homes
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Artistic Homes' 'Net-Zero' Houses Create As Much Energy As They Use
By Story By Kathryn Holzka
For the Journal
Artistic Homes, a locally based, family-owned business headed by Jerry Wade and his son, Tom Wade, prides itself on holding a leadership position in building energy-efficient homes that demonstrate green can be beautiful.
And they have the awards to prove it.
The company was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy with a certificate of achievement "for incorporating best energy performance, quality, comfort, heat and safety in the market" with its new "net-zero" energy home, which produces as much energy as it consumes.
The DOE award was made in recognition of Artistic Homes' building the second net-zero home in the nation in compliance with DOE's stringent standards for its Build America Builders' Challenge to encourage the nation's home builders to incorporate high-energy efficiency in their building designs.
"We accepted that challenge in 2007, and we are proud to have created a truly net-zero energy home 12 years ahead of the 2020 target date set by DOE," said Jerry Wade.
That home can be seen in the new 1,666-square-foot model (Model 1666) that recently opened in its Yucatan del Este in Cabezon subdivision in Rio Rancho.
The home features the complete net-zero energy package, which can be incorporated into any house Artistic Homes builds in its four subdivisions under development in the greater Albuquerque area.
The net-zero package aside, Tom Wade said, "All of our homes are built to be energy efficient, using the best in materials and construction techniques. On the DOE's new Energy Smart home scale, the typical existing home rates 130, the typical new home rates 100, while the Builders Challenge target rate is 70. All our homes rate a 57 or lower, which puts us in the forefront of energy-efficient builders." The lower the number, the more energy-efficient the home. Artistic's net-zero home ranks 0.
"With our net-zero energy home package add-on," Tom Wade said, "the home owner can expect to get a rebate every month from the electric company because the home generates more energy than it uses and the homeowner is paid for the energy that is returned to the grid."
He said that after the net-zero home was on-line for a month, Artistic Homes received a rebate check from Public Service Company of New Mexico for $130 to cover the excess electric power generated.
The home is a system within a system, built from the foundation up to ensure high energy performance.
"Every home we build is tested by a third party energy rater to assure it meets the highest standards," Tom Wade said.
"Our commitment to combining craftsmanship, design and energy efficiency is one of the overriding goals of the company," he said.
Model 1666 also proves that green can be as easy on the eye as it is on the environment.
Artistic Homes has been building in New Mexico for 43 years, and since 1998 has constructed more than 5,500 high performance energy-efficient homes that incorporate grace and style in floor plans, while taking into account a family's needs for space and functionality.
The model home features a light, bright interior with raised ceilings in all living areas, ceramic tile throughout (though buyers can request carpet), arched doorways and openings, rounded interior drywall corners, energy star lighting fixtures and brushed chrome interior door hardware.
A gourmet kitchen offers a choice of hardwood cabinetry, tile flooring, energy star appliances, laminate countertops, which can be upgraded to solid surface, and a kitchen pantry.
The three-bedroom, two-bath floor plan is a single-story model, and the design incorporates generous closet and storage space.
The baths feature a combination tub/shower, vanity cabinet sinks, tile flooring, pressure balanced shower control and low water consumption toilet.
The full net-zero energy package option includes photovoltaic solar panels to generate electricity, a solar thermal hot water system, R-50 ceiling insulation, a 15 SEER refrigerated air conditioning unit, and an air exchanger with energy recovery and HEPA air filtration system, plus additional energy efficient components. The net-zero energy home is all electric, while the builder's other high efficiency standard models offer gas heat.
Depending on the size of the home, the system adds anywhere from $42,690 to $61,900 to the cost. For example, it costs an additional $44,875 for the 1666 model.
"Assuming a 6 percent mortgage, if a buyer were to take the tax credits and utility savings provided and apply them toward principle reduction, a 30-year mortgage could be paid off in 20 years," said marketing director Randy Campbell, illustrating the advantages of the net-zero energy package as applied to the Model 1666. "That represents about a $126,300 savings in interest," he said.
Artistic Homes' high energy-efficient homes offer one- and two-story models from 1,305 square feet to 2,907 square feet and are priced from $161,000 to $258,000.
Other solar options offered by Artistic are: 1) photovoltaic solar only, which adds from $11,170 to $17,380, depending on the size of the home, or 2) photovoltaic only with gas heat, which adds $31,290 to $51,800, depending on square footage of the home.
The Yucatan del Este in Cabezon sales office is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. For more information, call 505-890-0344.
To visit the model home, from Southern Boulevard turn south on Golf Course Road, south to Chianti, west to Alamo and north to the model at 2726 Walsh Loop.
ESTIMATED MONTHLY PAYMENTS:
(includes estimated taxes and insurance)
For $258,000 home (price includes upgrades and zero net energy package)
(1,666 square feet): $1,455.59
Assumptions: 20 percent down; 5.75 percent, 30-year conventional mortgage
Source: Mace Kochenderfer, Anchor Mortgage Group
STANDARD FEATURES:
Ceramic tile in entry, kitchen, utility room and baths
Laminate countertops
Energy Star appliance package
Low E glass energy saver windows
Front yard landscaping with drip system and automatic timer
Home certified by U.S. Green Building Council; LEED H certified; qualifies for Sustainable Building Tax Credit for the homeowner
HEATING/COOLING:
Forced gas heat/refrigerated cooling/tankless hot water heaters
INSULATION VALUES:
Blown-in insulation, R-38 ceiling, R-23 walls, R-10 2-inch ridged insulated foundations