Building Sustainable, Healthier Homes For Our Clients
Mantell-Hecathorn Builders Leads The Industry in Southwest Colorado
Hunter Mantell-Hecathorn is the only Builder in Colorado to earn the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Designation of Master Certified Green Professional.
As of 2025, Hunter is the only builder in Colorado and 105 nationwide to hold this accreditation. Each home goes through rigorous third-party testing certification under one or more of the following programs: 100% ENERGY STAR, NAHB Green, DOE Zero Energy Ready, EPA Indoor Air Quality Plus, EPA WaterSense.
HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDERS
Your new home will be fully certified, meeting the rigorous guidelines for three prominent high-performance home programs:
WHY BUY A ZERO ENERGY READY HOME?
Every Zero Energy Ready Home offers a cost-effective, high performance package of energy savings, comfort, health, and durability unparalleled in today’s marketplace.
HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT
Every DOE Zero Energy Ready Home has a comprehensive package of measures to minimize dangerous pollutants, provide continuous fresh air, and effectively filter the air you breathe.
COMFORT PLUS
Superior insulation, windows, air sealing and space conditioning systems included in every DOE Zero Energy Ready Home surround you with even temperatures, low-humidity, and quiet in every room on every floor.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Every DOE Zero Energy Ready Home begins with solid building science specified by ENERGY STAR for Homes, and then adds advanced technologies and practices from DOE’s worldclass research program, Building America.
ULTRA EFFICIENT
Compared to a typical home, an ultra efficient Zero Energy Ready Home is inexpensive to own. In fact, every DOE Zero Energy Ready Home is so energy efficient, a small solar electric system can easily offset most, or all, of your annual energy consumption. We call this Zero Net-Energy Ready.
QUALITY BUILT
Advanced construction practices and technologies are specified for every DOE Zero Energy Ready Home. Then they are enforced by independent verifiers with detailed checklists and prescribed diagnostics.
DURABILITY
The advanced levels of energy savings, comfort, health, durability, quality and future performance in every DOE Zero Energy Ready Home provide value that will stand the test of time, and will meet and exceed forthcoming code requirements.
"Zero Energy Ready homes are the future of US housing, and innovators like Mantell-Hecathorn Builders are leading the way for the entire industry. Zero Energy Ready homes provide a vastly superior homeowner experience at a lower ownership cost - and an experience that all Americans should want in their next home."
Sam Rashkin,
Chief Architect for the US Department of Energy Building Technologies Office
Healthy Indoor Air
A public health crisis and widespread fires underline the importance of indoor air quality more than ever. Families have had to spend more time in their homes this year than they likely ever anticipated. So what considerations should homeowners be taking into account when it comes to indoor air quality standards?
Third-Party Tested and Verified Homes
We are proud to offer new homes that have earned the ENERGY STAR® label. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are independently tested and verified by a third-party Home Energy Rater to ensure they meet ENERGY STAR energy efficiency guidelines. These homes are better for the environment and better for you.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
- Heat Recovery Ventilation systems are installed to ensure the air you breath is fresh, filtered and in constant circulation. This is essential in a tightly built home.
- Ensure proper ventilation and duct runs at kitchens and baths with ENERGY STAR fans.
- Proper separation of combustion exhaust from within the living space by using direct vent fireplaces and tank less water heaters.
- Garage ventilation system to remove car exhaust, with an airtight seal from the home.
Increased Comfort
- A home built to ENERGY STAR standards will use far less energy than a standard “code” home.
- Mantell-Hecathorn Certified homes typically use a minimum of 30% less energy
- Independent third party inspection and testing of insulation quality, and sealed duct systems. Ducts tested for less than 5% leakage compared to typical home duct leakage of 25%.
- Blower door test for airtight construction <2 ACH, which is equivalent to a 8"x8" hole. A typical home has air leakage equivalent to a 3'x3' hole. No drafts = comfortable home
Lower Utility Bills, Better Building Materials & Techniques
- We use spray foam and blown-in fiberglass insulation, for our minimum R-60 ceilings, R-30 floors, and R-25 to R-42 walls, R-20 foundation; sealed crawlspace and building envelope.
- ENERGY STAR windows (typically triple pane) save energy and provide more UV protection, U-value of <.30.
- ENERGY STAR appliances achieve greater efficiency in energy and water use.
- ENERGY STAR HVAC system provides quality and efficiency; 95% efficiency standard.
- Sealed duct work, third-party tested.
- Engineered and kiln-dried lumber is stronger and more stable.
- 50 year roof material for longevity and reliability.
- Radiant Floor Heating systems with a 96% efficient boiler.
- Light fixtures that conform to Energy Star standards.
- Photovoltaic panels to offset heating or electrical use - optional.
- Passive solar design incorporated when possible to help reduce heat load.
Increased Resale Value
- The benefits of Certified E-Star and DOE Net Zero Ready homes extend well beyond the immediate attributes of a healthier living environment. Homeowner awareness of the desirability of a home built with green building techniques and quality will continue to grow in the future, and the resale value of those green-built homes will be enhanced well beyond the homes built without a green rating. The Colorado MLS now includes fields for green ratings, and requires 3rd party verified information on a home’s Certification and HERS rating.
Quality Assurance
- Third party certification requires a project to be independently tested and documented for energy efficiency and healthier, more durable construction materials, rather than just relying on a builder’s word. Our Mesa Verde Passive Solar custom home was third-party tested and earned the highest level of Emerald in the NAHB Green Standard Program and was tested to have a HERS rating of 28, which will translate into a cost savings of 72%! The custom home we completed in November 2011 was ENERGY STAR certified and the second M-H home in Southwest Colorado to attain a Gold Level in the NAHB Green Standard Program. The home received a HERS score of 61, which means a cost savings of 39%, and earned this exemplary rating without using photovoltaics or other alternative energy sources.
*3rd Party Verification means a home energy rating professional apart from your builder evaluated plans, inspected construction practices, completed detailed checklists, and performed diagnostic testing to ensure your home's performance.
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Contact Info
Phone:
970-259-5130
Email:
office@m-hbuilders.com
1854 Main Avenue, Suite 102, Durango, Colorado 81301