9/20/02

AU'S HABITAT HOUSE SETS NEW ENERGY EFFICIENCY PRECEDENT

AUBURN -- The U. S. Department of Energy's Building America program has evaluated Auburn University's DESIGNhabitat home, using the Home Energy Rating System, and found it to be an Energy Star©, the first Habitat house to meet the rigorous standard.

Students and faculty from AU's College of Architecture, Design and Construction, the state organization of Habitat for Humanity and the nonprofit organization DesignAlabama designed and built a new type of Habitat house, dubbed DESIGNhabitat.

The house in Opelika features an integrated approach to energy efficiency, durability and practicality.

David Hinson, an associate professor of architecture at AU who led the student team, said one of the major goals of the DESIGNhabitat project was to conserve energy.

"That significant goal has been realized and the 50 home campaign can make a significant difference to Habitat homeowners in the state," Hinson said.

The Alabama Association of Habitat Affiliates hopes the prototype will become a standard approach for affordable housing and has developed a campaign to build 50 DESIGNhabitat houses in the state.

Through the national Energy Star© program, homes are rated similar to the auto industry's miles-per-gallon ratings. Those that are predicted to be 30 percent more efficient than the national model energy code -- such as the DESIGNhabitat home -- are awarded the designation.

The 30 percent savings translates into as much as $400 annual saving for an average three-bedroom home.

Savings are achieved through a combination of cost effective, proven-energy improvements including a properly sealed duct system, optimum window orientation, climate appropriate levels of insulation in the floors, walls, and ceiling, efficient windows and high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment.

AU students who designed and built the DESIGNhabitat house, learned from the past to minimize the need for heating and cooling.

Porches and overhangs protect the south facing windows. A whole-house fan that pulls air out of the house and draws air through open windows even when bedroom doors are closed assists natural ventilation. Louvered transom vents over each bedroom door allows air to flow freely in or out of the room, improving ventilation, comfort and indoor air quality.

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sep02: AU-habenergy

CONTACT: Hinson, 334/844-5438. ------ Web Links: DESIGNhabitat: http://www.designhabitat.org