McDonald Construction is proud to be a Designated MN Green Path™ Builder.
We’re committed to building homes that are not only beautiful and comfortable but also energy-efficient and environmentally responsible. Explore this page to learn about our MN Green Path™ certification, the features that make our homes eco-friendly, and how you can own a home that’s better for you and the planet.
Showcase of MN Green Path™ program homes.
McDonald Construction is proud to be a Designated Builder in the MN Green Path™ program, a comprehensive approach to home building that prioritizes energy efficiency, resource conservation, and indoor air quality. Our MN Green Path™ certified homes undergo rigorous third-party testing and verification, achieving HERS ratings of 60 or below. Explore these homes for features, HERS ratings, and Green Path™ certification levels.
MN Green Path™
Advanced Certified Home
CUSTOM HOME
HERS
Score
45
Explore the HERS rating, Energy efficiency Certification, and Home Performance Reports that document the energy-efficient features of this MN Green Path™ Advanced Certified home.
MN Green Path™
Net-Zero, Positive-Energy Home
HERS
Score
-6
Explore the HERS rating, Energy efficiency Certification, and Home Performance Reports that document the energy-efficient features of this MN Green Path™ Net-Zero home.
Award-Winning Green Building:
McDonald Construction’s commitment to sustainability.
RESNET® HERS® Index Builder of the Month
McDonald’s was recognized as the RESNET® HERS® Index Builder of the Month for August 2024. This prestigious award acknowledges our commitment to building energy-efficient homes that are good for the environment and save our customers money on utility bills. Learn more about the HERS index.
MN Green Path Leadership Award
McDonald was awarded the 2022 MN Green Path Leadership Award at Housing First MN BIG Night! The Housing First Minnesota Green Path Committee presents the award to a recipient who inspires with their innovation, passion, and commitment to building energy-efficient and sustainable homes.
Save money, live comfortably with MN Green Path.™
Imagine a home that saves you money on energy bills, provides exceptional comfort year-round, and minimizes its environmental impact. That’s what you get with a McDonald MN Green Path™ home. Discover the advantages of our certified green building practices and find your energy-efficient dream home today. The following are just a few of the standard included features in every home we build.
MECHANICAL & ENERGY SAVING
(Green denotes eco-friendly included standard feature)
- MN Green Path™ tested with 3rd party verification & home
- HERS rating of 60 or below for Energy-Tested Certification
- Exterior walls R-21 & ceiling R-49 insulation
- R-10 to R-15 foundation insulation
- Solar ready home (subject to home placement)
- Aeroseal on all HVAC ductwork
- Marvin™ energy efficient high performance windows
- Foam around all windows, doors & rim joists
- Two zone automatic HVAC with (2) thermostats
- Range hood (250+ cfm) & dryer vented to the outside
- Water softener
- Smoke & carbon monoxide detectors
- Passive radon mitigation system
- 92% Efficient furnace
- 14 SEER air conditioner
- Furnace-mounted whole house humidifier
- Air exchanger ventilation system
- Tankless Water Heater per Energy Star™ guidelines
- Energy heel trusses
Other included Eco-friendly features:
- Low VOC carpet with 8lb pad (per plan)
- Heat & Glo™ Slimline-7 direct vent fireplace with designer wood surround (per plan)
- Energy Star™ Fisher & Paykel appliance package includes refrigerator/ freezer, wall oven/ microwave column, 36” cooktop w/drawer stack & dishwasher
- Moen™ Watersense® plumbing fixtures in all bathrooms (per plan)
- Recycling center & drawer stack (per plan)
- Moen™ pulldown kitchen faucet in chrome
- Timber Strand™ stair jacks
- Finger-jointed studs behind cabinets & shower walls
- Thermatru™ 8’ painted fiberglass front door with Schlage® handle set & deadbolt (per plan)
- LED recessed lights at kitchen, great room & lower level (per plan)
- LED recessed light at all showers & tubs (per plan
Building energy-efficient, eco-friendly homes for a better tomorrow.
Explore our MN Green Path™ program articles and discover your sustainable dream home.
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McDonald Construction Partners has achieved Advanced Certification with Minnesota’s Green Path program, highlighting their commitment to energy-efficient and sustainable building.
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Our commitment to building energy-efficient homes aligns with our core values. We’re proud of our recent Net Zero project, Ever Green Cottage, and partnership with leading HERS rating companies. As a Designated MN Green Path Builder, we’re dedicated to creating sustainable homes for a brighter future. Contact us to learn more about our energy-efficient building…
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“Minnesota’s Green Path program, spearheaded by Housing First Minnesota, offers new homebuyers significant benefits. Greenpath homes are built with energy efficiency as their foundation, leading to lower utility bills and a smaller carbon footprint. Financial incentives and a more comfortable living environment make it a win-win proposition for homeowners and the environment.”
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McDonald Construction is dedicated to sustainable practices, building energy-efficient and environmentally friendly homes. The MN Greenpath Homes program promotes the construction of sustainable, energy-efficient homes, meeting standards for energy performance, water conservation, material selection, and indoor air quality. Choosing a MN Greenpath Home with McDonald Construction means lower energy costs, increased comfort, environmental responsibility, and…
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Introducing the Ever-Green Cottage, a 2023 MN Green Path Master Certified marvel. This all-electric masterpiece boasts a HERS score of -6, powered by solar panels and a Tesla Powerwall. With energy-star certification, triple-pane windows, and sustainable materials, it’s a blueprint for a sustainable future.This is more than a home; it’s a blueprint for a sustainable…
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McDonald Construction Partners has achieved Advanced Certification with Minnesota’s Green Path program, highlighting their commitment to energy-efficient and sustainable building.
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Our commitment to building energy-efficient homes aligns with our core values. We’re proud of our recent Net Zero project, Ever Green Cottage, and partnership with leading HERS rating companies. As…
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“Minnesota’s Green Path program, spearheaded by Housing First Minnesota, offers new homebuyers significant benefits. Greenpath homes are built with energy efficiency as their foundation, leading to lower utility bills and…
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McDonald Construction is dedicated to sustainable practices, building energy-efficient and environmentally friendly homes. The MN Greenpath Homes program promotes the construction of sustainable, energy-efficient homes, meeting standards for energy performance,…
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Introducing the Ever-Green Cottage, a 2023 MN Green Path Master Certified marvel. This all-electric masterpiece boasts a HERS score of -6, powered by solar panels and a Tesla Powerwall. With…
MN Green Path™ FAQs
What is the MN Green Path™ program? –
The MN Green Path™ program is a home certification program that focuses on energy efficiency and environmentally friendly building practices. McDonald Construction’s Green Path™ homes are tested with 3rd party verification and receive a HERS rating of 60 or below.
What are the levels of MN Green Path™ Certification? –
There are three levels: Energy Tested, Advanced Certified, and Master Certified.
What does Advanced Green Path Certification mean? –
It signifies that a home has met certain energy testing standards and includes additional green features. Specifically, it means the home has a HERS Index below 47 and has earned points in various Minnesota Energy Code categories.
How does a home achieve Advanced Green Path Certification? –
A home must have a HERS Index below 47 and earn additional points in specific categories like Energy Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, and others defined by the Minnesota Energy Code.
What is a Net-Zero Home? –
A net zero home is a home that produces as much or more energy then it consumes, resulting in a net zero energy consumption and carbon footprint. This is achieved through a combination of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy generation. Net-zero or Positive-Energy homes have a HERS score of 0 or lower (negative score).
What is a HERS rating? –
The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rating is a nationally recognized system used to measure a home’s energy efficiency. The lower the HERS rating, the more energy-efficient the home. McDonald Homes Green Path™ homes typically receive a HERS rating of 60 or below.
What are some benefits of building an Advanced Green Path Certified home? –
Benefits include lower utility bills due to reduced energy consumption and enhanced comfort from a well-insulated and properly ventilated home.
What are some of the energy-saving features included in McDonald MN Green Path™ homes? –
McDonald’s MN Green Path™ homes include a variety of energy-saving features, such as:
- Exterior walls R-21 & ceiling R-49 insulation
- R-10 to R-15 foundation insulation
- Solar ready home (subject to home placement)
- Aeroseal on all HVAC ductwork
- Marvin™ energy-efficient high-performance windows
- Foam around all windows, doors & rim joists
- Two-zone automatic HVAC with (2) thermostats
- 92% Efficient furnace
- 14 SEER air conditioner
- Tankless Water Heater per Energy Star™ guidelines
- Energy heel trusses
What are some of the other eco-friendly features included in McDonald MN Green Path™ homes? –
McDonald’s MN Green Path™ homes include other eco-friendly features, such as:
- Low VOC carpet with 8lb pad (per plan)
- Energy Star™ Fisher & Paykel appliance package
- Moen™ Watersense® plumbing fixtures in all bathrooms (per plan)
- LED recessed lights at kitchen, great room & lower level (per plan)
- LED recessed light at all showers & tubs (per plan)
What does “solar ready” mean? –
“Solar ready” means that the home is designed and built in a way that makes it easier and more cost-effective to install solar panels in the future. The actual installation of solar panels is subject to home placement.
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McDonald Construction Partners has achieved Advanced Certification with Minnesota’s Green Path program, highlighting their commitment to energy-efficient and sustainable building.
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McDonald Construction Partners has achieved Advanced Certification with Minnesota’s Green Path program, highlighting their commitment to energy-efficient and sustainable building.