DCGreen Maine

2008-04-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

DCgreen Programs: “SHADES OF GREEN”

2008-04-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

DCgreen offers three levels of green construction.
Most advocates of green building concepts agree that to build green costs more and insist that the increase expense enhances the homes livability, improves indoor air quality, reduces the annual cost of operation and increases the resale value when you sell.
DCgreen agrees with all the above but maintains building green can, but does not necessarily need to cost more. In fact, we guarantee that DCgreen won’t cost more than typical home construction. By selecting one of our “shades of green” you, the home owner, can determine the level of investment and still live green by choosing one of the following methods: “Centsible” DCgreen, “Classic” DCgreen or “Certified” DCgreen.

Background
DCampbell learned during the first energy crisis in 1976 to develop building concepts which reduced reliance on non-renewable energy sources. With the cost of oil increasing and the threat of foreign control in the 1970’s, Dick Campbell became a leader in solar energy efficient housing. His work quickly brought recognition with national design and construction grants, multiple university and state educational displays and presentations and several energy home open houses.
Dick Campbell’s company slogan brought instant awareness to the opportunity of alternative heating solutions: “Passive Solar Works in Maine.”
Dick Campbell designed and built 2,500 square foot passive solar homes heated with heat-collecting solariums, backup wood and electric heat and gas on-demand hot water heaters that cost the homeowner as little as 1.5 cords of wood annually and $5.00 per person per month for domestic hot water.
DCampbell and DCgreen celebrate the recent resurgence of public awareness and acceptance of the new “green” movement and the realization that renewable energy for the home works.

“Centsible” DCgreen
DCampbell implements an array of cost-effective energy savings concepts proven over 35 years to save money and lower energy costs annually.
Starting with good design, proper site orientation, sensible site development, materials selection, on-site product management and creative construction detailing, DCgreen and DCampbell guarantees your project will cost the same or less than the average price of a new home.
By working closely with Dick Campbell and the team at DCampbell you will benefit from 35 years and two generations of proven energy efficient housing.
WE GUARANTEE TO SHOW YOU HOW LIVING GREEN WILL ACTUALLY SAVE YOU MONEY AND PUT GREEN BACK INTO YOUR WALLET!

“Classic” DCgreen
“Classic” DCgreen encourages homeowners to create a comfortable budget by selecting from a list of concept opportunities that satisfy your interests.
Whether your interest is in sustainable development, cost control, environmental awareness, energy independence or simply in doing the right thing, “Classic” DCgreen provides you line-by-line options to select and build the DCgreen home of your choice.
The professionals at DCampbell in conjunction with Dick Campbell and his many years of experience will help you accomplish your exciting DCgreen building project.
WE GUARANTEEE TO SHOW YOU HOW LIVING GREEN WILL COST YOU LESS IN YOUR UTILITY BILLS, WILL SAVE YOU TIME AND WILL PRODIVE YOU WITH A HOME THAT GIVES BACK TO THE EARTH AS WELL AS TO YOU!

“Certified” DCgreen
DCampbell and DCgreen embrace green building methods and encourage homeowners to select third-party certification of our buildings and your new home.
LEED (US Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Program) for Homes is the best known third-party certification program. It is a voluntary program that certifies buildings based on a point system. Some 64 points are available and, once tallied, put a building in one of four levels of LEED certification: Basic LEED Certification with 26- 32 points, LEED Certified Silver with 33-38 points, LEED Certified Gold with 39-41 points and LEED Certified Platinum with 52-69 points.
The National Association of Home Builders also has Model Green Building Guidelines which review building concepts and document compliance with the National Green Build Standard. Energy Star Homes and many other emerging standards are also becoming common practice.
With DCampbell and DCgreen, you can go forward to meet the challenges of rising costs, energy independence and a sustainable planet. DCampbell and our trained professionals will work closely with each client to guide you as you determine your level of DCgreen building solution. Every option presented along this journey is priced separately and offers both cost and benefit so that you can decide the “shade” of your DCgreen home.
We at DCampbell, Family of Companies, look forward to an exciting relationship as together we meet the challenges of constructing your green home.

Richard H. Campbell
DCampbell, Family of Companies
Design / Build Contractors

Patten Site Quarry Stones

2008-04-13T07:41:00.001-07:00

Reclaimed stones from the Patten site to be used in the chimney, walkways, and entrance.

Passive Solar Backup Heating Systems

At Dick Campbell LLC we have been refining our passive solar designs for 35 years. We have found that a well-designed home, as a system, becomes the primary heating concept. Complex backup heat is not as necessary and can become a less expensive line item in the construction budget.

We discuss backup heating systems for our most efficient passive solar homes with every client early in the design process. Unlike the designs of past decades where some rooms could only be used half the year, we have incorporated year-round spaces into the basic design of our homes to allow clients the benefit of living in their total building footprint.

We have built 2,500 square foot homes where the only heat source other than the sun was a medium-sized air tight wood stove which burned a cord and a half of wood annually--or about two L.L. Bean wood totes of wood per day. Backup heat was a three-foot strip of electric heat in each bathroom. A Paloma gas, on-demand water heater supplied all the hot water needs and cost about $5.00 per person per month. If homeowners had less interest in burning wood, they would install one or two small direct-vent gas wall heaters to maintain a satisfactory temperature within the home throughout the day. We found the homes maintained temperatures of about 50 degrees when left without heat for about a week in mid winter.

With technology advances in alternative energy systems, people have become excited about the innovative opportunities to separate their home from nonrenewable resources. Duel purpose heat sources such as wood stoves, pellet stoves and Russian fireplaces offer the most efficient heat sources and add to the comfort and atmosphere of passive solar living.

We also stage systems for future installation if owners have an interest in living with the home before purchasing total systems. For instance, the installation of radiant tubing in floors to be hooked up at a future date, chase ways for future wind or solar installations, space for energy storage, chimneys and other provisions can be built at the time of construction.

Decisions to build using on or off public utility grid homes, total self-sufficient buildings using maximum water management and other environmentally-friendly concepts that respect our planet, save money and create energy independence are always up to the homeowner. We also offer our clients solar, wind and geothermal alternative energy systems for space heating and domestic hot water to provide energy sources for their homes. Although the generation component is renewable and has no future cost, the system has a significant initial cost, has ongoing maintenance needs and occasionally becomes more complicated than some clients desire.

Backup heating systems while important don’t have to be complicated and expensive. These decisions are generally defined by the design and determined by the construction budget process. Dick Campbell LLC has a responsibility to offer all these opportunities to clients to guide them in making the best choice based on their interests and needs.

Ultimately the design and budgeting process at Dick Campbell LLC will provide the blueprint which defines the concepts employed in your DCgreen home. Energy efficiency and comfortable living is the goal of all our designs. We provide you with all the necessary information so you can make the decision best suited for your lifestyle.