Energy Star 
 
 Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley is proud to be a certified ENERGY STAR builder. While building ENERGY STAR homes incurs slightly elevated building costs, the long term affordablity of utilities in addition to the homeowners mortgage payment is very important. Our affiliate is able to build to ENERGY STAR standards in large part due to donations from large and small businesses such as DOW, Whirlpool, Flathead Electric, and Bridgewater Inovative builders.
To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes. More specifically here is a list of specifications that the homes currently being built in Columbia Falls will meet or exceed. 
·      3' vertical  R-10 to the exterior side of frost wall

·         R-10 under entire slab

·         All ducts run in conditioned space

·         R-38 foam at cantilever; R-21 rims including shared wall

·         Above grade walls: R-21 blown with R-10 rigid to exterior; adiabatic wall is 2x4 with spray foam

·         windows and doors as specified

·         vaulted ceiling insulation is R-49 spray foam

·         Heat pump and hot water heater as specified

·         Infiltration rate set at 4 ACH 50

·         Exhaust ventilation at 43 CFM

·         Flathead Electric rate= .062 KWh

·         Heat pump =2.5 cop

 

Montana Home Grant

Our affiliate recieves funding in the amount of $1,500 from Flathead Electric Co-op for every new electrically heated home built to certain green building standards.