Sunstone Homes Launches "Planet Forward" Concept in Tampa Bay Area to Raise Awareness of Attainable Green Housing

Second affordable green home to be unveiled Thursday, February 2nd.

2012-01-30

TAMPA, FL, January 30, 2012 (Press-News.org) The owners of Sunstone Homes, Brian Lamb and Joe Gibbons, have launched "Planet Forward" Concept Green Housing and are offering affordable, attainable "Net Zero" homes throughout the Tampa Bay region. Sensing a need to pursue healthier living options, Sunstone provides affordability to buyers with the availability to grow a local commitment to their Planet Forward Concept.

You can't open the newspaper today or listen to a report on the television without hearing about a new "green" product or idea. From biofuel to reusable grocery bags and biodegradable trash bags, there are new choices becoming available every day for choosing environmentally friendly products. Finally, there is a real solution in the Tampa Bay Area for building and buying attainable "Net Zero" Green Homes.

As marketing agents for green homes, Sunstone has introduced new construction options in the community that promote healthier living, environmentally friendly and financially responsible homes. All of Sunstone's homes maintain the most popular features that buyers want while adding benefits such as energy efficiency as well as being resource friendly and even being financially sensible.

Sunstone Homes brings together a talented group of homebuilding professionals that offers their customers over 50 years of combined experience. They specialize in net zero attainable homes that utilize energy efficient building materials, design and technologies. Net Zero provides 60 to 70 percent less energy use than in a conventional home. Sunstone's Planet Forward Homes are constructed with an envelope that prevents air from gaining access to the interior of the home, except in controlled amounts. Based on recent design audits, the typical estimated average monthly power bill for one of their 1,500 square foot homes is less than $70.

Brian Lamb and Joe Gibbons encourage and accelerate the global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. They have joined forces with Martin Gramatica to implement Gramatica's SIP's (Structural Insulated Panels) along with energy efficient windows and doors. Due to the R-Value and efficiencies of the building envelope, the HVAC needs and specialty system are about 50% of typical cost. Other improvements such as LED/CFL lighting are included as well as walls that are rated to withstand winds exceeding over 150mph.

In all models, the base Green level comes standard with the infrastructure to accommodate solar based upgrades based on consumer demand and affordability. The base Green model is ENERGY STAR rated and allows homeowners an average savings of around $1,000 on their spending towards a "net zero" energy utility when compared to a normal home of its size.

Sunstone offers different levels of green construction and realized that the change in the housing market required a change from builders and that some consumers would be intrigued by the opportunity to build green. Their goal is to lead the change in how communities are developed so that sustainable resources are available for future generations and to promote the Planet Forward. The best part is, customers will love the homes as well as the savings.

There are green home purchase options for all home buyers. Current options in Hillsborough and Pinellas County range from $150,000 to $1.5 million. According to Brian Lamb, they are also offering custom homes options with their green home-building techniques. "I'm proud to represent builders who are proactively becoming a part of responsible homebuilding. The response from homebuyers has been tremendous. The number one reason we hear from buyers about buying green is healthier living. They want to improve indoor air quality to reduce asthma and other respiratory illnesses. The second is the financial aspect of reduced monthly costs."

It is Sunstone's commitment to fully embrace sustainable building practices and to use environmental friendly materials and products whenever possible. As a family-value driven company, their promise is to experience their family values: dedication, loyalty, accountability and ongoing allegiance.

For more information about Sunstone Homes and the Planet Forward Concept, visit their website at www.sunstonehomesfl.com or contact Brian Lamb at blamb@dms-us.com or call 813-239-4924.

Meritus Corp is a comprehensive real estate development, building and management company. For further information please contact us at 813.873.7300.

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