2014 Annual Sustainability Report

2014 Annual
Sustainability Report
The Aster, a new model in Deltec’s predesigned, high performance Renew Collection
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MOVING CLOSER TO OUR GOALS
It is now our third year of issuing a sustainability report. This past year we focused on
growing our company while continuing our environmental stewardship.
Highlights include:
Shipping many unique, highly energy efficient and low-impact customer projects,
ranging from tiny super-insulated houses to net-zero and near-net zero projects—
each project custom to the particular green dreams of the home in question. Three
case studies are on pages 3-4.
Making some headway in our waste reduction efforts, including donating scrap fiber
cement siding and starting a new pilot program to save scrap plywood for donation
to local wildlife box building campaigns.
Exciting upgrades in our plant to more energy efficient lighting, begun in 2014 and
scheduled for full implementation in 2015, has the potential to reduce lighting energy
use by an impressive 67%.
As exciting as these efforts are, we know our work is never done. We are continuing
this spirit of improvement into 2015 with some new energy saving and waste
reducing efforts and more new home designs to help our customers build homes
that live lighter on the planet.
Sincerely,
Leigha Dickens
Green Building & Sustainability Manager
Deltec Homes
BUILDING THEIR GREEN DREAMS:
Three Case Studies
We look forward to working with people who share our passion for the
environment. That’s why our Green Building Department offers free
consultations for all homeowners. We’ll help you design your home and select
the best options to meet your desired level of efficiency while being mindful of
your budget. We’ll also assist during construction and can help achieve various
green building certificates such as ENERGY STAR or LEED.
Here are just three of the custom green homes we worked with our customers
to create in 2014.
The insulation and
tightness of the house are
amazing. We rarely use air
conditioning as ventilation
with windows open is
excellent. We rarely turn
the heat on upstairs, as the
heat rises to the second
floor.
-Cathy F.
CATHY F. and MARCY M.
Location: North Carolina
Home: 2 story 1200 sq ft round model
Foundation: Superior Wall pre-cast and pre-insulated concrete system, offering R24 in
basement walls
Wall System and R-Value: Deltec 2x6 Wall plus R5 Thermal shield offers an R24 wall
Ceiling R-Value: R-38
Other Green Features: Closed loop solar water heating system with electric backup
provides 70%-90% of annual water heating needs free from the sun. All Energy Star®
appliances, LED lighting throughout home
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“Deltec’s Renew
Collection was the
answer to building a
home as close to netzero as possible. The
green department was
valuable in providing
me with resources,
the latest research and
overall guidance.”
-Marie D.
MARIE D.
Location: Virginia
Home: 1604 square foot ‘Ridgeline B’ from the Renew Collection
Wall system: Deltec Double Stud Wall with 2 layers of 2x4 studs, insulated by
homeowner on site with Roxul Comfortbatts
Roof System and R-Value: 16” deep vaulted trusses filled with blown cellulose
insulation, plus 2 inches of exterior EPS foam insulation, for an R70 roof
Foundation: A sealed, insulated crawlspace creates a conditioned space to keep
heating ductwork and a ventilation system, improving efficiency and performance.
Sealed crawlspaces also handle moisture and humidity in a southeastern climate far
better than a conventional vented crawlspace.
Projected HERS Score: 20 (based on energy modeling)
Other Green Features: factory-applied Frameguard™, a non-toxic mold and
termite resistant framing treatment; heat pump water heater; high efficiency “minisplit” heat pump and AC system; fresh air ventilation system; 2.8 kilowatt battery
backup solar array
MICHAEL W.
Location: North Dakota
Home: 2 story 900 sq ft round model on a basement +
2 story 12x16 connector with 2 car garage
Wall System: Deltec “Energy Wall” featuring 2x6 studs,
advanced framing, AirBlock gasket, insulated headers, and
R5 Thermal Shield for R24 plus exceptional air-tightness
Roof System: Deltec Energy Saver Plus Overhang,
sealed and unvented attic with high performing spray
foam insulation
Other Green Features: Triple pane windows, Deltec
Energy Star® certified and low-waste metal shingle roof
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Highland
Chestnut
Aster
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NINE HOMES, ONE VISION:
MOVING NET-ZERO FORWARD
The concept at the heart of the Renew Collection - high
performance homes designed to use two-thirds less
energy than a traditional home - proved an overwhelming
success, so much so that in 2014 we began developing
three new models to add to the collection, bringing the
total to nine.
Each of the nine homes can easily achieve net-zero living.
The pre-designed floor plans enable a faster, more costeffective build. Our goal is to make high performance and
net-zero homes more attainable. Eliminating the time
and costs that go into designing a custom home is a huge
component of that.
Extensive research goes into designing a home that
performs on this level. However, we want to have models
that appeal to everyone, so it’s a challenge we’re eager to
meet head on.
The Highland model is one of three
new Renew Collection designs. It offers
a distinctly modern appearance as well
as a larger footprint than other models,
while still offering a super-insulated
building envelope and the opportunity
for passive solar design.
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2014 BY THE NUMBERS
SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS: Waste Diversion
83.8%
Increase in waste
diversion up from
last year
8%
Total % of waste
and scrap material
from production
that was donated,
reused, or recycled,
instead of
landfilled
16.8%
SOLAR PRODUCTION DATA
Operating with
100% Renewable
Energy in 2014
83.2%
Total energy consumed
447,000 kilowatt hours
Total wind credits
purchased
371,845 kilowatt hours
Total energy generated
by our array
75,155 kilowatt hours
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These energy efficient features on the
homes we shipped in 2014 will save
approximately 520 megawatt hours of
electricity per year, compared to other
types of new construction. That’s the
equivalent of planting 770 trees.
IN 2014
100%
76%
Percentage of homes shipped
by Deltec in 2014 that included
at least one energy efficiency
feature that exceeded typical
new construction efficiencies
Percentage of homes shipped by
Deltec in 2014 that included energy
efficiency upgrades that will reduce
these home’s energy use compared
to typical new construction by at
least 30%
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RECOGNITION
In order for recognition to be a critical component of success in the work environment,
it should be meaningful to the company. When recognition comes from an outside ‘source’
and is linked to a company goal, we know we are headed in the right direction. We were
thrilled to be recognized for our efforts by the the local chapter of the Sierra Club.
The Western NC Group of the Sierra Club awarded
Deltec their 2014 Award for Outstanding Green
Business of the Year. Local Sierra Club leader Ken
Brame said they chose Deltec for the energy efficient
homes they build, including a net zero collection, and the
fact that Deltec operates with 100% renewable energy.
Brame also cited Deltec’s commitment to reducing excess
construction waste from landfills – currently at 83.8%
– through recycling and reuse, with a goal of 0% landfill
waste by 2016. Said Brame, “Deltec exemplifies the true
meaning of being a “green business” and the Sierra Club is
happy to recognize them for all that they do.”
A community is only as strong as we make it, and in order
for a community to thrive, it is critical that its inhabitants
earn enough money to be self-sustaining members. We
are proud to have passed the rigorous application process
and be recognized as Living Wage Certified, official
recognition of our efforts to promote a just and sustainable
local economy through the Living Wage Certified program
of Just Economics in Western North Carolina, the largest
program of its kind in the United States.
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COMMUNITY MATTERS
From Habitats for Humanity...
...to Habitats for Critters
Habitat for Humanity remains a preferred donation spot
for many of our excess usable scrap pieces of plywood
and XPS foam board from our R5 Thermal Shield.
In 2014, Deltec sought out new partnerships to help
increase our landfill diversion rate. Amongst these new
partners was the North Carolina Wildlife Resource
Commission. In September Deltec hosted a Squirrel
Box Build Night, where a group of dedicated volunteers
worked with the NC Wildlife Resource Commission
and Wild South to build 62 boxes for the northern flying
squirrel.
This year we added a new donation stream, donating
pallets of our most popular siding: Allura fiber cement
siding. Habitat for Humanity sells these scrap materials
in the Asheville ReStore, where they can be purchased
by community members for small projects around the
house, rather than having to buy new, virgin material to
serve the same purpose. Proceeds from the ReStore help
to fund the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity’s building
programs and cover administrative fundraising expenses.
These boxes have been posted on NC-owned lands,
providing a habitat and allowing wildlife managers to keep
track of local populations.
Through these same organizations we also hosted
a similar evening event for barn owls and, with our
volunteer crew, built 31 barn owl boxes.
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Deltec and Wild South: a Community Partnership
Toys for a Good Cause
With community partner Wild South (www.wildsouth.org),
we partnered with an anonymous donor in a campaign
for matching donations, engaging the public in the active
protection of our unique and vital Southern wildlife species
and habitats. The Hellbender Wildlife Protection Campaign
raised over $5,000.
While it’s true we produce a lot less waste than standard
construction practices, we still scrupulously recycle
each and every piece possible, channeling it to various
recycling initiatives. Last year we were asked by the
talented artisans over at Apple Country Woodcrafters
in Hendersonville, NC, to donate wood scraps for their
toy making mission – they have turned out thousands
of wooden toys for disadvantaged children since 1985,
making this initiative our new favorite!
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Our values go beyond the company.
Sustaining local nonprofits through
donations and various projects help
keep our community thriving.
Children First and the Family Resource Center
Deltec sponsored four neighborhood children for
Christmas again, through Children First/Communities In
Schools (CIS) of Buncombe County, a local non-profit
committed to advocating and empowering children and
families living in poverty. Just like last year, the children
were asked to list something they want, something they
need, something to wear and something to read. Deltec
employees chose what they wanted to buy from the list.,
and Deltec was happy to gift bicycles.
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue (BWAR)
We continue to support Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, a
nonprofit, no-kill shelter that is home to up to 100 dogs,
puppies, cats, kittens and other small animals 365 days a
year. The demand for supplies to care for these animals
is huge. Their greatest needs during the holidays are food
and litter: A donation box was kept in the Deltec lobby for
food, kitty litter, treats and toys, by whomever wanted to
donate.
Meals on Wheels
Our commitment to enabling homeowners to retain their
independence and remain living in their homes for as
long as possible remains constant. Twice a week, Deltec
employees spend a paid hour making deliveries for Meals
on Wheels to the elderly and infirm in ‘our’ neighborhood.
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69 Bingham Rd ~ Asheville NC ~ 28805
Tel 800.642.2508 ~ deltechomes.com
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