Solar Panels
The price of energy continues to rise as the grid becomes outdated and unreliable. Why not use the sun ? Its free and the most powerful source of light available. Most of our homes are solar ready and often we can add a solar system for an additional fee.
TPO Roofing
TPO stands for Thermoplastic polyolefin single-ply roofing membranes are among the fastest growing commercial roofing products and have gained broad industry acceptance for their many performance and installation advantages. As demand increases for heat-reflective and energy efficient roofing systems, TPO single-ply roofing membranes continue to provide exceptional resistance to ultraviolet, ozone and chemical exposure.
Despite the higher cost Realty Buy Design tries to use this in a residential application wherever possible. We have done our own testing and found that it is about 70% cooler than a shingle roof and reflects most of the heat away from the house.
Mini Split AC
These systems are the most popular throughout the rest of the world, yet the US has been slow to catch on. A highly efficient system with each of the zones having its own thermostat, so you only need to condition that space when it is occupied, saving energy and money.
Since mini splits have no ducts, they avoid the energy losses associated with ductwork of central forced air systems. Duct losses can account for more than 30% of energy consumption for space conditioning, especially if the ducts are in an unconditioned space such as an attic.
While more expensive to install initially, the cost is quickly recovered due to their excellent energy efficiency.
Low-Flow Water Fixtures
Water is the most precious commodity on earth and we as humans place a demand on these resources that sometimes nature cant keep up.
These fixtures can provide the homeowner with significant savings and be a sustainable measure in your desire to preserve our natural resources while reducing your utility bills. Low flow fixtures commonly found in our homes are those such as toilets, faucet aerators, and shower heads
SIP Panels
We use Gramatica SIPS as they manufacture a high performance panelized building systems to create an extremely well insulated and air tight building envelope. This efficient building envelope is a critical and fundamental component of a green building. It serves as the platform for the integration of the remaining building systems, including heating and cooling equipment, photo-voltaic cells, insulation, and windows among others to achieve the highest possible performance in your building.
The advantages of SIPS, when compared to conventional home construction, include increased Energy Efficiency - Insulating value up to R-60 proving savings in electrical bills from 30% to 70%.
These panels have Superior Performance and Durability and are designed to last 10 to 12 times longer than traditional buildings and homes. The panels withstand wind load, lab tested up to 200 MPH, by creating a continuous load path from the foundation to the roof.
These panels are built with Titan XL, which act as a vapor barrier on both sides of the panels stopping any moisture flow. The insulation also stops any heat transfer. Thus, the exterior surface, which is exposed to the humid air, does not get below the dew point when the interior air is cool.
The provide a healthier Indoor Environment - Safer environment free from mold, mildew and other harmful airborne pollutants for building occupants.
Energy Star Appliances
We work closely with our appliance providers to have high efficiency appliances in our homes. Energy Star label indicates that the appliance is more energy efficient than the minimum guidelines
The appliances have Energy Guide labels as part of the federal government's Energy Star program, which helps consumers choose products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Rebates and recycling programs by local utility companies and government tax incentives can also help to lower the upfront cost of new energy-efficient appliances
Sustainable Bamboo Flooring
Bamboos include some of the fastest-growing plants in the world.
Bamboo flooring has a minimal environmental impact, due to the crop’s fast growing cycle and rhizomatous root system that doesn’t require replanting and helps control soil erosion after harvesting. Growing bamboo doesn’t require chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.
Using bamboo takes pressure off other wood species, especially exotics. Bamboo flooring is as durable as traditional hardwood flooring.
Bamboo flooring has a clean, contemporary look.
Properly finished bamboo flooring cleans easily with a mop and mild soap.
Like other hardwood flooring, bamboo may be refinished, depending on the thickness of the planks.
Low-E Windows
A low-e glass window (which stands for low emissivity) is simply a windowpane coated in microscopic layers of metallic oxides. The coating appears invisible to the naked eye, allowing as much natural light into the house as possible. However, though transparent, this coating also protects your home from unwanted UV rays which can burn your skin, fade your carpets, and damage your furniture. Plus, it also helps to control radiant heat (infrared light) as it enters and leaves a room. In other words, it keeps your house warmer in the winter by reflecting certain segments of the sun’s light spectrum back into the home, and cooler in the summer by reflecting particular sections outside. This saves on unnecessary utility expenses while creating a more comfortable living environment.
Tankless Hot water
Tankless water heaters, also known as demand-type or instantaneous water heaters, provide hot water only as it is needed. They don't produce the standby energy losses associated with storage water heaters, which can save you money. Here you'll find basic information about how they work, whether a tankless water heater might be right for your home, and what criteria to use when selecting the right model.
Tankless water heaters heat water directly without the use of a storage tank. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit. Either a gas burner or an electric element heats the water. As a result, tankless water heaters deliver a constant supply of hot water. You don't need to wait for a storage tank to fill up with enough hot water.
The initial cost of a tankless water heater is greater than that of a conventional storage water heater, but tankless water heaters will typically last longer and have lower operating and energy costs,
LED Lighting
The light-emitting diode (LED) is one of today's most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technologies. Quality LED light bulbs last longer, are more durable, and offer comparable or better light quality than other types of lighting.
LED is a highly energy efficient lighting technology, and has the potential to fundamentally change the future of lighting in the United States. Residential LEDs use at least 75% less energy, and last 25 times longer, than incandescent lighting. LEDs also emit very little heat and as a result aid in reducing your overall cooling bill.
New Plumbing
We are often asked why we replace all the cast iron pipes 100% of the time, well its easy!!!!
100% of the hundreds homes we have remodeled have had problems with the cast iron plumbing
If you live in Florida and your home or commercial property was built before 1975, there’s a good chance that it contains a cast iron plumbing system that has failed or is nearing failure. Do you want to be responsible for this cost often in the tens of thousands.
Cast iron pipes corrode and deteriorate over time. Pipe deterioration can lead to water damage, water back-ups in the house, clogged or slow drains, leaking sewage, pest infestation, and possible health risks to building occupants. Failure of cast iron pipes may cause property damage, but your insurance company could deny coverage, claiming a “water damage” exclusion. Most homeowners owners insurance policies require the insured to not only repair the visible water damage, but to also pull up and replace the cast iron plumbing with brand new modern plumbing.
If you tell you insurance company that Realty Buy Design Inc. has replaced all the plumbing, you may qualify for reduced premium’s.
While we at it we replaced all the Galvanized water piping. It was the state of the plumbing art in 1941. Galvanizing is a metallurgical process used over the past 150 years to coat steel or iron with zinc to inhibit corrosion. The life span of galvanized pipe used for water delivery is about 40 years.
The low water pressure is the main clue that your pipes need to be replaced. But we wouldn't be surprised if you have seen some discolored water when you turn on a faucet you've not used in a while. Or, worse, that there is an undetected pinhole leak somewhere in the system. Leaks usually show themselves at threaded joints because when pipes are threaded the galvanized coating is compromised, leaving the steel or iron exposed.
Low water pressure, discolored water and leaks are symptoms of a failing galvanized water system. Over time, corrosion builds up on the interior of the pipes and reduces the flow of water by more than half. This is the source of the reduced water pressure you're experiencing.
With a Realty Buy design home you can rest assured that you won’t have to deal with these issues.
New Eletrical
Many older homes and service buildings are not adequately wired to serve today's electrical loads. Some new homes fall into this category, too. The safety of the system depends first on how well you have maintained the safety valves — your electrical fuses or your circuit breakers. It also depends upon the care taken by the home builder or electrician in the placement of electric cables. All cables in attics should be placed on top of attic insulation materials. It is especially important that circuit conductors that carry near-capacity current are on top of attic insulation so that heat generated within cable jackets will not be trapped. Where a circuit carries near-full load (90 to 100 percent of rated capacity) for long periods of time and heat is trapped by attic insulation, the conductor insulation could deteriorate.