by Amyx Signature Homes

Coming to Alpine Point Fall 2011

2,675sqft
Master Suite + 3 Bedroom, 3 ½ Baths

Two Bedrooms with own bath plus master suite. The Arlington includes Den, Formal Dining, Nook, Great Room, Covered Patio and Large Garage.  House is designed as an old Traditional look and includes 8’ doors inside and out, stucco exterior for low maintenance, large utility room with mud room off garage,  walk-in shower in master bath, and walk-in pantry in kitchen. 4 car garage.

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Floor Plan & Amenities

• 3 bedroom + Master Suite
• 3.5 bath
• 2,765 sq. ft.
• Spacious 4 car garage

Contact:

Jeff Sherburne @ 208-941-5373
Tim Jessen @ 208-890-6369

Floor Plan & Amenities

• 3 bedroom+ Den+ Great Room
• 2.5 bath
• 2,296 sq. ft.
• Open kitchen, den and great room plan
• Covered back patio with a fireplace and decorative columns
• 3 Car Garage

Contact:

Jeff Sherburne @ 208-941-5373
Tim Jessen @ 208-890-6369

“Perfection…..Idaho Style”

Conveniently located off of Eagle Road between McMillan and Ustick Road’s, Alpine Point features fine homes in Meridian, Idaho. This unique development will combine community living with commercial convenience.

Meet the Developer

Community Tour

Features include:

• Rock solid construction
• Quality neighborhood planning
• Custom designs to suit your needs
• Committed personal service to accommodate exactly what you are looking for in a quality home for your family
• Only the best quality products go into your home – guaranteed.

View our homes.

This beautifully laid out 2,370+ sq. ft. home is as inviting as it is beautiful. Amyx Homes developed this spacious 3-bedrooms + master suite home ready for entertaining guests, raising a family, working from a second office, and simply living life to the fullest, while providing you a perfect combination of togetherness and privacy. Like all Amyx homes, this home has “room enough for four seasons of toys”. The optional bonus room can be transformed into a play room just for the kids, or a home theater, while the spacious 3-car garage has plenty of room for the ATV, boat, or snowmobiles.

View the photo gallery >

Floor Plan & Amenities

• 3 bedroom + Master Suite
• 2.5 bath
• 2,374 sq. ft.
• Optional bonus room
• Spacious 3 car garage

Contact:

Jeff Sherburne @ 208-941-5373
Tim Jessen @ 208-890-6369

The most effective strategy for improving household energy efficiency is to first target your home’s envelope—walls, attic, windows, and doors. Then improve the energy efficiency of systems, such as heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances. Finally, consider clean energy generation (solar, geothermal, and so on).
Make sure your walls and attic are well insulated.

Effective insulation slows the rate that heat flows out of the house in winter or into the house in summer, so less energy is required to heat or cool the house. If your house has no wall insulation, and it has more-or-less continuous wall cavities (such as conventional stud walls), blown-in insulation can greatly improve your comfort and save enough energy to be very cost-effective. (It rarely pays to blow additional insulation into already insulated walls.) If your attic is unfinished, it often pays to upgrade its insulation.

Your contractor’s expertise is more important than the insulation material you choose. Properly installed fiberglass, cellulose, and most foam insulation materials can all reduce the heat conduction of the completed wall system. The key is “properly installed.” Ideally, the contractor will use an infrared camera during or after installation to look for voids.

Upgrade or replace windows.

If your windows are old and leaky, it may be time to replace them with energy-efficient models or boost their efficiency with weatherstripping and storm windows. It is almost never cost-effective to replace windows just to save energy. According to EnergyStar.gov, replacing windows will save 7 to 24 percent of your heating and air-conditioning bills, but the larger savings would be associated with replacing single-glazed windows. However, if you are replacing windows for other reasons anyway, in many areas the additional cost of Energy Star–rated replacement windows is very modest, perhaps $15 per window. This upgrade would be cost-effective—and increase your comfort to boot.

Plant shade trees and shrubs around your house.

If your house is older, with relatively poor insulation and windows, good landscaping (particularly deciduous trees) can save energy, especially if planted on the house’s west side. In summer, the foliage blocks infrared radiation that would warm the house, while in winter the bare branches let this radiation come through. Of course, if your house has very good insulation and Energy Star or better windows, the effect is much, much smaller because the building shell itself is already blocking almost all the heat gain.

Replace an older furnace with a high-efficiency system.

If your furnace was built before 1992 and has a standing pilot, it probably wastes 35 percent of the fuel it uses, and it is probably near the end of its service life. In this case, in all but the warmest climates, ACEEE recommends early replacement with a condensing furnace with annual efficiency of at least 90 percent. This type of furnace wastes no more than 10 percent of the natural gas you buy, and may save you as much as 27 percent on your heating bill.

If your furnace was installed after 1991, it probably has an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of 80 percent, so the savings from replacement is smaller, but would be at least 11 percent if the unit is working perfectly. Your heating service technician or energy auditor may be able to help you determine the AFUE of your present system.

For houses with boilers and hot-water heat distribution (radiators, baseboard), the savings from a modern condensing boiler with outdoor reset or equivalent feedback controls can be substantially larger, since the condensing boilers allow reducing the circulating loop temperature almost all the time.

Improve the efficiency of your hot water system.

First, turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). Second, insulate your hot water lines so they don’t cool off as quickly between uses. Third, use low-flow fixtures for showers and baths. While storage water heater standards were raised in 2001, it was probably not enough to justify throwing out an existing water heater that is working well.

Advanced contractors are now installing “on demand” hot water circulating loops that use a small pump to accelerate delivery of hot water to remote fixtures, which works great with low-flow fixtures. These are activated when users turn on a bathroom or kitchen tap, and turn off when hot water reaches the fixture. In ACEEE’s opinion, a continuous recirculating “hotel” loop wastes enormous amounts of water-heating energy, not to mention the electricity used for pumping.

Replace incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).

CFLs can save three-quarters of the electricity used by incandescents. Most people don’t think about the fact that the electricity to run a lightbulb costs much more than the bulb itself. One of the new CFLs costs about two or three dollars, but it lasts 10,000 hours and uses only about 27 watts to generate as much light as a 100-watt incandescent bulb. During its life, it uses about $22 in electricity, so the total cost is about $25. A 100-watt incandescent bulb costs 50 cents, but lasts 1,000 hours so you need 10 of them ($5 to buy) to last 10,000 hours. In those 10,000 hours you will use 1,000 kilowatts of electricity, which will cost more than $80 at a national average price. So the lighting cost of the CFL is less than one-third of the cost for the incandescent. The best targets for replacement are 60- to 100-watt bulbs used several hours a day, because usage affects how long it takes to recover the investment.

If you buy a new refrigerator, don’t leave the old one plugged in.

Avoid the temptation to use the old fridge as a backup for party supplies and liquid refreshment. The extra storage space will cost you: figure an extra $50–150 per year in electricity to keep that older fridge running. In contrast, the new fridge, particularly if Energy Star rated, may cost only $30–60 per year to run because refrigerator efficiency has improved so much in the past three decades. Under these circumstances, think about how much refrigeration you really need. The best rule is to have only one refrigerator, and to size it to meet your real needs. That allows the luxury of ice-makers and similar conveniences with a clear conscience.

Also consider configuration. A similarly sized refrigerator with a top-mount freezer will use 20 to 25 percent less energy than a side-by-side model and often offers more usable refrigerator and freezer space.

Take advantage of new tax incentives to improve your home.

Federal tax incentives are available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Energy efficiency incentives for upgrades to existing homes have been extended, and are now available for 2009 and 2010. These incentives now cover up to $1,500 (from $500), based on 30 percent of the cost of the improvement. Improvements can include building-envelope improvements (windows, insulation) and heating/air-conditioning upgrades. There are also 30-percent credits, without a cap, for on-site renewables (solar photovoltaic and solar hot-water systems, small wind systems, and geothermal heat pumps).

Schedule an energy audit for more expert advice on your home as a whole.

Energy auditors and raters use specialized tools and skills to evaluate your home and recommend the most cost-effective measures to improve its comfort and efficiency, as well as the best sequence for doing them to take advantage of interactions. The rater can also provide independent verification of contractors’ work quality. Look for raters who are RESNET Accredited. In some regions, there are Home Performance with Energy Star programs, too. Most of these programs include low-cost home assessment and strong quality assurance practices and/or inspections.

Financial savings

Green building construction practices and products make homes more energy efficient through proper, adequate insulation and air sealing. Efficient windows, appliances, lighting and other household equipment also help add to the savings and keep your monthly electricity bills low. Up to 65% lower! And with energy prices rising and non-renewable fuels being depleted, an energy efficient home is asset we can all appreciate for years to come. Water bills are also reduced through low-flow equipment and thoughtful land use.

Homes built following green building standards may also qualify for special “green” financing. Called an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM), they can offer you more purchasing power.

More comfort

Comfortable with year-round sun exposure, comfortable with ambient temperature and lack of drafts, comfortable with your utility bills – ‘comfortable’ can mean a lot of things. Starting with good energy design, green building helps to ensure that your home is inherently more comfortable. If you’re building new, proper orientation of your home can take advantage of the sun’s radiant energy to provide free natural heat in the cooler months, while avoiding too much sun in the warmer ones, to save on energy costs. Tight construction also helps keep energy costs and drafts down. For everyone, better insulation and energy efficient windows, appliances, and lighting contribute to a comfortable environment while using less energy.

Healthier living

Chemicals emitted from building materials can be a potential source of health problems if they are not properly addressed. For example, cabinets, counter tops, and furniture are often made from pressed wood products such as particleboard or medium-density fiberboard (MDF), which are typically manufactured with formaldehyde-based adhesives. This formaldehyde can offgas into your home for years. Unfortunately for your family’s health, formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen according to the World Health Organization; it can also cause watery eyes, headaches, fatigue, and nausea. Paint and floor finishes can also contain formaldehyde and other chemicals that are not healthy to breathe, especially for small children. Green building encourages use of products and materials that reduce or eliminate these sources of indoor pollution. These include a wide range of products such as low-VOC paint, solvent-free adhesives, and water-based wood finishes that not only eliminate many of the suspected and known carcinogens, but often perform better than traditional products.

Finally, ventilation is key to keeping and maintaining indoor air quality for healthier living. Green building practices encourage well-sealed duct systems, sealed combustion gas appliances, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, and a balanced or slightly positive pressure ventilation system, which work together to improve indoor air quality and keep you comfortable and healthy.

Adequate ventilation is especially important in green building as it can reduce the potential for mold growth and buildup of allergens and other particulates. With tighter construction of the exterior envelope, ventilation is essential to allow excess moisture to escape so it doesn’t get trapped in your home’s living space and building cavities, causing health problems for your family and moisture damage to the building components.

Less maintenance and higher durability

Current building codes establish minimum construction standards that protect your safety. Green building supplements building codes by using premium materials that are more durable and construction practices that often exceed building code requirements. Together, these qualities enhance your home’s performance and reduce maintenance and replacement costs, thereby raising its overall value.

Examples of such long-lasting materials and their applications include decking made from recycled plastic and wood fibers, durable tile or linoleum for floors, 50-year roofing materials, and fiber-cement siding. These can outperform their traditional counterparts by reducing maintenance and replacement costs.

Knowing you’re being good to the environment

Green building products and practices offer you the assurance that you are following environmentally friendly guidelines that help preserve our natural resources. A socially responsible step worthy of recognition, building green makes a strong statement about your dedication to the community and the environment.

Impacting more than your home itself, green building promotes the use of local products and materials that help stimulate local businesses and a diverse economy. This keeps your dollars working in your neighborhood and reduces energy consumption because there are less transportation costs. Materials like engineered wood products are encouraged because they efficiently make use of waste wood pieces, reducing environmental impacts of the wood industry. Recycled-content products productively use materials that would otherwise need to be hauled to landfills, and also reduce costs and impacts of producing products from virgin materials.

Green building is not a passing trend. Informing and educating you, the California homeowner, about the value of green building standards is Build It Green’s goal. We believe that through education we can all make a difference that will improve the way we live – today and tomorrow.

In practical terms, green building is a whole-systems-approach to building that includes:

• Designing for livable communities
• Using sun and site to the building’s advantage for natural heating, cooling, and daylighting
• Landscaping with native, drought-resistant plants and water-efficient practices
• Building quality, durable structures
• Reducing and recycling construction and demolition waste
• Insulating well and ventilating appropriately
• Incorporating durable, salvaged, recycled, and sustainably harvested materials
• Using healthy products and building practices
• Using energy-efficient and water-saving appliances, fixtures and technologies

When implemented holistically, these strategies serve to preserve our environment for future generations by conserving natural resources and protecting air and water quality. They provide benefits for us today by increasing comfort and well-being and helping to maintain healthy air quality. Finally, green building strategies are good for everyone’s pocketbook by reducing maintenance and replacement requirements, reducing utility bills and lowering the cost of home ownership, and increasing property and resale values.

Imagine your entire family having a leisurely Saturday barbeque down by the pool. Grandpa ventures too close to the pool and gets with in splashing range of the kids. Grandma is setting the plates and the silverware beneath the cabana. Dads by the grill making his world famous steaks. You just then realize you forgot the cups.

You head out of the gated pool area, and begin a short leisurely walk to home. You could take the short cut but choose to take the scenic route through your neighborhood. Passing by the romantic waterwheel that churns through a flowery pool of blue. You wave at Mrs. Johnson, cutting flowers for her dinner table. Crossing over the cobble stone bridge that leads to your house.

You retrieve the cups and chose to take the 3 minute short cut back to the pool area. Pondering how wonderful it is that Grandma and Grandpa chose to purchase one of the beautiful townhouses in Settlers Bridge.

A top tier community nestled in the heart of the Treasure Valley, just northwest of Old-Town Meridian. Great for people who enjoy an old world atmosphere with great views and beautiful walking paths.

* Over 57 acres of private park
* Large family homesites, with vinyl fencing included, nestled
together with a community-minded vision
* Extensive landscaping, with Old World, tree-lined avenues throughout
* Master-crafted homes with every attention to detail
* Pressurized irrigation
* Strict builder warranty program
* Walking paths dotted with columned, trellised courtyards
* Unique stone bridge entrance at Five Mile Creek
* Spectacular views of the Boise Foothills
* 1,250 sq. ft. community center with swimming pool and picnic area
(Future plans include an additional community center!)
* Fountains of flowers
* Centralized location, just northwest of Old-Town Meridian,
in the heart of the Treasure Valley
* Meridian, your new hometown, a community small enough to be a part of,
and big enough to make your life convenient, with merchants who have an
old-fashioned, neighborly way of doing business
* Approximately 30 acre public park north of Verona Place