A Glimpse at Our Green Credentials

Finish Werks is an Energy Star Partner

Since 2008, we have been certifying homes to EPA's ENERGY STAR standard. No other modular builder in Maryland (and most smaller custom builders) can touch our record.

Energy Star certified new homes are designed and built to standards well above most other homes on the market today, delivering energy efficiency savings of up to 30% when compared to typical new homes. A new home that has earned the ENERGY STAR label has undergone a process of inspections, testing, and verification to meet strict requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), delivering better quality, better comfort, and better durability.

Learn more about the benefits of a home built better from the ground up with our ENERGY STAR Certified New Homes infographic.

For a full explanation straight from Energy Star, read Energy Efficient Home Features.

Finish Werks is a ZER Homes Partner

In 2009 we certified our first Zero Energy Ready (ZER) home, then called, Challenge Home certification, created by the U.S. Dept. of Energy. This takes Energy Star certification to the next level - truly high performance construction that is ready to go "Net Zero".

A DOE Zero Energy Ready Home is a high performance home which is so energy efficient, that a renewable energy system can offset all or most of its annual energy consumption. In other words, ZER Homes are so well built that all you need is a reasonably sized Solar PV system installed to reduce your electric bills to $0.

ZER Homes are verified by a qualified third-party and are at least 40%-50% more energy efficient than a typical new home. This generally corresponds to a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index Score in the low- to mid-50s, depending on the size of the home and region in which it is built.DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes are verified by a qualified third-party and are at least 40%-50% more energy efficient than a typical new home. This generally corresponds to a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index Score in the low- to mid-50s, depending on the size of the home and region in which it is built.

Finish Werks is a RESNET EnergySmart Builder

We signed the Memorandum Of Understanding for EnergySmart Builder Designation the moment RESNET created the program. Why? Because we feel that importantly that RESNET be supported because they created the most widely accepted Home Energy Rating system.

A home energy rating is an analysis of a home’s energy efficiency; as per the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index. The HERS Index is the nationally recognized scoring system for measuring a home’s energy performance. Based on the results, an energy-rated home will receive a HERS Index Score.

The HERS Index Score can be described as a sort of miles-per-gallon (MPG) sticker for houses, giving prospective buyers and homeowners an insight as to how the home ranks in terms of energy efficiency. In addition to a HERS Index Score, a home energy rating also provides the homeowner with a detailed report regarding energy problems in the house.

How does a new home become Indoor airPLUS qualified?

A builder must first design a home to earn the ENERGY STAR label — the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. The result is a home that is significantly more energy efficient than a home built to minimum code, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

To earn the Indoor airPLUS label, the builder then adds up to 30 home design and construction features to help protect qualified homes from moisture and mold, pests, combustion gases, and other airborne pollutants. Before the home officially earns the Indoor airPLUS label, it is inspected by an independent third-party to ensure compliance with EPA’s rigorous guidelines and specifications.

The EPA released the following video about the new Indoor airPLUS Program: