First Emerald Certified NGBS Project in Eastern North Carolina

Whitfield Equity Investments, LLC, in partnership with Southern Energy Management, Inc., achieved the first National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Emerald Certification in eastern North Carolina. Emerald is the highest level of certification possible under the NGBS Program. The whole-house remodel project involved green remodeling efforts that resulted in a 58% improvement in energy efficiency, a 53% improvement in water efficiency, and a projected savings of around $100 a month on utility bills for the future occupants of the 1008 square feet ranch home, built in 1958.

So how did they get there? “A ridiculous amount of caulk,” says Brian Whitfield, owner of Whitfield Equity Investments, who replaced and upgraded everything from the lighting to the kitchen sink. “Our goal is to be able to approach municipalities with our Greenhab Process, creating a win-win situation for affordably improving the home value and homeownership retention in their blighted areas.”Major renovation features of the NGBS Emerald Certified project included: hanging new low-E windows, upgrading to a higher efficiency HVAC unit, a full kitchen and bath remodel, adding insulation to the floor and ceiling, upgrading to 100% CFL lighting, and using low VOC finishes, paints and flooring. And on top of that, some blood, sweat, tears and several blower door tests to determine the level of air infiltration prior to and after the completion of the remodel.

In addition to improving some of the cosmetic elements of the home, the new green features also served to significantly improve the indoor air quality and energy efficiency of the home. Achieving Emerald Certification also helped in marketing the overall benefits of this stand-out remodel project.

To learn more about Whitfield Equity Investments and the project, click here or call 1-855-724-3764.
For more information on Southern Energy Management’s green building certification services, click here.