Media

Low Cost Interior Duct Systems

From Florida Solar Energy Center - Low Cost Interior Duct Systems for High-Performane Homes in Hot Climates

This white paper addresses the technical and practical aspects of implementing ducts in conditioned space.

The advantages of well designed and constructed interior duct systems are numerous. Among these advantages is improved energy efficiency through the elimination of duct leakage to outside and the elimination of conductive heat gains/losses.

Please click link to see the entire white paper.

Electric Bills Jump!

December 20, 2011

Electric bills nationally have skyrocketed in the past five years, a sharp reversal from a quarter-century ago when Americans enjoyed stable power bills even as they used more electricity.

Households paid a record $1,419 on average for electricity in 2010, the fifth consecutive yearly increase above the inflation rate, a USA TODAY analysis of government data found.

The jump has added about $300 a year to what households pay for electricity. That's the largest sustained increase since a run-up in electricity prices during the 1970s.

Homes Slash Power Cost - The Cape

A model home taking shape in Cape Coral will produce more energy than it consumes and make less efficient home plans obsolete, according to Ravenwood Homes partners Reed Schweizer and David Wishtischin.

People who want to build the so-called “net zero” energy homes also will be better risks for banks when they apply for a mortgage, said Steve Stewart, manager of Florida Gulf Bank’s Cape Coral office.

The 2,200-square-foot home in Cape Coral is the first of its kind in Southwest Florida for under $200,000, Wishtischin said.

“We’ve come up with a way to do it for the average homebuyer,” Wishtischin said.

“We worked very closely with architects and engineers to build this product,” Wishtischin said during a groundbreaking Thursday at 2732 Gleason Parkway. “In five years this will be the standard of construction.”

The house is planned around the energy-saving aspects and features, including how the house sits on the lot, insulation, solar features, use of overhanging eaves, ductwork, air conditioning and appliances.

Construction is expected to finish in early December. Ravenwood will use the house as a model for two years under an agreement worked out with the lot owner, Jim Fortini.

Fortini plans to sell the home after its modeling days are over, said Brooke Fortini, the owner’s sister-in-law. Jim Fortini was out of town and did not attend the groundbreaking.

Tom Riti, who recently retired from New Jersey, is planning a home by Ravenwood in NW Cape Coral.

Riti’s home will be about 1,800 square feet.

Without solar, Riti’s home will save about $150 a month, said Dave Jenkins, of Energy Smart Home Plans. With solar the target is $200, Jenkins said.

Tom Riti, center, reviews plans for his own energy-efficient home in hopes of saving up to $200 a month on electricity. He discussed the plans with Coldwell Banker real estate agent Susan Ball and Dave Jenkins of Energy Smart Home Plans during a groundbreaking for a similar home at 2732 Gleason Parkway on Thursday.

New Home Construction Shortage in Southwest Florida

FORT MYERS, Fla- There is a shortage of new home construction in Southwest Florida and WINK News Real Estate contributor Denny Grimes says it's a necessary sign of recovery. 98 percent of the homes for sale right now are used, and on average 15 years old. That means only 2 percent are new. Builders sold off their inventory when the market crashed and then sat on the sidelines as it bottomed out. Now Grimes says, they are slowly coming back in established neighborhoods and building new homes, which buyers are starting to look for.

2011 IBS Show

The International Builder Show started opening day with Ken Fonorow speaking to over 195 builders, developers and designers, at the Builder’s Guide to Constructing a Net Zero Energy Home. This inspired many to find their way to our booth to get books and more information from both Ken and Dave Jenkins. Over 350 Energy Smart Home Plans books were handed out over the course of 4 days. The show continues to be a big success for us.

2010 SEBC Show

Dave Jenkins of Energy Smart Home Plans and Ken Fonorow of the Home Energy Doctor were kept very busy reviewing with builders the great features the ESHP plans offer.

Florida Green Building Magazine

Florida Green Building Magazine - Spring 2010 Issue - Check out the "Project Spotlight - Staying Ahead of the Curve with Zero Energy" - by Stephanie Reese

US Department of Energy

Building America - Research Toward Building Zero Energy Homes

Tommy Williams Homes Builder

Announces their second Net-Zero Home built in Gainesville, Florida.