In this issue
		Energy Services Bulletin home page
		Recycling promotion highlights energy efficiency, local resources
		MHA Nation tackles wind development one step at a time
		ACORE committee provides renewable energy forum for utilities
		Schools, forests, taxpayers all win with Fuels for Schools
		Utilities join projects to promote energy-efficient homes
		SOLAR 2006 focuses on renewable energy's role in climate recovery
		Automated meter reading spreads through Western territory
		Nebraska utility, university partner on energy research center
		Western plans workshops to demystify power factor
		New Equipment Loan manager brings experience, plans to job
		Topics from the Power Line: Powering irrigation with renewable energy
		Energy shorts
		Technology spotlight: Pressure-independent valves - Do they save energy?
		Calendar of events

Utilities join projects to promote energy-efficient homes

The Suburban Northwest Builders Association's Energy House III, in Elk River, Minn., proves that efficient homes can be just as attractive and affordable as conventional homes. (Photo by Suburban Northwest Builders Association)

Like any system designed to perform certain functions, houses have operating costs, yet homebuyers rarely factor those into their purchasing decisions. A group of builders, equipment vendors and utilities in the upper Midwest are working together and independently to change that.

"What people don't realize is that there are two mortgages associated with a house," said Don Mordal, president of Preferred Energy Solutions. "The first, of course, is the house payment and the second is the operating cost—the bill for heating and cooling, lighting and appliances."

Mordal's company promotes SmartRooms radiant heating systems manufactured by Therma-Ray. The systems are being installed in some energy-efficient homes in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Other efficiency strategies upper Midwest builders are using include structural insulated panels, poured-in-place basement walls, electric air-to-air and geothermal heat pumps, off-peak electric water heaters, efficient lighting and Energy Star appliances. Combining a highly insulated building shell with energy-efficient equipment can reduce home operating costs by 40 to 75 percent. "Ultimately, it makes a home more affordable," said Mordal.

Creating utility-builder partnerships

The secret, said Marketing Manager Marshal Albright of Cass County Electric Cooperative, is to plan for energy savings even before construction begins. "A utility that wants to help its residential customers save energy has to develop a relationship with local builders," he said. "The Touchstone Energy Home program is giving us the opportunity to do that."

A Touchstone Energy Cooperative in Florida originally created the program to help its member co-ops promote energy-efficiency and comfort standards for new, existing and manufactured homes. Cass County Electric modified the program for the local climate and is partnering with a local builder, Eidsness Construction, to build the first Touchstone Energy Home in Fargo, N.D. The plan is for the house to go a step beyond the Touchstone program to meet Energy Star standards.

Features will include either a high-efficiency air source heat pump or electric radiant heating system with a high efficiency gas furnace to take advantage of Cass County's off-peak program, and an electric water heater that exceeds 100 gallons and an energy factor rating of .91 or greater. The building envelope will have R-21 wall insulation, R-19 basement wall insulation and R-49 ceiling or attic insulation, along with double-pane windows and insulated doors. All appliances will meet Energy Star and lighting will be compact fluorescents.

"These measures will save homeowners about 40 percent on their energy bills while providing a more comfortable environment," said Albright. "And it helps improve our electricity sales. This is good business no matter how you look at it."

The Touchstone Energy home will be completed in October—in time for Fargo's 2006 HBA Fall Parade of Homes. Beginning October 1, all local builders will be able to participate in the Touchstone program. It will be the builder’s option whether or not the home will also be Energy Star certified.

Homes bust 'expensive efficiency' myth

An EarthStorage heating system is installed in the floor of an energy-efficient home during construction. Using off-peak rates, the system is a cost-effective heating option, especially for new homes. (Photo by Don Mordal)

Energy Homes, Inc., comprising two of the Fargo area's three Energy Star-qualified builders, will seek Touchstone certification. "The company has so much confidence in its energy-efficient homes that it may offer to pay the homeowner's electric heating bills for the first five years," said Energy Homes Partner Jerry Fontaine.

The structures incorporate Amvic insulated concrete forms, triple-pane Schuco windows and SmartRooms Earth Storage and radiant ceiling systems. According to Mordal, an electric radiant heating system using off-peak rates is an excellent and cost-effective option, especially for new construction.

These measures add about 5 to 8 percent to the home's price, said Fontaine, "while reducing heating costs up to 75 percent, and almost eliminating your cooling bill. An Energy Home is also up to eight times quieter than a conventional stick framed home," the builder said.

These features not only exceed Energy Star qualifications, but will more than double wall and foundation R-value to R-40 to 50, and triple window R-value with R-9 windows.

"The goal is to get buyers to think about houses in terms of performance—a building's miles per gallon, so to speak—and not just about the price," added Mordal.

Another demonstration of efficient home building, the Energy House III in Elk River, Minn., will receive an $800 geothermal heat pump rebate from Elk River Municipal Utilities. The municipal utility will also provide rebates for an Energy Star refrigerator, dishwasher and clothes washer installed in the house.

Efficient homes attractive too

Suburban Northwest Builders Association built the Energy House III with the city of Elk River to educate consumers about energy-efficient options. R-24 SIP walls, triple-pane Schuco windows, slab radiant heat and a geothermal heat pump are only a few of the energy-saving features in this all-electric show home. “The house is also packed with attractive features and plenty of curb appeal, because it will always have our name on it,” said Greg Holst. Holst is president Northwoods Custom Homes, contractor for the Energy House.

Home buying is, after all, as much an emotional decision as a financial one. A home has to be attractive and inviting, or buyers won't bother to ask about its operating costs. Albright pointed out that an energy-efficient home will look and operate just like a conventional house.

Combining good looks and efficiency is not a problem in Fontaine's view. "Because ICF is structural, you can build all shapes," he said.

Energy House III proved that by winning the Structural Insulated Panel Association award for building excellence. “We still want people to walk in and say, ‘Wow it looks like any other house. It’s beautiful and energy efficient,’” said Holst.

Elk River and SNBA held the open house for Energy House III on April 22—Earth Day 2006—and had an excellent turnout. Utilities outside the area can learn about the Energy House's features by taking the online virtual tour.

As Cass County Electric knows, if a utility is looking for ways to offer consumers comfort and savings, manage its load and protect the environment, there's no place like home.