Corporate
Bill Guarantee Program Launched with Post-Floyd Development ProjectApril 4, 2001
Contractors broke ground on the development, known as 'The Field of Dreams,' in mid-January. Five houses are already under construction, with the labor being performed by a combination of volunteers, prison inmates, and paid subcontractors. The houses, geared toward providing permanent housing to eastern North Carolina residents displaced by Floyd, will sell for under $40,000-less than cost-due to the financial and material contributions of the various organizations involved. Advanced Energy's efforts are being funded through a flood recovery grant from the North Carolina Energy Office.
Advanced Energy is serving in a quality control capacity over certain aspects of the construction, including air sealing and installation of insulation and HVAC systems. In addition, Advanced Energy will conduct performance testing on the finished houses that will lead to EPA Energy Star ® certification. And, as a required part of Advanced Energy's program, a fresh air, whole-house mechanical ventilation system is being included in the homes as a health and safety feature. Preliminary estimates indicate that heating and cooling costs for the new homes will be as little as $20-25 per month. For the first two years of occupancy, Advanced Energy will guarantee the annual heating and cooling costs of the homes and will make up the difference for any overage. Advanced Energy will also guarantee comfort levels in the homes, meaning that if the center of each room in the house is not within 3° of the thermostat set point, Advanced Energy will see to repairs necessary to rectify the situation.
"By reducing energy use in these homes, we can reduce the environmental impacts associated with high energy use," says Katz. "And, by offering a heating and cooling bill guarantee for these homes, we hope to demonstrate that we can achieve high levels of energy efficiency in any type of house. We're willing to put our money where our mouth is to show it can be done." "With Advanced Energy's input, we've really raised the bar on this type of construction," says Eddie White, construction manager for the project. White is coordinating the various sources of labor involved in the project and overseeing the implementation of Advanced Energy's building science principles into the construction methods used. He is working closely with Advanced Energy's Arnie Katz and Bill Klotz to ensure that the planned energy efficiency features are incorporated into the homes throughout the process. White also attended Advanced Energy's Principles of Building Science training course in March.
For a partial listing of organizations involved in the creation of The Field of Dreams, with their role indicated and contact information where available, click here . To learn more about Advanced Energy consulting and training services available to nonprofit housing developers, please contact Arnie Katz at akatz@advancedenergy.org or (919) 857-9029 .
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As part of a cooperative effort headed by the 
Advanced Energy seeks to optimize the durability, comfort, and affordability of these new homes as well as to help protect the health and safety of the future occupants through the application of sound 
"We hope to increase the financial well-being of families moving into these houses by reducing their monthly energy costs and to improve their physical well-being by making these houses healthier places to live in than typical houses are," says 
"From the way we are joining the flooring and wall systems to the way we are installing the insulation, Advanced Energy's techniques and knowledge are allowing us to truly maximize the energy efficiency of these houses," says White. "Without a doubt, I'm personally going to apply this knowledge to everything I do in my residential construction in the future."