Florida Energy Extension
Service
Assistant Director & Professor
2610 SW
23rd Terrace, Bldg 242
Voice 352-392-8074
Fax 352-392-9033
Memorandum
To: All Wall ( READ the RED Type. It is specific to All Wall )
From: Pierce Jones
Subject:
I enjoyed talking with you about using All Wall in
several houses that I will be building in a "green" development
project called
General Overview: The Florida Energy
Extension Service (FEES) at the
In addition to participating in Madera’s overall design, the Florida Energy Extension Service plans to build eight homes in the community, including the first model home. The houses built by the university are intended to be exemplars of green and profitable construction practices. They will be designed in close coordination with the three builders to create basic efficiency and green performance criteria that will be standard in all of Madera’s homes, as well as appropriate upgrade packages that will be available as options.
All of Madera’s homes will be constructed to exceed conventional performance standards in the Gainesville (and Florida) markets. For example, with respect to energy efficiency, Madera’s homes will all meet the ENERGY STAR̉ Home standard. Beyond the basic performance-enhancing features, upgrade packages will be designed to meet meaningful performance standards in the areas of energy efficiency, water efficiency and termite resistance. Upgrades will be offered beyond the basic performance configuration. For example, an ENERGY STAR̉ appliance upgrade will be offered (dishwasher, refrigerator, washer and dryer).
On-site sales program will be developed to feature Madera’s standard and optional performance upgrades that differentiate its homes from more conventionally built area homes. The Florida Energy Extension Service will work directly with product manufacturers to provide the on-site sales staff with technical support, displays and informational materials.
Finally, a mortgage product will be developed for Madera based on Fannie Mae’s Home Performance Power program. The mortgage has three specific advantages. First, it explicitly recognizes the combination of performance-enhancing features by treating the reduced operating costs as income to potential homebuyers. Second, rebates offered by product manufacturers can be used directly to meet "down payment" requirements. Finally, the mortgage will offer 100% financing on the supplemental costs of efficiency upgrades.
Madera’s Phase I infrastructure construction is scheduled to start in March 2002 with construction of the first homes beginning in June 2002.
Product Selection Criteria: A major purpose of the Madera project is to support the use of home designs, construction materials and products that measurably support energy efficiency, water conservation and termite resistance. In addition, preferred products must be environmentally friendly. Therefore, products used on the Madera development will be carefully selected based on these criteria.
Whenever possible, existing performance-based programs will be used to qualify designs, products and materials for preferred use in Madera homes. For example, energy efficiency will be evaluated using the EPA/DOE Energy Star̉ label as the primary measure of performance. Water conservation of appliances will be judged based on information as reported by organizations such as Consumer Reports and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Termite resistance will be evaluated on whether products are not a food source (containing cellulose) or have been specifically treated in some way to be termite resistant. Products will be considered environmentally friendly on a variety of criteria such as absence of VOCs and toxic compounds, recycled materials content and suitability for future recycling. All of these criteria will be refined as specific products and product applications are considered.
Preferred Product Upgrades: Combinations of products, materials and designs will be packaged into specific recommended upgrades. We are currently working with Panasonic (lighting), Certainteed (roofing, windows and siding), Carrier (HVAC), Louisiana-Pacific (borate pressure treated lumber), Whirlpool (appliances) and others. Three tentative upgrades are as follows:
Energy Star̉ Appliance Package
- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator
- Washer
- Dryer
- Exhaust Fans
(Individual appliances can be chosen from a schedule of specific ENERGY STAR̉ -rated products. Depending on specific models selected, a rebate of up to $250 will be available to the homebuyer. Fannie Mae will provide a preferred mortgage product that will allow the rebate to be used at closing to meet equity requirements.)
Termite Resistant Home
- Masonry wall construction or Borate pressure-treated wood products
- Cementatious siding or stucco exterior finish
- Steel framing (possibly including trusses)
- Meet termite package requirements in the FGBC Green Home Designation Checklist
Enhanced Indoor Environment
- SEER 12 plus
- Programmable Thermostat (w/ technical support)
- Fresh air ventilation system
- Mastic-sealed ductwork
- Advanced comfort control
Conclusion: I am interested in All Wall because of its energy efficiency characteristics and because it is a masonry-based wall system that is not structurally vulnerable to termites.
My goal would be to work All Wall into one of our product upgrade packages.
I hope this gives you an adequate first impression of what we’re doing. My intention is to use this development as a model for other projects that we can organize around the state. I imagine you would be especially interested in areas where windstorm considerations are important.