USA Models FAQ's
Question: Why was The New Energy Home designed?
Response: Specifically, within the National Markets (U.S.A. Only) we have the New Energy Homes, i.e., The Tiny House (under 1,000 square feet) and The High Performance Living House (over 1,000 square feet), both of which were developed to meet the demand for Durability, Resiliency, Affordability and Energy Conservation, while, yet, integrating progressive designs. To realize such stated Objective, Team Global House recognized the need to address the “Social Triple Bottom Line,” Economy, Ecology and Sociology, in a positive way.
We believe we need to offer a housing solution that would change the way America builds and lives.
Why care about such Change?
Large & growing number of “McMansions” = Unaffordable
Escalation of Energy and Maintenance Costs = Unsustainable
Recent Housing Crisis = Unattainable
As a result, there has been a significant decrease in Ownership.
Obviously, all of the prior stated headlines, facts, suggest the need to lead such necessary “Change Process” within the U.S. and, at that same time, provide Strong, Energy-Efficient, Affordable Housing that addresses initial cost of purchase of a house AND sustainability in terms of operating costs moving forward.
To that end, it was crucial to design a product that was Energy-Efficient, thereby, reducing energy costs meaningfully. To do that we understood the need to engineer a housing system that was capable of interrupting & reducing all three forms of heat transfer. Reducing all three forms of heat transfer such as Conduction, Convection and Radiation is crucial to managing and reducing energy costs. This concept is integrated into The New Energy Home system design and the building materials deployed.
Thus, the New Energy Home, is the most affordable home being built today- based on initial costs AND energy and maintenance operating costs, thus, meaningfully, addressing sustainable operating energy costs.
Question: What are some of the selected features of a New Energy Home…
Response:
High Performance “Envelope,” proprietary engineered structure wrapped around a Post-Frame Construction which incorporates anchor posts that are 5”x6” (3-Ply 2”x6”) finger-jointed, nail, laminated, pressure treated (anti-termite), Southern Yellow Pine, inserted 2.5 feet deep, at a minimum, deeper, if need be, depending on the location of the frost line, cleated onto a pre-cast concrete pad (for the Tiny House), Poured Concrete (for the larger High Performance Living House.)
In addition, the High Performance proprietary engineered structure includes a 10.5” thick wall system (vs. traditional 6”), which includes 12” of R38 Textrafine insulation on the interior of the roof structure and 6” of R19 Textrafine insulation inside the interior walls.
Standing Seam Steel Cool Roof Technology. Exterior Steel, Galvalume, Roof is covered with a “Cool Color” Paint System. (Highly Reflective)
Insulated 4” concrete slab for heat retention.
New Energy Home capitalizes on the knowledge of the three (3) Forms of Heat Transfer. The integrated air spaces, thermal breaks, radiant barriers and dynamic building frame create an exterior shell that reduces the energy demand for comfort and thereby reduces the size of the renewable system that is needed for energy independence.
Aesthetically blends well into geographic areas. Designed to have good “curb appeal. As a result, a high degree of Pride of Ownership.
Question: Does The New Energy Home meet and or comply with all applicable building codes, including Dade County Building Code, especially, as it relates to wind loads?
Response: Yes. The New Energy Home is designed and engineered to specifically MEET, COMPLY WITH, ALL relevant International Building Codes (I.B.C.) AND current Miami-Dade and Florida building codes, if applicable, for all construction within the United States which, of course, would include all U.S.A. territories, such as Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and or American Samoa.
In particular, that would include the Post-Frame Construction, which is specifically outlined, referenced, within the I.B.C. located in Section 2306 Allowable Stress Design AND ALL SUCH WIND LOADS would meet, at a minimum, ALL Residential Wind Loads in accordance with Section 1609 and figures 1609, A, B & C of the I.B.C. as well.
In addition to the aforementioned I.B.C. compliance, ALL Post-Frame Construction details are in compliance with the published guidelines of The National Frame Building Association (NFBA) that was most recently updated, in 2015, 2nd edition. Please visit the NFBA website, www.nfba.org, for further details. In addition, we recommend you reference NFBA "sister" website, www.postframeadvantage.com for additional details and insights as well.
Question: What type of nail, fastener, is utilized within all New Energy Homes?
Response: Typically, a 4” – 6” Galvanized Ring-Shank nails are used for the girts and purlins. We choose to utilize such nails, made from stiffer stock steel so the shanks can be smaller in diameter to help reduce wood splitting without bending.
In addition, such Ring and Spiral-Shanked nails provide exceptional holding power or “withdraw value.”
Independent testing have proven such Ring-Shank nails have approximately 3 – 4 times more the “withdrawal value” in comparison to alternative options, such as a screw (spiral) shank nail. Please visit the following website for such independent testing results:
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/aa85/65efbdca05632dc1f91d257ed3e5872755db.pdf
Question: Are interior walls and doors included?
Response: Interior wall framing is included. Drywall and Interior doors are not included.
Drywall and or interior doors can be added, if desired, via the “Interior Finishing Option” at an additional cost.
Question: Are the wood materials pressure treated against termites?
Response: Yes. The wood materials with direct contact with the ground and up to 18" above the ground are in fact pressure treated specifically against termites.
Question: What about Plumbing, Electrical, Heating, Ventilation and or Air Conditioning (HVAC) functionality? Does the Base Price include any Mechanical Work specifically related to Plumbing, Electrical and or HVAC?
Response: No. The Base Price does not include any Mechanical work. All such Mechanical work, i.e., Electrical, Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation and or Air Conditioning (HVAC) would be completed by the respective sub-contractor, selected by the General Contractor/Builder, that specializes in such Mechanical work.
Further, it is recommended that all such Mechanical Plans be processed prior to construction of such New Energy Home.
Question: How does the price of a New Energy Home compare to conventional construction?
Response: Within the Domestic market, the prices of these homes are comparable to typical stud-frame construction. However, there is a MAJOR positive difference in energy efficiency and structural integrity that affects operating costs, moving forward, and, thus, affordability and sustainability very favorably.
Question: How does the price of a New Energy Home compare to conventional construction?
Response: Within the Domestic market, the prices of these homes are comparable to typical stud-frame construction. However, there is a MAJOR positive difference in energy efficiency and structural integrity that affects operating costs, moving forward, and, thus, affordability and sustainability very favorably.
Question: Why would a local builder/developer want to utilize a New Energy Home product?
Response: We believe we are one of the few home designers that are seriously addressing high performance and energy-efficiency, thereby, keeping sustainability and affordability at the forefront of our product offerings, whether that is our Tiny House (under 650 total square feet) and or High Performance Living House Models (over 650 total square feet).
Builders and developers are constantly seeking for ways to be different and carve out a niche market and our aforementioned Tiny Living House and or High Performance Living House Models provides such a unique opportunity, which will enable them to serve the full spectrum of the marketplace because of the unique value proposition they will represent and offer to their customers.
Thereby, especially, be able to focus on the underserved market of $200K and below in which, currently, is ever shrinking and forcing families to forgo the dream of owning a home.
According to recent research conducted by California-based Real Estate Consulting firm, “Homes priced under $200K made up 44 percent of the market in 2010. Today, in 2017, they are just 16 percent of new, for-sale construction.
Thus, Team Global House is offering a housing product that will enable Builders/Developers to be part of the solution in filing such ever widening void in an effort to reverse such aforementioned troubling trend.
Question: How can a New Energy Home become a Net Zero Home?
Response: New Energy Home is the most affordable home being built today – based on initial costs AND energy and maintenance operating costs, thus, meaningfully, addressing the sustainable cost basis. In addition, when the Thin Solar Film option is purchased and installed, the New Energy Home becomes a Net Zero Home.
Seven Steps to Zero Energy Homes…
1. Design the structure and materials to reduce the energy load on the house.
2. Decrease the energy requirements for space heating, cooling and water.
3. Increase the efficiency and reduce the size of the HVAC.
4. Install energy efficient lighting fixtures (LED).
5. Install energy efficient appliances.
6. Install a properly sized Photovoltaic (PV) System.
7. Change your thought process and lifestyle – turn off lights, computers and appliances when not in use.
Thus, Team Global House products contribute positively to reduced impact on the planet, built to last, low maintenance.
Question: Are New Energy Homes considered “Green?”
Response: Yes. A New Energy Home is “Carbon Positive.”
Question: What is the typical Home Energy Rating System (“HERS”) Score for a New Energy Home?
Response: A New Energy Home, typically, has proven, via independent testing, to have, generally, a Home Energy Rating System (“HERS”) score somewhere in the “50s range” without Solar, on a scale of 0 to 150. If Solar is added such “HERS” Rating moves closer to 0 within such “HERS” scale.
Question: Why, in particular, was The Tiny House (Under 650 sq. ft.) designed?
Response: The Tiny House was designed to offer a single family, on-site set-up, permanent housing solution, which incorporates all of the aforementioned New Energy Home features/benefits, while enabling a larger portion of people to participate in owning a home, thereby, contributing to, helping, reversing the declining trend of home-ownership.
In doing so, the Tiny House can possibly offer a social sense of community while focusing on much needed urban redevelopment for those inner cities that have been affected by urban decay.
Thus, the Tiny House concept is a transformative innovation. They are, again, on permanent foundations, that are ecologically friendly, socially inclusive and economically sound.
Thus, Tiny House and Tiny Living Communities (TLCs) foster the development of diverse, vibrant and engaged neighborhoods and communities.
Tiny House concept is a perfect fit for both the younger and older segments of the U.S. Population while addressing, positively, the aforementioned “Triple Bottom Line.”
Question: Why, then, in particular, was The High Performance Living House (Over 650 sq. ft.) designed?
Response: The High Performance Living House was designed to offer a housing solution, which incorporates all of the aforementioned New Energy Home features/benefits, while providing a better fit, option, for the larger, growing family.
Also, perhaps, from a local building code perspective, some such U.S. geographic areas require a minimum square foot size residence that is above 650 square feet. Thus, the High Performance Living Model would provide such a suitable solution.
