Apple Tree Homes President, Greg Rau, is a Certified Green Professional.

Apple Tree Homes is a leader in using sustainable building products, renewable resources and energy efficient products to provide innovative and cost-effective options for our clients.

At Apple Tree Homes, we are continually looking for new green products for our clients and look forward to new opportunities to improve green building in the Lawrence area.

At Apple Tree Homes, we are experienced in installing and servicing a wide range of green build products. We have incorporated the following products into our custom homes and remodel projects.

  • Geothermal Heating – a system that uses ground loops buried in the earth to circulate water and uses the earth’s temperature to heat the water therefore reducing heating costs and energy. The system can also be tied to the hot water heater and will give free hot water during some seasons of the year.
  • Icynene Spray Foam Insulation – lowers air infiltration to .10%
  • Structural insulated Panels – exterior wall framing constructed of two sheets of oriented strand board (OSB) sandwiching a foam core. The panels give a very high R-value and almost zero outside air infiltration.
  • Quick-Growing Wood Products – such as Bamboo, Lyptus, and cork which can be used for flooring and cabinetry
  • Energy Efficient Windows – featuring double and triple glazing with argon-filled gases and low E coatings (excellent ratings for light/heat allowed through the window)
  • LED Light Bulbs – light bulb that can be used in any light fixture normally handling an incandescent light bulb and greatly reduces energy use and has long life span.
  • Recycled Insulation – such as blown-in cellulose which is a recycled newspaper product
  • High Efficiency Fireplaces – such as direct vent fireplaces which vents outside and doesn’t draw any air from inside the home and results in higher efficiency than typical furnaces a decade ago.
  • High Efficiency Appliances – such as furnaces, air conditioners, washers, dryers, and dishwashers with Energy Star Ratings.
  • Marmoleum – recycled flooring product similar to linoleum
  • Rainwater Reclamation – system of reusing rainwater for gardening
  • Native Plant Landscaping – using drought resistant native plants, perennial ground cover, and grasses such as turf-type buffalo grass which requires no watering and very minimal mowing.

One of our homes was featured on the Lawrence Sustainable Homes Tour. Our tour home included the following green build products:

Energy efficient products

  • Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) – exterior wall framing constructed of two sheets of oriented strand board (OSB) sandwiching a foam core. The panels give a very high R-value and almost zero outside air infiltration.
  • High Efficiency Furnace – use outside air for combustion and are able to achieve efficiency ratings of over 96%.
  • R48 Insulation – blown in blanket of R48 insulation in attic space and use of sips panels in roof structure to achieve energy efficient cathedral ceilings
  • Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) – pour-in-place foam foundation which achieves high energy efficiency in the basement walls.

Renewable Products

  • Bamboo – fast-growing, easily renewable wood used as flooring
  • Marmoleum – recycled flooring product similar to linoleum
  • Front Porch and Decking – manmade product using recycled wood pulp to create a long- lasting, rot-proof product