Habitat for Humanity Pilot Home

In a first-time partnership, IBACOS and Habitat for Humanity worked together to construct three energy efficient affordable homes in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA. Construction of the two-story, 1,282 square foot homes is drawing to a close. On Sunday, September 18, 2005 the houses were dedicated to three deserving families. The homes were designed with the goal of achieving 40% whole house energy savings over the Building America Benchmark.

In order to achieve this goal, a number of innovative design strategies and technologies were employed, including OVE framing techniques in the walls, a direct vent natural gas furnace with 94% AFUE and 60,000 Btu/h, and polyicinene spray foam insulation in the walls and attic. The houses are also equipped with energy efficient lighting and appliances.

“The energy-efficient homes will save the families about $36 a month on utility bills compared with other houses in the neighborhood,” said John Broniek, project manager for IBACOS. "For these homes we made suggestions that will really pay off in the long run. We designed the heating and cooling for the house, and it has the benefit of being very airtight," Broniek said.

Many of these technologies were given to Habitat for Humanity at a discount or free of charge. In addition to making the homes affordable for low-income families, these donations helped the homes achieve the 40% energy savings goal established by the Building America Program. Habitat requires that home recipients put in at least 350 hours of labor -- "sweat equity" -- on the house. They also must repay a mortgage, typically over 30 years. The mortgage is interest-free.

Previously at IBACOS