Award Description

Project Participants

* Owner – Mark Johnson Custom Homes, Wilmington, NC
* Structural Engineer – Bushardt Consulting Engineers, Wilmington, NC
* General Contractor – Mark Johnson Custom Homes, Wilmington, NC
* Concrete Contractor – Aztec Masonry of Wilmington, Wilmington, NC
* Concrete Producer - Ready Mixed Concrete, Charlotte, NC
* Masonry Contractor – Aztec Masonry of Wilmington, Wilmington, NC
* Masonry Supplier – General Shale Brick, Charlotte, NC
* Masonry Supplier – Palmetto Brick, Cheraw, SC
* Landscape Architect – Low Country Landscaping, Wilmington, NC
* Energy Rater – Above & Beyond Energy, Wilmington, NC
* Stamped Concrete – Ultimate Edge & Hardscapes

The Primrose is Wilmington’s first LEED Platinum Home. The Platinum rating is the highest green-building certification from the USGBC and validates the contractor's commitment to building safe, sustainable and efficient homes. The home is also an EPA Energy Star Home and has a HERS Index of 56. The HERS Index estimates the energy savings and costs to maintain a residence and the Primrose’s rating indicates that it is 44% more efficient than a home built to code.

At the 2008 NAHB’s Concrete Technologies Workshop, MJCH representatives learned about Insulated Concrete Forms. Working with ICF’s was a first for them and many of their trade partners, but after learning the obvious energy efficiencies and structural benefits ICF’s guarantee, it was decided that their first Green home would benefit from the cement-based system.

Many other factors aided in the LEED Platinum certification. Beginning with site development, MJCH ensured the storm water system was protected from debris with storm water drain filters. A tree preservation plan was also developed to protect any trees and soils intended to remain part of the overall landscaping plan.

A low volume underground irrigation system was installed that captures approximately 98% of the roof’s runoff. Water that would have otherwise gone into the storm water system is being captured and used as the first source of irrigation. The lot only requires 382 gallons of water when the irrigation system runs. Similar sized lots require 2000 gallons of water.

The HVAC system is a Trane 17 seer unit, which should decrease the energy required to cool a home by 25-30%. Energy Recovery Ventilators further reduce the energy required to heat and cool the outdoor air, removing stale air from the home and replacing it with fresh tempered air. MERV 13 air filters were also used. They are more efficient in trapping airborne particles than the standard filters and play a key role in removing dust and particles in the air.

Many of the products in the home are environmentally preferable and 90% of waste was recycled. All light fixtures and kitchen appliances are Energy Star Certified. No VOC (volatile organic compound) paints were used, greatly reducing the amount of chemicals and toxins released into the home. Low flow water fixtures were installed, reducing water usage by 30%. EPA approved Kohler WaterSense dual flush toilets were used, which is estimated at saving 6000 gallons per toilet per year.

The home is estimated at having an energy and water annual cost savings of more than $2,000. Pollution prevention is also a benefit, as this home will release 4.8 less tons of carbon dioxide per year than a comparable home. MJCH monitors the home’s energy consumption around the clock with an innovative device called The Energy Detective (TED), which displays up-to-the-second energy use and cost information in any easy-to-read format. MJCH made the case that giving the homeowner’s real-time feedback that can be associated with cost-savings will elicit the behavioral changes needed to allow the home to perform to its potential. Monitoring utility usage is a helpful green aspect of a home, and MJCH earned points for Innovation & Design that had not previously been recognized.