• Marquis Construction

This BAIHP partner is currently building 10 to 12 SIP homes per year.  HERS scores on the builder's plans determined that the homes ranged between 88 to 90, depending on the windows and water heater chosen.  BAIHP provided Marquis Construction with a list of recommendations to meet Building America durability, IAQ, and energy savings guidelines.  This custom builder's first home test is scheduled for April 15, 2003. 

• Miami-Dade HOPE VI Project

This project is a community revitalization program aimed at lessening poverty density by demolishing dilapidated public housing and replacing it with new, less dense housing.  In this HUD-sponsored inner city redevelopment project, about 860 public housing units are being torn down and replaced with 450 new units.  The new units will include duplexes, townhouses, and single-family homes. 

As part of the sustainable team, FSEC participated in the initial design charette which reviewed project home designs, made architectural recommendations on wall and roof assemblies, exterior finishes, and other energy-related design and construction features.

During 2002, FSEC provided assistance to Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Resources Management as they emphasized the importance of Building America principles and techniques to the Miami-Dade Housing Authority.   The Housing Authority conducted a mandatory value-engineering meeting to ensure that their Hope VI Project would meet the available budget.  FSEC staff, as well as other stakeholders, took part in housing discussions and analysis to ensure that the Building America principles and techniques specified early in the project would be considered and not engineered out of the project.

• Nationwide Homes

FSEC researchers assisted the UCFIE team in conducting an energy benchmarking study for Nationwide Homes.  In September, personnel traveled to the Nationwide Homes modular plant in Arabi, Georgia to tour the plant and test two homes for Energy Star qualification. Recommendations were sent to Nationwide in a trip report, neither home tested successfully qualified for Energy Star.

• Oakwood Homes

Oakwood Homes, a large HUD code manufacturer, requested an FSEC duct installation review and consultation on ways to make the home's systems work better together.  In 2002, plant visits were made to the Oakwood plant in Moultrie, Georgia and to the Hillsboro and Kileen, Texas plants.  Recommendations for appropriate duct system design and manufacture were forwarded.

An Energy Gauge USA analysis of Energy Star and non-Energy Star homes in Boston, Minneapolis, and Indianapolis was performed.  (Please see Table 5.)  Researchers determined that Oakwood Homes could meet Energy Star standards if they increased installed gas heating and cooling system efficiencies, and floor and roof insulation levels.  These results were communicated to Oakwood management.