Good design should, by nature, be economically accessible. Part of FHC's decision to become EarthCraft House™ and ENERGY STAR certified was to lower the cost of a home, not only initially, but well into its future.

The following chart from the EarthCraft House website provides one example of how houses built to quality standards can be cost effective.

Affordability encompasses the initial cost of a home as well as the long-term, life-time costs of home maintenance. Homes that are poorly insulated, improperly sealed and cheaply constructed can end up costing a homeowner more, over the long-run, in heating costs, repairs, replacements, mold, and health-issues.

FHC works hard to improve the quality of the communities it serves. Fauquier Housing will face around a 3% increase in upfront building costs to comply with EarthCraft House standards. FHC is committed to providing its clients the benefits of sustainable design, and is seeking creative funding and payment mechanisms to finance efforts like Fauquier Housing's committment to green building standards.

Chart illustrating how energy efficiency improvements can generate cost savings over the life of a house.