Aiki Homes, Inc. News

More info on Tour of Built Green Custom Home of the Year

Casey — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:00:00

Please click below to see the flier on the Holcomb Tour
Sunday May 16th, 10am-2pm.

Tour an Award Winning Built Green Home

Casey — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 07:00:00

Robin and Annette Holcomb, project homeowners, built this home with a commitment to “living light.” The lot was selected for its environmental advantages and infill location. Located blocks from Fairhaven- one of Bellingham’s most active commercial centers, community parks and trail, and transit lines; the Holcomb’s will be able to walk, bike or bus to nearly all essential services. The Holcomb’s also wanted to strive for energy independence. While it is not a Net Zero home, this house has been designed for that potential with no fossil fuels used onsite.

As one of Bellingham’s green building pioneers, Aiki Homes welcomed the commitment of the Holcomb’s to energy and water efficiency, sustainable resources, and community education. All facets of sustainable building have been applied to this project. It has been touted a model for green development.

There are many features that make this home unique, including the first permitting rainwater harvesting system in the City of Bellingham, a solar Photovoltaic System on a unique infill lot located in charming Fairhaven.

Subcontractors and others will be on hand to answer any questions.

Read a profile of this home at Homes Across America-Resource Efficient Homes here

Please contact with any questions you may have or call 360-715-0700

Holcomb House wins prestigous award!

Casey Curtis — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:00:00

There will be much more about this later.

Photo below of the kitchen.

Happy Holidays!

Aiki Homes — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:00:00

Check out our Holiday Card here

Yes, We Are Building Homes!

Casey Curtis — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00

We currently have 3 custom homes in process.

One is aiming to be LEED Platinum and is on 17th St. in Fairhaven. Unique green features include Solar PV Panels and the first permitted indoor rainwater system (in Bellingham).

Another home is a 14 sided Deltec Home (a kit from Ashville, NC) on Noon Rd.These homes are Prefabricated, Hurricane Resistant and Storm Resistant Houses. Rob, from Aiki Homes went to Ashville for Deltec training per the homeowners request. More about Deltec Homes click here.

Lastly a Built Green and ENERGY STAR Certified single family residence near Loomis Trail on Castlerock Dr.

Energy Efficiency & Green Building Incentives & Rebates

Casey — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:00:00

Read the article here.

Whatcom County's 1st LEED Gold Certified Home!

Casey — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:00:00

The Marshak home located at 1807 McKenzie Ave. in Fairhaven was awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for achievement in green homebuilding and design. LEED for Homes is a green home certification system for assuring homes are designed and built to be energy- and resource-efficient and healthy for occupants. LEED certified homes complete a technically rigorous process that includes a home energy (HERS) rating and onsite inspections to verify that the home is built to be energy and water efficient, environmentally sound, and a healthier place to live.

The Marshak home is the FIRST home to be certified LEED Gold in Whatcom County. The home was built by Aiki Homes, which is known for their expertise in building LEED homes. Aiki Homes has a LEED home in process currently in Fairhaven, which is aiming for Platinum, the highest LEED rating. Green homes have substantially lower utility bills [1]and may qualify for advantageous financing, lower insurance rates and government incentives. Through their commitment to green homebuilding, Aiki Homes is helping to keep homeownership affordable.

“Aiki Homes continues to influence and inspire the design/build community in Bellingham by pioneering Zero Waste strategies and efficient construction techniques demonstrated in the Marshak home. They are strong advocates for green building and continue to positively collaborate with local government in efforts to streamline green building.”

-Nick Hartrich, Green Building Program Manager, Sustainable Connections

Specific information about the home Located on an infill lot a few blocks from Downtown Fairhaven, The Marshak home is within walking distance of public transportation, shops and other conveniences. The home focuses heavily on reducing energy use. The two bedroom project features a 1.8 kilowatt solar PV (photovoltaic) system, solar hot water, radiant heat, low-e argon windows, high efficiency lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, blown-in and spray foam insulation, No VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, Low VOC finishes and sealers, marmoleum and concrete flooring and energy efficient appliances.

About USGBC

The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit membership organization whose vision is a sustainable built environment within a generation. Since USGBC’s founding in 1993, the Council has grown to more than 20,000 member companies and organizations and a comprehensive suite of LEED® green building certification systems. Its membership includes corporations, builders, universities, government agencies, and other nonprofit organizations all sharing the Council’s commitment to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. For more information, please visit www.usgbc.org.

About LEED® for Homes

LEED® for Homes is a third-party certification system for building and designing high-performance green homes that are energy-and-resource-efficient and healthy for its occupants. Developed and administered by USGBC, LEED for Homes awards points to projects in eight categories of environmental performance: Innovation & Design Process, Location & Linkages, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, and Awareness & Education. To date, more than 2,200 homes have been LEED-certified, and over 14,600 are registered and under development. For more information, visit www.thegreenhomeguide.org.

[1] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR (2007). Residential Home Improvement: An Overview of Energy Use and Energy Efficient Opportunities (August 2007).

October Newsletter

Casey — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:00:00

Read our newly launched newsletter here.

Towards Zero Waste Founding Partner

Casey Curtis — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:00:00

Aiki Homes is a proud founding partner in Sustainable Connections' "Towards Zero Waste" Campaign. Read more about it here

Falll Green Living Home Expo & Bus Tour

Casey Curtis — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:00:00

Saturday, October 17^th, the Built Green® community of builders, remodelers, and associate members and the WSU Extension Carbon Masters, Master Gardeners, WSU Beach Watchers, and Master Composters will be hosting an all-day event of workshops and an expo, featuring hands on sessions for the general public to learn more about Whatcom County’s green living landscape! Come learn how to improve your indoor air quality, remodel or build a green home, solar electric or passive solar options, low carbon cooking and cleaning, rainbarrel installation and even about the Tax Incentives behind energy efficiency upgrades! Information regarding NorthWest EnergyStar Rebates from Puget Sound Energy and Cascade Natural Gas will also be available. You can stay for the whole day, or just visit the companies and local organizations at the Expo! This event will be held at 1650 Baker Creek Place, across from the Baker Creek Animal Shelter in the Irongate District.

Meet over 40 local Built Green:

Builders, Remodelers, Associates & Building professionals

Green Living Home Expo:

Where: Building Industry Association of Whatcom County 1650 Baker Creek Place, 98226
(click here for directions on Mapquest)
When: Saturday October 17th, 10am - 5pm
Cost: Donation $5 per person or $10 per family

Workshops Include:

Low Carbon Living Home
Energy Rebates & Tax Incentives
Watershed Awareness
Green Builder Q & A
Green Remodel Q & A
Green Landscaping
Activites for kids!

Green Home & Building Bus Tour:

Where: Building Industry Association of Whatcom County 1650 Baker Creek Place, 98226When: Sunday October 18th, Meet @ BIA at 12.
Cost: $30 individual/$50-per couple. Lunch Provided!

Sunday, October 18^th will feature the Second Annual Built Green Home and Building Bus Tour, with stops at six local “green” projects, some under construction and several completed projects as well. Visit with the general contractors for the projects, as well as business and home owners, and have the chance to ask technical, detailed questions, such as: benefits, cost, and purpose behind construction features!