Page 21 - Green Builder Magazine Sept-Oct 2017

Team effort. All volunteers and
staff go through intensive
training on the safety, techniques
and products used in the homes.

To help its homeowners get the most
benefit from these high-performance homes,
the South Sarasota Habitat offers intensive
training sessions for new homeowners. The
training includes information on operation and
maintenance of the systems in their homes.
Sollitto says the DOE (ZERH) program
CREDIT: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SOUTH SARASOTA COUNTY Habitat’s affiliate has totally embraced the
has “taken us to a new level of efficiency,
quality and commitment to our families.”

concept of building homes better than code
and employing energy-efficient and green
building techniques in them, he adds.
“Our homes now offer a high-performance,
affordable option for low-income families
who are seeking an alternative to poorly
constructed homes with high rent and
outrageous energy bills,” Sollitto says. “We
the home is landscaped with plants and drought-resistant turf rated want to ensure that our families have a safe, decent and affordable
as “Florida-Friendly” by the University of Florida Institute of Food place to live for many years to come.” GB
and Agricultural Sciences Extension.
All of the home’s lighting is energy efficient. About half of the
fixtures are ultra-efficient LED-based lights, while the other half of Saragossa Innovation Home
the fixtures use compact fluorescent light sources. The home has
five Energy Star-rated ceiling fans that are equipped with compact KEY FEATURES
florescent lamps (CFLs), which save energy and don’t heat up like
older bulbs. The cooling effect of the fans’ air flow allows homeowners DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME PATH: Performance
to set the thermostat higher for additional energy savings. WALLS: R-17.5 total wall R: concrete block filled with foam; on interior:
0.75-inch EPS, 0.75-inch furring strips, perforated foil insulation sheet,
WEEKLY CHECKUPS 0.5-inch gypsum board
To ensure quality construction, Habitat for Humanity projects are ROOF: 0.625-inch sheathing, fiberglass-reinforced asphalt self-adhering
implemented with Team Leaders and Crew Leaders that manage underlayment, Energy Star light asphalt shingles
the jobsites. “Each week we meet to discuss the progress of the jobs, ATTIC: Unvented, insulated under roof deck with 5.5-inch R-20
the schedule and materials, and any difficulties or issues that need polyurethane spray foam: borate-treated trusses
to be resolved,” Sollitto says. “Each member of our team has totally FOUNDATION: Uninsulated raised slab on grade
embraced our goal to build affordable, durable, sustainable and WINDOWS: Vinyl-framed, impact-rated double-paned, low-e, U=0.33,
efficient homes within our limited budget.” SHGC=0.19
He add that quality control comes from the commitment of Habitat AIR SEALING: 2.8 ACH 50
for Humanity’s volunteers and staff to provide the best built home
within the project’s budget. “Our volunteers and staff go through VENTILATION: Timer-controlled fresh air intake tied to bath fan
intensive training on the safety, techniques and products that are HVAC: Ducted mini-split heat pump in conditioned attic, 15.5 SEER
used in our homes,” Sollitto notes. “From the first shovel of dirt to the HOT WATER: 50-gallon heat pump water heater, 3.25 energy factor
last stroke of a brush, we are committed to providing our first-time LIGHTING: 50 percent LED, 50 percent CFL, Energy Star ceiling fans
homebuyers a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience!” APPLIANCES: Energy Star refrigerator, dishwasher
All of these measures helped the home achieve a Home Energy
Rating System (HERS) score of 51. A typical new homes built to code SOLAR: N/A
would score about 80 to 100. No solar panels are included as part WATER CONSERVATION FEATURES: Florida Water Star compliant;
of the construction, but each home built by the Habitat affiliate is low-flow fixtures
equipped to be “solar ready,” with conduit and electrical panel space ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: N/A
installed for future solar panel installation as required by the DOE OTHER: No-VOC paint, drought-resistant plants
(ZERH) program.

www.greenbuildermedia.com September/October 2017 GREEN BUILDER 19

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