes visit TimOBrienHomes.com.



3. Resource Conservation
Water Conservation (Indoor & Outdoor) Tim O’Brien Homes is one of 8 builders selected in the country for the EPA
WaterSense New Homes pilot program. EPA Homes are designed to be about 20% more water efficient than similar
new homes built today, saving households about 10,000 gallons or more of water per year.

Material Usage (Sustainability & Durability) Tim O’Brien Homes is very dedicated to using sustainable products.
Investing in better quality products in the beginning often means less maintenance and cost over the life of the home.

Recycling Practices
All construction debris is sent to a recycling facility. Look for our plastic cylinder bin on our jobsite, not a metal dumpster.



4. Indoor Air Quality
Recent studies indicate that the indoor air quality in homes can have a significant effect on respiratory illness,
particularly childhood asthma. Here are just some of the ways Tim O’Brien Homes improves indoor air quality:

  • Direct-vent fireplace and exhaust fans, power vented water heater, and sealed sump pit.
  • Waterproofed Basement with 15–Year Dry Basement Guarantee
  • Mold-Resistant Drywall in sensitive areas
  • Spray Foam Insulation in Box Sills Over 30 % of heat loss is from the box sills
  • Low VOC paint and stains
  • Tyvek ® Home Wrap
  • HEPA Filtration System
  • Right-sized HVAC to help manage indoor humidity and remove moisture
  • Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors
  • Continuous ridge venting in attic for better ventilation


5. Renewable Energy
Many homeowners could see savings up to 70% for cooling, heating and hot water. Since a geothermal system
doesn’t burn natural gas, propane, or fuel oil, it will be less impacted by rising fuel costs.

Geothermal systems tap into the constant, moderate temperatures found 7-8’ below the earth’s surface to offer the
finest in home comfort conditioning. It also operates more efficiently because it can deliver four units of energy for
every one unit of electrical energy used translating into an efficiency rating of 400%, compared to a 92% efficient
gas furnace.


6. Renewable Energy
Solar Power (Photovoltaic Power) The cleanest and safest renewable energy system.
Using the sun’s energy to generate power or heat.

Photovoltaic systems harness the power of the sun to create electricity for your home or
heat your water. Essentially the system converts the visible light spectrum of energy into
DC current, and then a converter changes it to AC, sending it back to the grid. Often these
systems can be so efficient that they supply a substantial amount of energy to
offset consumption.



For Tim O'Brien Homes'
6 Components of a
Healthy Home and
more details about
Tim O'Brien Homes,
please download our
PDF by clicking the link
above or clicking the
image to the right.