Ruch Builders, LLC

ENERGY STAR and Energy Smart Custom Homes ~ Jon Ruch - CGB, CGP
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 Energy Smart

Custom Homes

A Professional Approach

 

OUR APPROACH: At Ruch Builders, LLC our approach to custom home building is owner involvement, after all, it is your home. Your home is professionally managed in every aspect of the building process. This includes collecting quotes and generating the project costs, managing trades people, scheduling, verifying correctness of work and code compliance, and working with government agencies to make sure your home is completed within their guidelines. We are professionals that work with you to build your custom home.


HOW IS THIS BETTER? You are hiring a professional that looks after your interest. In this type of relationship you see what the costs are. You know where your money goes. You see how you are doing on the budget. Your house file is completely open to you.

HOW ARE WE PAID? We are paid a construction based management fee which is established upfront and does not change during the project*. Why is this significant? You have freedom to change your mind without worrying about up charges for Change Orders or fees changing if the price of the project changes. If you decide to upgrade from carpet to tile in a room, you don’t pay extra management fees. You simply pay the difference for the material and/or labor for the change. This gives you budgetary freedom to change things as your home is built. It is worth your while to hire a Professional Builder.

 

 
*Fee will not change unless the heated/cooled square footage of the house changes

 LOCAL HOME DESIGNERS

 

Ralph Jones Home Plans

 

Gardo Design Group - Green Designs

About the Builder Jon Ruch - CGB, CGP 

 

Jon Ruch is the owner of Ruch Builders, LLC, a company that builds Energy Efficient homes. He is active in serving the home building industry and served as President of the Fayette County Home Builders Association and currently serves as Chairman of the Green Committee for the Memphis Area HBA.

 

Energy Efficiency is the building focus of Ruch Builders. Jon Ruch is certified by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) as a Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) and a Certified Green Professional (CGP). Ruch Builders is a US Department of Energy ENERGY STAR Partner and an EPA Indoor Air Quality Partner. The focus is to provide energy efficient homes using our best practices to accomplish this.

 

Jon is the father of five young boys and has been married to his wife for 11 wonderful years. “Blessed is the man whose quiver is full” Psalms 127. Jon has a Mechanical Engineering Degree with an emphasis in Energy Systems from Tennessee Technological University and holds an Engineering Intern certificate from the State of Tennessee. This technical training is valuable in better understanding the “how to” of energy efficiency in the building process.

 

 
Ruch Builders, LLC, Jon Ruch, CGB, CGP
Direct 901-258-8820
Fax 901-867-5305
PO Box 941 - Arlington, TN 38002
JonRuch@RuchBuilders.com

  

 

  Energy Smart Checklist:

The Base Line Standard Expectations for Every Home

 

  • Provide permanent moisture barrier on structural sheathing on all houses constructed. All seams to be taped for house wrap and thermal bridging products. If spray on moisture barrier is used such as StoGuard ® the proper mil thickness will be verified. (PAINT DOES NOT PROVIDE A MOISTURE BARRIER)

  • Use only Energy Star rated windows as defined by geographical area on houses constructed. Exception allowed for passive solar designs where the SHGC may be above 0.35 to meet design requirements and for decorative windows.

  • Complete duct blast and blower door test on all houses constructed. Duct blast leakage not to exceed 5% and home air turn over to target 0.35 ACH50.

  • Complete Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score on all houses constructed.

  • Use radiant barrier roof decking on all houses constructed. Exceptions when including the attic as part of the thermal envelope.

  • Seal the thermal envelope on all houses constructed using best practices to achieve and verify. This includes caulking sill plate to foundation, taping and caulking windows and doors, sealing penetrations in thermal envelope, sealing penetrations in top plates, etc.

  • Using heat pumps technology on all houses built. HVAC system to be designed in accordance with ASHREA Manual J.

  • Hard pipe on all HVAC ducting up to within 5 feet of vent with mastic seal on all joints. NO DUCT tape to be use to seal duct work. Ducting size shall be determined by ASHREA or ACCA Manual D. 

  • R8 duct insulation on all houses built. 

  • Cellulose, foam or comparable insulation for wall and ceilings on all house constructed. No fiberglass insulation to be used on the thermal envelope.

  • R4 insulation between studs on hot water lines on all house constructed.

  • Water resistant exterior trim and cornice on all houses constructed such as Miratec, Fypon, Hardie Board, Azec, Naturally durable lumber, etc.

  • Windows to be made of a no rot material or clad on all houses constructed

  • Photo documentation of house construction.

  • Window and door installation to be in accordance with manufactures standard on all houses constructed.

  • Water efficient fixtures certified as WaterSense ® to be installed.

  • No tankless ELECTRIC waters heaters to be used on any house as they consume excess amounts of energy.

  • Water heaters to be Energy Star ® rated on all houses built.

  • Energy Star ® dishwasher, refrigerator, and other appliances as available.

  • Proper draining and landscaping on all houses constructed to keep water out.

  • All recess can lighting penetrating the thermal envelope to be insulated air sealed cans (ICAT). 

  • General focus is to be open to conservation methods of building that in the end serve the homeowner above other interest.

  • Fully implement Energy Star Version 3 on all homes built after 2012.

  • Ruch Builders, LLC to participate in CE within the home building industry on an on going basis.