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The Center For Excellence In Housing is an information resource on home building practices, and is dedicated to informing consumers and highlighting advancements in new home building technologies.

Through Discover New Homes.com we provide a clearinghouse for news about building products and practices because we believe that consumers deserve homes with the highest standards of quality, durability, energy efficiency, environmental performance, safety and livability.

Our online resources are designed to highlight the evolution of homebuilding science, technology and products. Site topics include weatherproofing and building envelope research, healthy indoor air initiatives, low-VOC products, noise reduction building advancements, energy efficiency research, universal and aging-in-place design principles, and building products with superior R-values.

We encourage consumers to conduct a meaningful analysis of home building products and practices before they buy. Home buyers should have access to information enabling them to identify builders and companies who exceed minimum standards and provide added value, superior materials and warrantees. Research has consistently shown that energy efficient homes with “green” features can be more cost-effective to own and operate, in addition to being healthier to live in and more protective of the environment.

In support of our mission to inform consumers and encourage quality building practices, we access a host of sources on an ongoing basis, including the U.S. Greenbuilding Council, the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), the Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (CREST), the Energy Efficient Building Association and the National Institute of Building Sciences.

A Basic Checklist For Talking To Your Builder

Before you buy, ask about:
  • Energy efficient homes. Builders can qualify through participation in a nationally established program such as Energy Star, through local affiliations such as a utility company's energy efficient building program, or through specific materials selection for housing components.
  • Look for innovative, efficient use of space in the home's interior layout.
  • Ask about the use of advanced building envelope technologies and materials (ex: higher R-values, insulation, and wind-resistance features).
  • Check to see if your builder offers extended home warranties on materials and/or workmanship.
  • Look for energy efficient appliances, lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation and water heating systems, and windows.
  • Ask about “green building” aspects of the home and the community.
  • Indoor air quality improvement features, such as low-VOC cabinets, carpets, carpet padding and paints, are increasingly important.
  • Environmentally friendly landscaping (ex: xeriscaping, and the use of deciduous trees for shade in summer) can reduce energy bills.
  • Ask about upgrades to minimum building code standards. (Exceeding building codes in one or more of the home's components.)

We’re currently seeking news about indoor air quality initiatives and legislation. (Please use the Contact form on this site to send an email.)


Mary Eaddy giving a television interview about the Center.
(L to R) Mary Eaddy, Senator Luke Rankin, and Ann Mezian at a legislative event.
Center for Excellence in Housing, Inc.
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