Green homes are an investment in your family’s or your employees’ wellbeing. Thanks to sustainable materials and superior building techniques, our custom homes, remodels, and commercial spaces go far beyond the standard. They provide lasting durability, healthier indoor air quality, and exceptional comfort while shrinking energy bills. You also gain the peace of mind that comes with more control over your energy costs — and more money staying in your bank account when the utility bill is due. Last but not least, by choosing to build green, you’re choosing to live responsibly in a whole new way — in a building that doesn’t waste energy or water and that is constructed with more sustainable materials.

Green homes are built/remodeled to improve all three. The building techniques and equipment we use significantly increase energy efficiency while helping prevent moisture from accumulating inside your walls (where it encourages mold and mildew to grow). And we don’t stop there. Since green homes have such a tight barrier to keep conditioned air in and outside air out, we also pay special attention to air circulation and controlled fresh air intake. This helps keep allergens and common chemicals (for instance, those released from some new furniture or from cleaning products) from building up indoors. Good indoor air quality can benefit your respiratory health, and is especially important if you have allergies or asthma. Learn more about the connection between energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and health effects with these resources from the EPA.

A high-performance home that is so energy efficient a renewable energy system could offset most or all the home’s annual energy use. A certified Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) also requires ENERGYSTAR and Indoor air PLUS certifications, as well as additional requirements, such as advanced moisture control, enhanced indoor air quality, non-toxic materials, and renewable energy readiness. ZERH homes are designed with climate responsiveness in mind, with construction practices that augment the durability of the home, reduce maintenance needs, and enable homes to withstand extreme temperatures and climate events. We certify all our new homes to this standard.

“Green home" can mean different things to different people. Generally, it means that a home is designed and built in such a way as to be better for people and the environment. A variety of industry programs, rating systems, and laws use the following principles in creating their specific definitions of “green homes.”

• Site Location: Select the proper site and take into consideration any existing buildings, infrastructure, access roads, and parking, as well as the orientation of features for passive and active solar installations. Additionally, identify any high-priority resources for conservation during the building process, such as trees, waterways, and animal habitats.
• Energy Use: Overall energy loads can be reduced through the right insulation, efficient equipment and lighting, and careful detailing of the entire building envelope. Renewable energy systems (such as solar panels or wind turbines) should be used whenever feasible. Renewable energy can also be purchased from local utilities.
• Water Management: Water resources should be protected by controlling or treating building site runoff, implementing water conservation features in the design of the home, and minimizing water leaks through proper inspection during construction.
• Environmentally Preferable Products Use: Whenever possible, products used in construction should be salvaged, made with recycled content, durable and low maintenance, naturally or minimally processed, and energy/water-efficient to reduce overall pollution and waste associated with the home.
• Indoor Air Quality: Projects should consider how to appropriately ventilate the space and control moisture to help prevent mold and mildew, and use low- or no VOC (volatile organic compounds) products to improve the overall indoor air quality.
• Optimized Operations and Maintenance Practices: Materials and systems that require less water, energy, and chemicals/cleaners to maintain can help occupants reduce their environmental impact and costs across the life of the home.

Do green buildings have to look a certain way?

No, they don’t have to look a certain way. They just need to look like you! When green buildings look very different from traditional buildings, it’s because their owners want the difference to be obvious. Some sustainable building materials do look different than traditional ones, but we work closely with you to make sure your project reflects your style and values.

Do green homes cost more to build than regular houses?

The reality is green homes often cost more up front, while providing greater value and lower maintenance for the owners across the life of the home. For example, while features like solar panels and window upgrades may cost more at the outset, they make a larger difference in your utility costs over time.

What’s wrong with the way regular houses are built?

Even as local building codes improve, conventional building techniques can still be wasteful and carried out in haphazard ways. As a result, you can end up with a house that feels drafty or uncomfortable, is expensive to heat and cool, and even traps mold in the walls or circulates allergens that your family will breathe in. Green building practices tend to pay more attention to how the different parts of your home work together and with the natural environment to help your home reach its full potential for durability, comfort, and efficiency. Green building practices also tend to promote respect for the land and consider how to conserve trees, soil, and natural features around the home.

Do I need a specialist to build a green home?

In theory, any contractor can build a green home. In practice, there’s a steep learning curve when it comes to the building science required for high-performance, sustainable construction. That’s why working with a builder who specializes in green homes makes a difference.

At Ferrier Homes, we’ve been incorporating the core principles and advanced technologies of green building into our projects from day one. With decades of experience, we take a holistic, systems-based approach — ensuring every element of your home works together to deliver superior energy efficiency, indoor air quality, long-term durability, and exceptional comfort.

We also help you weigh the long-term value of performance-based upgrades. Many of the homes we build achieve a 5- to 10-year payback period when you factor in energy and water savings, reduced maintenance, and lower infrastructure costs. For example, investing more in your home’s envelope — the components that prevent air leakage and maintain consistent indoor temperatures — can allow you to install a smaller, more efficient HVAC system.

As your partner in the building process, we’ll guide you in selecting the products and techniques that match your goals and help you make cost-effective decisions.

“The choice in how to build each home and what products to use is always customer-driven, and cost is a primary consideration.” — Don Ferrier, Building Savvy Magazine

Whether you’re building new or planning a green remodel, working with a specialist ensures the results you’re after: a home that’s better for your family, your wallet, and the environment.

What if I already own a house? Can I make that green too?

Yes! While some parts of your home’s structure are more of a challenge to change, we can incorporate many upgrades into a remodel project that will make a house more energy efficient, comfortable, healthy, and durable. Examples of these types of projects include upgrading windows and HVAC equipment, adding insulation and fixing air leaks, and switching to low-VOC paints and finishes.

Are features like solar panels absolutely necessary?

Although they epitomize the goals of sustainable building, solar panels are not prerequisites for green building. Green building covers dozens of areas, including everything from site selection and heating systems to interior finishes and solar orientation. Our new builds are certified to the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home™ national requirements. This means if you choose to add solar at a later date, your home has the structure and the wiring to support it — and you should be able to offset most, if not all, of your energy use.

Where does Ferrier build?

Our primary market is the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth area. However, we travel throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado installing structural insulated panels. If your project falls outside this service area, our consulting services are a great alternative.

I live outside your service territory. Do you offer consulting services?

Yes, we do. Contact us about our consulting services if you are located outside our service territory and want a firm steeped in green building to evaluate your plans and provide design input or make suggestions about product specifications.

I’ve already engaged a builder. How can I engage Ferrier Companies to get your input?

If you live inside our service territory and have already engaged a builder who is not as well versed in sustainable techniques, we can provide a third-party inspection of your builder’s work.

I’m interested in a lot, but not sure if it’s suitable. How can you help?

If you are local to us, we can provide a site consultation for a lot you’re interested in to help you determine how well suited it is for a green building, what infrastructure would be needed, etc.

How long has Ferrier been building green?

Although no one knew to call it green back then, we built our first highly energy-efficient home in 1984. We were hooked and became a lifelong student of green home construction. Since then, we’ve been passionate about building green — and about learning the latest techniques and technologies that help us create spaces that feel good, look good, and save resources.

• ENERGY STAR® Certified Homes: Homes that earn this certification, which was created by the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy, are 20% more energy efficient on average than typical new homes.
• Indoor airPLUS: This label created by the EPA shows that a home meets the ENERGY STAR certification standard for energy efficiency and it goes above and beyond to protect indoor air quality from mold, pollutants, and pests.
• WaterSense: This label created by the EPA is proof that a home will help you save water inside and outside, without sacrificing comfort or performance.
• DOE Zero Energy Ready Home™ Homes certified to meet the Zero Energy Ready requirements are 40%-50% more energy efficient than a typical new home, and most (if not all) energy used there can be offset with solar or another form of renewable energy.
• LEED®“Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” is a globally recognized green building rating system for residential and commercial spaces. It accounts for sustainable building materials, energy and water use, indoor air quality, and more.

Whether you’re ready to break ground on your new project or are hoping to build in the future, these links can assist you in your green building journey:

• American Lung Association: Find trustworthy advice for protecting the air your family breathes at homes from allergens and pollutants.
• Efficient Windows Collaborative: Learn why and how to select high-performance windows.
• FischerSIPS: Learn from our preferred manufacturer how structural insulated panels (SIPs) help us build high-performance homes with eco-friendly designs.
• Green Building Advisor: Access a comprehensive resource library for designing, building, and remodeling green homes.
• Green Built North Texas: Get to know this partnership of local home builders and industry professionals committed to creating awareness about higher-performance, lower-impact homes in North Central Texas.
• Green Home Guide: Browse this USGBC resource for homeowners and renters to learn more about what makes a home environmentally responsible and healthier for your family.
• Heather's Home Video Take a behind-the-scenes look at the construction concepts that went into building Texas’ first LEED Platinum Home.
• HERS Index: Understand what a “home energy rating” is and why it’s important to know your home’s HERS Index score.
• Insulated Concrete Form Association: Learn why insulated concrete forms are a sustainable building material.
• National Association of Home Builders: Check out these resources on buying, building, and remodeling your home.
• National Center for Healthy Housing: Understand the connection between energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and your health.
• Not So Big House: Check out architect and author Sarah Susanka’s principles for right-sizing your home to truly fit how you live — and to help you gain comfort while living more sustainably.
• Structural Insulated Panel Association: Read about the benefits of SIPs, a sustainable building material we use to craft spaces that require less energy to keep their occupants comfortable.
• Get acquainted with the creators of LEED certification — a nonprofit community of leaders working to make green buildings accessible to everyone within a generation.

Green homes are an investment in your family’s or your employees’ wellbeing. Thanks to sustainable materials and superior building techniques, our custom homes, remodels, and commercial spaces go far beyond the standard. They provide lasting durability, healthier indoor air quality, and exceptional comfort while shrinking energy bills. You also gain the peace of mind that comes with more control over your energy costs — and more money staying in your bank account when the utility bill is due. Last but not least, by choosing to build green, you’re choosing to live responsibly in a whole new way — in a building that doesn’t waste energy or water and that is constructed with more sustainable materials.

Green homes are built/remodeled to improve all three. The building techniques and equipment we use significantly increase energy efficiency while helping prevent moisture from accumulating inside your walls (where it encourages mold and mildew to grow). And we don’t stop there. Since green homes have such a tight barrier to keep conditioned air in and outside air out, we also pay special attention to air circulation and controlled fresh air intake. This helps keep allergens and common chemicals (for instance, those released from some new furniture or from cleaning products) from building up indoors. Good indoor air quality can benefit your respiratory health, and is especially important if you have allergies or asthma. Learn more about the connection between energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and health effects with these resources from the EPA.

How much more efficient they are depends on which third-party program standards are used. For instance, ENERGY STAR® certified homes are at least 10% more efficient than homes built to code, although they’re closer to 20% more efficient on average. Homes that meet the DOE Zero Energy Ready™ national requirements are about 40%-50% more efficient. We build our new homes to meet both of these standards. What are your goals for energy efficiency? Let’s talk, and together we’ll make a plan for achieving your goals for a custom new home, remodel, or commercial space.

“Green home" can mean different things to different people. Generally, it means that a home is designed and built in such a way as to be better for people and the environment. A variety of industry programs, rating systems, and laws use the following principles in creating their specific definitions of “green homes.”

• Site Location: Select the proper site and take into consideration any existing buildings, infrastructure, access roads, and parking, as well as the orientation of features for passive and active solar installations. Additionally, identify any high-priority resources for conservation during the building process, such as trees, waterways, and animal habitats.
• Energy Use: Overall energy loads can be reduced through the right insulation, efficient equipment and lighting, and careful detailing of the entire building envelope. Renewable energy systems (such as solar panels or wind turbines) should be used whenever feasible. Renewable energy can also be purchased from local utilities.
• Water Management: Water resources should be protected by controlling or treating building site runoff, implementing water conservation features in the design of the home, and minimizing water leaks through proper inspection during construction.
• Environmentally Preferable Products Use: Whenever possible, products used in construction should be salvaged, made with recycled content, durable and low maintenance, naturally or minimally processed, and energy/water-efficient to reduce overall pollution and waste associated with the home.
• Indoor Air Quality: Projects should consider how to appropriately ventilate the space and control moisture to help prevent mold and mildew, and use low- or no VOC (volatile organic compounds) products to improve the overall indoor air quality.
• Optimized Operations and Maintenance Practices: Materials and systems that require less water, energy, and chemicals/cleaners to maintain can help occupants reduce their environmental impact and costs across the life of the home.

Do green buildings have to look a certain way?

No, they don’t have to look a certain way. They just need to look like you! When green buildings look very different from traditional buildings, it’s because their owners want the difference to be obvious. Some sustainable building materials do look different than traditional ones, but we work closely with you to make sure your project reflects your style and values.

Do green homes cost more to build than regular houses?

The reality is green homes often cost more up front, while providing greater value and lower maintenance for the owners across the life of the home. For example, while features like solar panels and window upgrades may cost more at the outset, they make a larger difference in your utility costs over time.

Do I need a specialist to build a green house?

In theory, any contractor can build a green house, but in practice there is a learning curve in understanding the building science. We’ve been incorporating the basic principles and high performance technologies of green building into all of our projects from day one.

It comes down to asking yourself, “Do I want to invest in performance-based items that will save me energy and water in the long term?” When taking utility costs, maintenance costs, durability, etc. into account, many of the homes we build have a 5 to 10-year payback period. As your partner in the building process, we will work with you to make sure you are comfortable with the payback period on the investment you make in your home, and we’ll identify specific products and building techniques that fit your goals. We can also help determine how you may be able to save money in certain areas of your build because you’re investing in more energy-efficient options overall. For example, if you invest more in your home’s envelope — the elements of your home that keep conditioned air inside and prevent outside air from coming in — you may be able to incorporate a smaller AC unit, thus capturing savings and resulting in lower infrastructure costs.

“The choice in how to build each home and what products to use is always customer-driven, and cost is a primary consideration.” ~ Don Ferrier, Building Savvy Magazine

What’s wrong with the way regular houses are built?

Even as local building codes improve, conventional building techniques can still be wasteful and carried out in haphazard ways. As a result, you can end up with a house that feels drafty or uncomfortable, is expensive to heat and cool, and even traps mold in the walls or circulates allergens that your family will breathe in. Green building practices tend to pay more attention to how the different parts of your home work together and with the natural environment to help your home reach its full potential for durability, comfort, and efficiency. Green building practices also tend to promote respect for the land and consider how to conserve trees, soil, and natural features around the home.

Do I need a specialist to build a green home?

In theory, any contractor can build a green home or manage a green home remodel. In practice, however, there is a learning curve for understanding the necessary building science. We’ve been incorporating the basic principles and high-performance technologies of green building into our projects for decades. We take a holistic, systems approach to your project because we know how important it is that all the elements of your home fit together in just the right way so you get the highest efficiency, exceptional comfort, healthier indoor air, and long-lasting durability.

What if I already own a house? Can I make that green too?

Yes! While some parts of your home’s structure are more of a challenge to change, we can incorporate many upgrades into a remodel project that will make a house more energy efficient, comfortable, healthy, and durable. Examples of these types of projects include upgrading windows and HVAC equipment, adding insulation and fixing air leaks, and switching to low-VOC paints and finishes.

Are features like solar panels absolutely necessary?

Although they epitomize the goals of sustainable building, solar panels are not prerequisites for green building. Green building covers dozens of areas, including everything from site selection and heating systems to interior finishes and solar orientation. Our new builds are certified to the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home™ national requirements. This means if you choose to add solar at a later date, your home has the structure and the wiring to support it — and you should be able to offset most, if not all, of your energy use.

Where does Ferrier build?

Our primary market is the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth area. However, we travel throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado installing structural insulated panels. If your project falls outside this service area, our consulting services are a great alternative.

I live outside your service territory. Do you offer consulting services?

Yes, we do. Contact us about our consulting services if you are located outside our service territory and want a firm steeped in green building to evaluate your plans and provide design input or make suggestions about product specifications.

I’ve already engaged a builder. How can I engage Ferrier Companies to get your input?

If you live inside our service territory and have already engaged a builder who is not as well versed in sustainable techniques, we can provide a third-party inspection of your builder’s work.

I’m interested in a lot, but not sure if it’s suitable. How can you help?

If you are local to us, we can provide a site consultation for a lot you’re interested in to help you determine how well suited it is for a green building, what infrastructure would be needed, etc.

How long has Ferrier been building green?

Although no one knew to call it green back then, we built our first highly energy-efficient home in 1984. We were hooked and became a lifelong student of green home construction. Since then, we’ve been passionate about building green — and about learning the latest techniques and technologies that help us create spaces that feel good, look good, and save resources.

• ENERGY STAR® Certified Homes: Homes that earn this certification, which was created by the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy, are 20% more energy efficient on average than typical new homes.
• Indoor airPLUS: This label created by the EPA shows that a home meets the ENERGY STAR certification standard for energy efficiency and it goes above and beyond to protect indoor air quality from mold, pollutants, and pests.
• WaterSense: This label created by the EPA is proof that a home will help you save water inside and outside, without sacrificing comfort or performance.
• DOE Zero Energy Ready Home™ Homes certified to meet the Zero Energy Ready requirements are 40%-50% more energy efficient than a typical new home, and most (if not all) energy used there can be offset with solar or another form of renewable energy.
• LEED®“Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” is a globally recognized green building rating system for residential and commercial spaces. It accounts for sustainable building materials, energy and water use, indoor air quality, and more.

Additional Resources + Helpful Links

Whether you’re ready to break ground on your new project or are hoping to build in the future, these links can assist you in your green building journey:

• American Lung Association: Find trustworthy advice for protecting the air your family breathes at homes from allergens and pollutants.
• Efficient Windows Collaborative: Learn why and how to select high-performance windows.
• FischerSIPS: Learn from our preferred manufacturer how structural insulated panels (SIPs) help us build high-performance homes with eco-friendly designs.
• Green Building Advisor: Access a comprehensive resource library for designing, building, and remodeling green homes.
• Green Built North Texas: Get to know this partnership of local home builders and industry professionals committed to creating awareness about higher-performance, lower-impact homes in North Central Texas.
• Green Home Guide: Browse this USGBC resource for homeowners and renters to learn more about what makes a home environmentally responsible and healthier for your family.
• Heather's Home Video Take a behind-the-scenes look at the construction concepts that went into building Texas’ first LEED Platinum Home.
• HERS Index: Understand what a “home energy rating” is and why it’s important to know your home’s HERS Index score.
• Insulated Concrete Form Association: Learn why insulated concrete forms are a sustainable building material.
• National Association of Home Builders: Check out these resources on buying, building, and remodeling your home.
• National Center for Healthy Housing: Understand the connection between energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and your health.
• Not So Big House: Check out architect and author Sarah Susanka’s principles for right-sizing your home to truly fit how you live — and to help you gain comfort while living more sustainably.
• Structural Insulated Panel Association: Read about the benefits of SIPs, a sustainable building material we use to craft spaces that require less energy to keep their occupants comfortable.
• Get acquainted with the creators of LEED certification — a nonprofit community of leaders working to make green buildings accessible to everyone within a generation.

Green homes are an investment in your family’s or your employees’ wellbeing. Thanks to sustainable materials and superior building techniques, our custom homes, remodels, and commercial spaces go far beyond the standard. They provide lasting durability, healthier indoor air quality, and exceptional comfort while shrinking energy bills. You also gain the peace of mind that comes with more control over your energy costs — and more money staying in your bank account when the utility bill is due. Last but not least, by choosing to build green, you’re choosing to live responsibly in a whole new way — in a building that doesn’t waste energy or water and that is constructed with more sustainable materials.

Green homes are built/remodeled to improve all three. The building techniques and equipment we use significantly increase energy efficiency while helping prevent moisture from accumulating inside your walls (where it encourages mold and mildew to grow). And we don’t stop there. Since green homes have such a tight barrier to keep conditioned air in and outside air out, we also pay special attention to air circulation and controlled fresh air intake. This helps keep allergens and common chemicals (for instance, those released from some new furniture or from cleaning products) from building up indoors. Good indoor air quality can benefit your respiratory health, and is especially important if you have allergies or asthma. Learn more about the connection between energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and health effects with these resources from the EPA.

How much more efficient they are depends on which third-party program standards are used. For instance, ENERGY STAR® certified homes are at least 10% more efficient than homes built to code, although they’re closer to 20% more efficient on average. Homes that meet the DOE Zero Energy Ready™ national requirements are about 40%-50% more efficient. We build our new homes to meet both of these standards. What are your goals for energy efficiency? Let’s talk, and together we’ll make a plan for achieving your goals for a custom new home, remodel, or commercial space.

“Green home" can mean different things to different people. Generally, it means that a home is designed and built in such a way as to be better for people and the environment. A variety of industry programs, rating systems, and laws use the following principles in creating their specific definitions of “green homes.”

• Site Location: Select the proper site and take into consideration any existing buildings, infrastructure, access roads, and parking, as well as the orientation of features for passive and active solar installations. Additionally, identify any high-priority resources for conservation during the building process, such as trees, waterways, and animal habitats.
• Energy Use: Overall energy loads can be reduced through the right insulation, efficient equipment and lighting, and careful detailing of the entire building envelope. Renewable energy systems (such as solar panels or wind turbines) should be used whenever feasible. Renewable energy can also be purchased from local utilities.
• Water Management: Water resources should be protected by controlling or treating building site runoff, implementing water conservation features in the design of the home, and minimizing water leaks through proper inspection during construction.
• Environmentally Preferable Products Use: Whenever possible, products used in construction should be salvaged, made with recycled content, durable and low maintenance, naturally or minimally processed, and energy/water-efficient to reduce overall pollution and waste associated with the home.
• Indoor Air Quality: Projects should consider how to appropriately ventilate the space and control moisture to help prevent mold and mildew, and use low- or no VOC (volatile organic compounds) products to improve the overall indoor air quality.
• Optimized Operations and Maintenance Practices: Materials and systems that require less water, energy, and chemicals/cleaners to maintain can help occupants reduce their environmental impact and costs across the life of the home.

Do green buildings have to look a certain way?

No, they don’t have to look a certain way. They just need to look like you! When green buildings look very different from traditional buildings, it’s because their owners want the difference to be obvious. Some sustainable building materials do look different than traditional ones, but we work closely with you to make sure your project reflects your style and values.

Do green homes cost more to build than regular houses?

The reality is green homes often cost more up front, while providing greater value and lower maintenance for the owners across the life of the home. For example, while features like solar panels and window upgrades may cost more at the outset, they make a larger difference in your utility costs over time.

Do I need a specialist to build a green house?

In theory, any contractor can build a green house, but in practice there is a learning curve in understanding the building science. We’ve been incorporating the basic principles and high performance technologies of green building into all of our projects from day one.

It comes down to asking yourself, “Do I want to invest in performance-based items that will save me energy and water in the long term?” When taking utility costs, maintenance costs, durability, etc. into account, many of the homes we build have a 5 to 10-year payback period. As your partner in the building process, we will work with you to make sure you are comfortable with the payback period on the investment you make in your home, and we’ll identify specific products and building techniques that fit your goals. We can also help determine how you may be able to save money in certain areas of your build because you’re investing in more energy-efficient options overall. For example, if you invest more in your home’s envelope — the elements of your home that keep conditioned air inside and prevent outside air from coming in — you may be able to incorporate a smaller AC unit, thus capturing savings and resulting in lower infrastructure costs.

“The choice in how to build each home and what products to use is always customer-driven, and cost is a primary consideration.” ~ Don Ferrier, Building Savvy Magazine

What’s wrong with the way regular houses are built?

Even as local building codes improve, conventional building techniques can still be wasteful and carried out in haphazard ways. As a result, you can end up with a house that feels drafty or uncomfortable, is expensive to heat and cool, and even traps mold in the walls or circulates allergens that your family will breathe in. Green building practices tend to pay more attention to how the different parts of your home work together and with the natural environment to help your home reach its full potential for durability, comfort, and efficiency. Green building practices also tend to promote respect for the land and consider how to conserve trees, soil, and natural features around the home.

Do I need a specialist to build a green home?

In theory, any contractor can build a green home or manage a green home remodel. In practice, however, there is a learning curve for understanding the necessary building science. We’ve been incorporating the basic principles and high-performance technologies of green building into our projects for decades. We take a holistic, systems approach to your project because we know how important it is that all the elements of your home fit together in just the right way so you get the highest efficiency, exceptional comfort, healthier indoor air, and long-lasting durability.

What if I already own a house? Can I make that green too?

Yes! While some parts of your home’s structure are more of a challenge to change, we can incorporate many upgrades into a remodel project that will make a house more energy efficient, comfortable, healthy, and durable. Examples of these types of projects include upgrading windows and HVAC equipment, adding insulation and fixing air leaks, and switching to low-VOC paints and finishes.

Are features like solar panels absolutely necessary?

Although they epitomize the goals of sustainable building, solar panels are not prerequisites for green building. Green building covers dozens of areas, including everything from site selection and heating systems to interior finishes and solar orientation. Our new builds are certified to the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home™ national requirements. This means if you choose to add solar at a later date, your home has the structure and the wiring to support it — and you should be able to offset most, if not all, of your energy use.

Where does Ferrier build?

Our primary market is the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth area. However, we travel throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado installing structural insulated panels. If your project falls outside this service area, our consulting services are a great alternative.

I live outside your service territory. Do you offer consulting services?

Yes, we do. Contact us about our consulting services if you are located outside our service territory and want a firm steeped in green building to evaluate your plans and provide design input or make suggestions about product specifications.

I’ve already engaged a builder. How can I engage Ferrier Companies to get your input?

If you live inside our service territory and have already engaged a builder who is not as well versed in sustainable techniques, we can provide a third-party inspection of your builder’s work.

I’m interested in a lot, but not sure if it’s suitable. How can you help?

If you are local to us, we can provide a site consultation for a lot you’re interested in to help you determine how well suited it is for a green building, what infrastructure would be needed, etc.

How long has Ferrier been building green?

Although no one knew to call it green back then, we built our first highly energy-efficient home in 1984. We were hooked and became a lifelong student of green home construction. Since then, we’ve been passionate about building green — and about learning the latest techniques and technologies that help us create spaces that feel good, look good, and save resources.

• ENERGY STAR® Certified Homes: Homes that earn this certification, which was created by the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy, are 20% more energy efficient on average than typical new homes.
• Indoor airPLUS: This label created by the EPA shows that a home meets the ENERGY STAR certification standard for energy efficiency and it goes above and beyond to protect indoor air quality from mold, pollutants, and pests.
• WaterSense: This label created by the EPA is proof that a home will help you save water inside and outside, without sacrificing comfort or performance.
• DOE Zero Energy Ready Home™ Homes certified to meet the Zero Energy Ready requirements are 40%-50% more energy efficient than a typical new home, and most (if not all) energy used there can be offset with solar or another form of renewable energy.
• LEED®“Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” is a globally recognized green building rating system for residential and commercial spaces. It accounts for sustainable building materials, energy and water use, indoor air quality, and more.

Additional Resources + Helpful Links

Whether you’re ready to break ground on your new project or are hoping to build in the future, these links can assist you in your green building journey:

• American Lung Association: Find trustworthy advice for protecting the air your family breathes at homes from allergens and pollutants.
• Efficient Windows Collaborative: Learn why and how to select high-performance windows.
• FischerSIPS: Learn from our preferred manufacturer how structural insulated panels (SIPs) help us build high-performance homes with eco-friendly designs.
• Green Building Advisor: Access a comprehensive resource library for designing, building, and remodeling green homes.
• Green Built North Texas: Get to know this partnership of local home builders and industry professionals committed to creating awareness about higher-performance, lower-impact homes in North Central Texas.
• Green Home Guide: Browse this USGBC resource for homeowners and renters to learn more about what makes a home environmentally responsible and healthier for your family.
• Heather's Home Video Take a behind-the-scenes look at the construction concepts that went into building Texas’ first LEED Platinum Home.
• HERS Index: Understand what a “home energy rating” is and why it’s important to know your home’s HERS Index score.
• Insulated Concrete Form Association: Learn why insulated concrete forms are a sustainable building material.
• National Association of Home Builders: Check out these resources on buying, building, and remodeling your home.
• National Center for Healthy Housing: Understand the connection between energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and your health.
• Not So Big House: Check out architect and author Sarah Susanka’s principles for right-sizing your home to truly fit how you live — and to help you gain comfort while living more sustainably.
• Structural Insulated Panel Association: Read about the benefits of SIPs, a sustainable building material we use to craft spaces that require less energy to keep their occupants comfortable.
• LEED Get acquainted with the creators of LEED certification — a nonprofit community of leaders working to make green buildings accessible to everyone within a generation.