At Chesmar Homes we are all about setting a higher standard. We do that by dedicating ourselves to the advanced building science techniques necessary to provide our buyers with high performance homes — Homes that come with energy efficiency and comfort guarantees, for more lower cost of ownership — Homes that are durable, and provide a safer, healthier, more comfortable environment than conventionally built homes.

All Chesmar homes meet or exceed the stringent testing and standards required to participate in the Environments For Living, Energy Star and Advanced Lighting Package programs delivering to our buyers homes with more M.P.G [Modern design, Performance guaranteed, Green certified].^SM

Here’s what to check for to make sure your new home has the highest M.P.G available

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A HIGH M.P.G. HOME	Chesmar Homes	Competitor #1	Competitor #2
Advanced Lighting Package (60% Energy Star qualified hard-wired fixtures and 100% Energy Star qualified ceiling fans)
Environments For Living Energy Usage Guarantee
Environments For Living Energy & Comfort Guarantee
15 SEER Rating (High number = More efficient)
91% Ultra Efficient Furnace (High % = Less energy costs)
R-38 Attic and R-13 Wall Insulation (High number = Less heat/cold from outside)
Foil-backed R-8 A/C Ductwork
Foam Seal Insulation around Windows, Doors, Bottom Plate & Other Openings
Double-pane Low-E Insulated Vinyl Windows (Windows are a HUGE energy drain)
TechShield (or equivalent) Radiant Barrier Decking (Hot Attic = Less efficient HVAC system)
1/2” Dow R-3 Insultated Sheathing (except windstorm areas)
Fresh Air Intake (Better Indoor Air Quality)
Media Filter (Better Indoor Air Quality)
Energy Star Rated Multi-speed Ceiling Fans
Natural Gas Cooking
Standard Appliances (Energy Star Rated Built-in Dishwasher/Energy Star Rated Refrigerator/Energy Star Rated Washer/Front-load Electric Laundry Set)
Low Flow Water Systems (Low Flow = Less Water Usage)
12 Third-Party Inspections (1. Foundation Pre-Pour/ 2. Foundation Pour/ 3. Foundation Elongation/ 4. Structural, Windstorm-Code/ 5. Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing-Code/ 6. EFL Blocking/ 7. Duct Blaster/ 8. Insulation/ 9. Blower Door/ 10. Final Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing/ 11. Cosmetic Quality Assurance/ 12. Quality Assurance Re-inspection)

 Click here to print your own MPG checklist.

When you're looking for the highest M.P.G make sure to define your terms

• ACH: Air Changes per Hour. Air-tight homes need air changes for the best Indoor Air Quality. Fresh air intake forces outside air into the home pushing out stale indoor air. (Out with the bad, in with the good.)
• AFUE: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Measures a furnace's heating efficiency. (The higher the rating, the better.)
• ARI: American Refrigeration Institute. Energy Star required certification, verifying the HVAC system meets the 15 SEER rating.
• ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning. Sets design standards for HVAC systems.
• BUILDING ENVELOPE: A home's exterior shell - walls, floors, ceiling, windows, doors, roof and foundation.
• HERS INDEX: The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) scoring system to measure the energy efficiency of a home.  The lower a home's HERS Index, the more energy efficient it is.  Each 1-point decrease in the HERS Index corresponds to a 1% reduction in energy consumption.
• ENERGY STAR: A joint program of the US Environmental Protection Agency and US Department of Energy to help save money and protect the environment. A new Chesmar Home is 27% more efficient than the standard by Energy Star.
• HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning.
• IAQ: Indoor Air Quality.
• IRC: International Residential Code. The standard construction rules used by builders.
• JUMP DUCT/RETURN AIR: Duct connecting a room to a common space or return air to balance pressure. It’s the thing that cuts down on wind noise and black lines in carpet under doors.
• LOW-E WINDOW: Low emissivity. Coated glass that reduces heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. It makes your home more comfortable and affordable to operate.
• VOC:  Volatile Organic Compounds are chemical solvents found especially in paints that emit odors and toxins into your home. (Low VOC paint means better indoor air quality).
• MERV: Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.
• PRESSURE BALANCING: Equalizing air pressure between rooms by adjusting air flow in supply and return ducts. (Jump Ducts/Return Air ensure that air moving into rooms equals the air moving out of rooms.)
• RADIANT BARRIER: Coating (that shiny silver stuff) on underside of roof decking that reduces heat gain in the summer.
• R-VALUE: Resistance-Value. The resistance a material has to heat flow. (Hint – You want this one really high.)
• SEER: Seasonal Energy Efficient Rating. Measures the efficiency of the air conditioning system. (The higher the HVAC system SEER rating the lower your electric bill.)
• SHGC: Solar Heat Gain Co-efficient. Solar radiation entering a home through the windows.
• U-VALUE: A measure of heat transmission from inside to outside.