Better Way to Build with Better Way Builders
Troy Libbra and his partner, Bill Seniker of Seniker-Edwards Century 21, have stepped up to the plate amidst the energy crisis with their company, Better Way Builders. Troy was a realtor for Seniker-Edwards when they developed the concept to build a completely “green” subdivision in Brighton. Instead of outsourcing the building, Troy had the interest to start a new company in partnership with Seniker-Edwards that would find a “better way” to build new homes and remodel existing homes. Thus, Better Way builders was born.
Troy was born and raised in Litchfield and still resides there with his two children, a 16-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter.
The motivation: To find an energy-conscious, yet structurally-sound way to build new homes in this time of higher electric and natural gas prices, as well as preserve as much of the environment as possible and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The goal: To build a home that is self-sustaining during power outages, that has the possibility of withstanding a tornado or other extreme weather condition and has little or no effect on the environment.
Troy research alternative building methods for six months before starting this endeavor with Better Way Builders two years ago. He found a home energy auditor out of Edwardsville that helped him learn the energy-efficient building process. Their first project in Staunton was the first 5-star plus Energy Star rated home in Illinois.
Troy’s “pro-educational” approach in this process is most refreshing considering the nature of many present-day builders. In some instances, builders fail to tell the customer about mistakes made in the building process, which can compromise the future integrity of the home and incur unnecessary costs in the future for the homebuyer. Troy would rather educate the homebuyer regarding all necessary aspects of the process, including even the material used on the jobsite during construction. While rock is usually a quick, but costly way to prepare surfaces for foot and vehicle traffic, a more cost-effective, environmentally-friendly way is to use natural bedding acquired from local tree trimming/removal companies. The wood chips are use to make paths are the jobsite and as they absorb into the ground, it is actually beneficial for the soil. “It’s a natural way to use a product that’s readily available and good for the environment..we’re reusing it so essentially we’re using a recycled component.”
“There’s so much waste on a construction site…you spend $300 or $400 on a dumpster and all they do is haul it off and it sits in a landfill.”
“One of the good things about our systems is that we don’t have the waste that a traditional stick-built home has. A good contractor will reuse as much as possible, but with this system, we’ll come in and set this house and you probably can fit the waste of this house in a wheelbarrow.”
Better Way Builders builds all of their homes to Energy Star standards, which is the government-supported symbol for energy efficiency. A home that receives an ENERGY STAR rating is significantly more efficient, comfortable, and durable than a standard home. Having an ENERGY STAR rated home also means lower utility bills and helping to prevent greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the features in an ENERGY STAR home include tighter construction, effective insulation, high performance windows, efficient heating and cooling eq2uipment, and independent testing by a third-party to verify the home’s energy performance.
Some of the suppliers for Better Way Builders include Superior Walls by Precast Concrete Solutions constructs the basements, Thermocore of Missouri for the wall panel systems, and Simonton Windows which provides windows for the home.
Superior Walls constructs an amazingly energy-efficient basement system with built-in insulation and interlocking panels, which reduce the chance of water or air leaks. These panels are set on a rock base, rather than a poured concrete base, which allows any water leakage to drain into ground and be excreted through one of two draining systems. All of these panels come with chase holes for all the wiring and plumbing and ready for drywall after they are set. Troy likens the construction of these panels to a puzzle, with each piece fitting perfectly into the next.
The wall panels used from Thermocore of Missouri are far superior to that of traditionally-constructed homes in energy-efficiency, strength, and fire resistancy.
Thermocore panels are foam core panels are used in the roof, exterior wall and floor construction. Each wall panel provides superior support and insulation and is composed of polyurethane insulated core with interior and exterior skins of oriented strand board. The panels are manufactured by a foam injection process in which the foam bonds directly to the skins, providing the highest bond strength possible. Thermocore panels come complete with electrical conduit boxes, which are pre-installed, thereby saving considerable installation time.
Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STAR qualified replacement and new construction windows and doors, including a line of impact-resistance products. Simonton ranked “highest in Builder and Remodeler Satisfaction among Residential Window and Patio Door Manufactures” in the J.D Power and Associated 2008 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction Study.
It wouldn’t be appropriate to compare these products to the traditional materials or systems used by many homebuilders. These products should be considered “upgrades” from traditional building methods. If cost is an issue, you must look at the long-term effects that will result in this type of building. While the initial cost may be a little more, the amount saved in energy costs will more than pay for the extra building fees.
Better Way Builder’s current project on Delhi Rd. in Brighton will feature solar thermal panels on the roof, which will heat the water for all uses in the home including bathing, cooking, and most importantly, radiant floor heating in the basement. “This is a natural way to take advantage of the sun, which is a huge energy source right above us,” Troy commented. The house will be 3600+ square feet and cost just under $300,000, with solar panels and all energy-efficient equipment included. When the heat is regulated in the basement it becomes much easier to regulate the temperatures on the first and second floors. On one project, they were able to do drywall and mudding without any heat on due to the radiant heat, which is a system that is poured directly into the basement floor. Once you reach a desired temperature, the lack of leaks in the house are able to better hold the temperature, which saves in energy costs as well.
The Grant Subdivision in Brighton, just north of town on Hwy. 111, will feature the first “green” subdivision for Better Way Builders. The first house built in the subdivision wasn’t built o the ENERGY STAR standards, but all the rest will be. It is the hope of Troy Libbra to better educate our area regarding safer, greener and more efficient building practices with less construction waste. If you’re ready to get on board with the wave of the future, you can contact Troy at (618) 372-3121 or visit www.betterwaybuilders.com