At Discovery West, sustainability is more than a buzzword—it’s a guiding principle, embodied by the talented professionals in our Builders Guild. In celebration of Earth Month, we’re shining a spotlight on these exceptional builders, who have been carefully chosen for their dedication to creating homes that honor the natural beauty of Central Oregon while embracing eco-friendly practices.
All of our guild builders are building to Earth Advantage certification standards—a standard that we’ve long embraced as developers, beginning with NorthWest Crossing in 2001. The pillars of Earth Advantage are energy, land, health, materials and water. Many of the requirements are above standard building code, resulting in higher energy efficiency homes than those built to code. From features and components such as tankless hot water heaters to ductless mini splits to low VOC paints, to special insulation, ventilation and much more.
Notably, some builders, like JD Neel Construction, focus on achieving net-zero energy standards and low Energy Performance Scores (EPS), demonstrating the highest levels of innovation in green building. They’re committed to energy efficient and sustainable new homes. Founder Jason Neel has been building to Earth Advantage standards since 2013, and was named Builder of the Month by Earth Advantage in 2016. His portfolio includes a net-zero energy custom home in Bend and he’s built seven homes in Discovery West with EPS scores of 28 or below (including homes with EPS scores of just 2 and 0). EPS is a rating system used to measure the energy efficiency of a home and scores under 40 are considered ‘excellent’ by the Energy Trust of Oregon. If you’re buying or building a new home, a low EPS score is a great indication that the builder paid attention to energy performance—it’s like the MPG rating for a car. Except in this case, the lower the number the better! Other builders that have built quality homes with low EPS scores in the neighborhood include Salvesen Homes and Curtis Homes, both of which have achieved scores of zero!
“As a builder committed to quality and sustainability, choosing to work in Discovery West was an easy decision,” said Jason Neel of J.D. Neel Construction. “The neighborhood’s vision aligns perfectly with my belief that homes should not only complement the natural beauty of Central Oregon but also respect it.”
Solar systems, high-performance insulation, locally-sourced materials—there are many ways to reduce your footprint when building a home. And these details not only contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet, but are healthier and more cost efficient for the family that chooses to call it home. This Earth Month, we invite you to explore how our guild builders contribute to a community where sustainability and quality of life go hand-in-hand. Together, we’re not just building homes—we’re building a better future for Bend.