• Fallman Design and Construction

Figure 4.  DREAM Home in Clermont, Florida.

With technical assistance from FSEC in 2001, Fallman Design and Construction completed its DREAM (durable, resource efficient, achievable, model) home in Clermont, Florida.  (Please see Figure 4.)  The home met Building America standards and showcases many energy-efficient and climate-appropriate design elements with an Energy Rating of 91.  This is an improvement of 55% over base case.  Energy Star-rated homes must measure at least 86; typical homes measure about 80.

Numerous features comprise the 50% energy savings/enhanced air quality package:

• high efficiency heat pump (SEER 12)
• dehumidifier to maintain humidity level below 50%
• digital programmable thermostat
• air conditioning ductwork in conditioned space to put less load on the air conditioning unit
• R-30 attic insulation
• concrete tile roof (which reduces heat gain and keeps attic cooler than conventional shingles)
• 3/4" rigid insulation on all exterior block walls, sealed at all joints to create an airtight structure
• Energy Star-rated appliances
• low-E windows to deflect heat and minimize solar heat gain
• insulated fiberglass exterior doors with insulated glass
• gas, instead of wood-burning, fireplace
• roof-mounted, passive solar water heater which supplements the electric water heater, and provides homeowner with combined capacity of 90 gallons
• ceiling fans, fluorescent lighting, large porches, and large roof overhangs
• wood and tile flooring to minimize accumulation of dust, pollen and pet dander

This high-profile home was featured in the Orlando Sentinel newspaper as well as on the web  (See www.fsec.ucf.edu/Bldg/baihp/casestud/dream.) and calls attention to the many energy saving options and air quality improvements available today.  Because the home uses conventional materials and "off-the-shelf" equipment, its concepts can be used by any builder and applied to most plans without creating job-site conflicts, increasing call-backs, or changing the aesthetics of the home.  Because of his achievement, the builder received the Gold Medal in the prestigious National Association of Home Builder's 2002 Energy Value Housing Awards.

• Florida Solar Energy Research & Education Foundation

The Florida Solar Energy Research & Education Foundation (FlaSEREF) authored a Building America article for the May-June 2002 issue of the Florida HomeBuilder magazine and one titled "SunBuilt and Building America Partnership," for the FlaSEIA Industry News, Spring 2002 issue. These partners also ghostwrote an editorial on Building America, among other topics, that appeared in the Gainesville Sun newspaper in the Spring.  In addition, FlaSEREF created and paid for a full-page ad touting the advantages of using the Building America program in a Spring 2002 issue of the Florida Home Builder magazine and developed a separate ad which appeared in the Gainesville Sun Parade of Homes Special Section distributed onsite during the two-week parade and with the Sunday paper prior to the Parade in April 2002.

• Fleetwood Homes

Researchers visited four Fleetwood factories in southern Georgia to investigate the cause of some moisture-related building failures when units were installed in a hot, humid climate.  The factories were located in Douglas, Alma, Pearson, and Willacootche.  As a result of FSEC recommendations, the factories have changed their duct construction practices and are now constructing airtight ducts with mastic.

• Genesis Homes

In July 2001, BAIHP received and rated one floor plan from the Genesis Homes plant in Chandler, Arizona. As a result of the visit, Genesis Homes decided to install duct systems at the factory and to discontinue the practice of putting air handlers in the attic.

FSEC personnel analyzed a prototype National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) home produced by Genesis Homes in the Pembroke North Carolina plant and refined the requirements and procedures to obtain Energy Star status for this home.  The home was located in Lumberton, North Carolina in December 2001.  FSEC staff along with the National Renewable Energy Lab and Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL) collaborated with Genesis personnel to prepare literature and displays for the showcase home at the 2002 NAHB Show in Atlanta. 

In 2002, FSEC also assisted Genesis Homes by reviewing their Green Home checklist and providing feedback from FSEC and other Building America teams.

• Green Housing

"Green" or sustainable housing is defined as energy efficient housing with one or more added features like disaster resistance, good indoor air quality, universal design, resource efficient products and materials, and low water landscaping.  BAIHP collaborates with the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), national "green" groups, and other organizations to develop or define green home standards, participate in educational programs, and assist in demonstration houses and related activities. 

Florida Green Building Program:  BAIHP staff has been extensively involved with the Florida Green Building Program administered by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), Inc. (www.floridagreenbuilding.org).  The intended result of this involvement has been to create Building America homes that include additional "green" or sustainable attributes like those listed above.

The primary tool used to incorporate "green" concepts into homes built by BAIHP partners is the Florida Green Home Designation Standard, developed and maintained by the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. with significant support and technical assistance from BAIHP staff.  BAIHP partners Fallman Design and Construction, Pruett Builders, and the City of Orlando have all embraced the concept of green building, and have each built at least one home that has achieved this designation.  Each of these homes is used as a model or showcase to educate the public about the benefits of green construction.  In all homes, BAIHP staff assisted with outreach, implementation, and certification.  The standard also has proved useful to other Building America teams when they work with Florida partners who are interested in achieving green and sustainable housing.

To increase awareness and interest in building homes to Building America and green standards, BAIHP researchers have made several presentations to local government decision-makers, and staff.  These were delivered to individual government agencies and government organizations such as Rebuild America.  The presentations focused on how green homes benefit the community at large, and how various developer, builder, and home buyer incentives can be created to reflect these benefits, and to reward individual efforts.

BAIHP staff developed and delivers a course that trains individuals how to use the Florida Green Home Designation Standard to achieve the outreach, implementation, and certification phases of green housing.  The course has been taught biannually to approximately 20 students, and is now required by the Florida Green Building Coalition for anyone wishing to "certify" homes to the standard.