Fireside Headlines

Contact Information:
Janet Gaydosh
Cell: (216) 870-3836
gaydoshcommunication@wowway.com

October 17, 2006, Dexter, MI - GREEN...Not just about money, or falling leaves this time of year, but a color that saves you money and preserves our natural resources according to award-winning custom home builder, Bob Burnside, president and owner of Fireside Home Construction in Dexter. Fireside Home Construction’s latest project will become the first “green” and energy efficient home certified under the residential certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program in southeast Michigan.

LEED is a nationally accepted green building rating system that serves as the benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance environmentally friendly buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest performance standards. The LEED plaque is recognized nationwide as proof that a building is environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work.

To obtain LEED certification a builder first registers a project. To earn certification, the building project must meet certain prerequisites and performance benchmarks ("credits") within each category. Projects are awarded Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum certification depending on the number of credits it achieves. Fireside Home Construction is targeting Platinum status. The home, to be completed by June 2007, will be located on North Territorial Road in Dexter.  

This comprehensive approach is the reason LEED-certified buildings have reduced operating costs, healthier and more productive occupants and conserve our natural resources.

Burnside has an interesting background, having worked more than 20 years in the automotive industry, most recently as a marketing executive. "Building was always my avocation." When he started the company more than 10 years ago, it was his plan to incorporate energy efficient and green building practices into every home he builds. Today he builds six to 10 homes a year, plus manages a few remodeling projects.

Fireside Home Construction is a 2006 recipient of the Silver EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA). This award, presented by the National Association of Home Builders, honors the nation’s top energy efficient builders. The company was recently notified that is a finalist for the 2007 EVHA award, which will be awarded in February 2007.

Earlier this year, Fireside received the 2006 Silver EnergyValue Housing Award. In 2005, Fireside became the first area builder to achieve Built Green certification from the Home Builders Association of Washtenaw County (HBAWC), a program that promotes the use of sustainable building products, services and techniques. Fireside also received the 2005 Pillar Award for Built Green Achievement by the HBAWC.

About Fireside Home Construction

Dexter-based Fireside Home Construction builds premium quality timber-frame homes, traditional custom homes, and provides remodeling services for customers who seek high quality, energy efficient and sustainable housing that incorporates Green Building principles.  Fireside maintains a high reputation in the marketplace by providing personal attention to each client, achieving complete customer satisfaction and providing enduring value to the homeowner.  The company has received numerous local and national construction industry awards for its application of energy efficient and “green building” technologies.  

For photos and additional information go to www.Firesidehomeconstruction.com. Information on LEED is at www.usgbc.org. Bob Burnside is available for interviews by calling Janet Gaydosh, media coordinator, at (216) 870-3836.