|
| Call us at 505.259.6022 for assistance |
  Sunday, May 30, 2010 Builder Revives SolarCrest Name for New Selection of Energy-Efficient HomesBy Jane Mahoney When Joe Boyden started building homes in the East Mountains nearly 30 years ago, he came up with the company name of SolarCrest to describe his passive solar homes that captivated a generation of new home buyers. These days, builder Boyden has brought back the company's original moniker of SolarCrest to introduce his new line of certified green homes specializing in energy-efficient products, healthy construction materials and new and improved building techniques to create a tighter home. "Green is the right thing to do now," says Boyden, whose new homes are constructed to the green standards set forth by organizations ranging from the National Association of Home Builders to Build Green New Mexico and Energy Star. The new SolarCrest homes are inspected during the design and building process by an independent third party to ensure they meet construction standards and pass blower door and duct leakage testing. While high-quality materials have long been part of the custom and semi-custom homes constructed by Homes by Joe Boyden, the modern-day SolarCrest plans incorporate new products ranging from blown-in insulation to optional tankless water heaters - all in a smaller and more affordable home. The roof, for example, is an Energy Star-endorsed TPO system, a leak-proof rubberized product whose light finish reflects the sun's summer rays and adds to passive cooling. Boyden, with three decades of building experience, has added his own touches as well, such as a ceiling/roof system that incorporates the ductwork within conditioned space without sacrificing interior ceilings that rise to a roomy 9 or 10 feet in height. Details abound from arched doors to built-in nichos. The first of the SolarCrest homes resulted in a HERS rating of 60, meaning that the finished home is 40 percent more energy efficient than a home built to standard building code. "Some products are just better now," said Boyden, "and frankly, they're what buyers should be demanding." Increasingly savvy and well-educated buyers, he added, have learned that the slightly increased costs for green construction result in a product that will pay back the cost differential in reduced utility bills and the longevity of the home. The SolarCrest line, with more than a dozen adaptable floor plans, is taking root at the Bosque del Rio Grande community in Bernalillo, although Boyden says he would also build the homes on private lots. The gated Bosque del Rio Grande neighborhood, with about 60 available lots (some adjacent to the river) is connected via pleasant walkways between the homes and into the bosque. Nearly all have views of Sandia Crest. Available in both single-story and two-story floor plans, the SolarCrest homes range from about 1,300 to 2,238 square feet, with a base price span from $199,900 to $293,900. The Maple model, a 1,522-square-foot, three-bedroom/two-bath home, is a contemporary Southwestern open style with touches ranging from a stained concrete floor to a kiva-style fireplace. The model at 424 Avenida Los Suenos is in the Bosque del Rio Grande development off the southern end of Sheriff's Posse Road (across from Jackalope in Bernalillo.) Open-house hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The sales office can be reached at 259-6022. Boyden, a semi-custom builder with a flair and willingness for altering floor plans to meet buyer demand, has long been known for some of his detailed touches such as unique tile design in showers and backsplashes. The interior design talents of his wife and business partner, Lynn, are also part of the buyer's package. The scenic location at Bosque del Rio Grande is about 1.4 miles from the new Bernalillo Rail Runner station at N.M. 550, and a quarter-mile to a bicycle path. STANDARD FEATURES:
|
||||||||
| Home | Features | Plans | Contact Us | ||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
