The Wisconsin Trend Home™, a partnership between the Wisconsin
Builders Foundation (WBA Foundation) and VHBA member company
Schmidt Bros. Custom Homes, Inc., will result in the construction
of a new home that serves as an educational and research tool for
housing professionals and as a promotional tool to the general
public regarding green building techniques.
The home will be sold at fair market value and the proceeds
donated to the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit WBA Foundation to fund
future education and research projects for the benefit of the
housing industry in Wisconsin. Because the home is located within
the jurisdiction of Valley Home Builders Association (VHBA) and
whenever possible, all subcontractors and suppliers working on the
home will be VHBA members, a small percentage of the proceeds will
benefit the VHBA Fund of the WBA Foundation to support education,
research and charitable aid efforts in the Fox Valley area.
The Trend Home is being constructed to the NAHB Research
Center's National Green Building Certification Program,
and will be certified by a third-party verifier, rating the home's
exceptional energy performance and utilization of sustainable
materials. As of April 2010, there are a total of 1,000
certifications to the National Green Building Certification Program
nationwide. In the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin, only one home has
achieved this certification, and it was built by Schmidt Bros.
Custom Homes, the general contractor for the Trend Home 2010.
The NAHB Research Center's Green Building Certification Program
is the result of a consensus committee formed in 2007 to develop a
national green building standard in compliance with the
requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
The resulting ANSI approved ICC-700-2008 National Green
Building Standard, the basis for the NAHB Research
Center's Certification Program, defines green building for single
and multifamily homes, residential remodeling projects and site
development projects while still allowing for the flexibility
required for regionally-appropriate best green practices.
Homes built to the National Green Building
Standard for certification by the NAHB Research Center are
rated in six categories:
Lot design, preparation and development
Resource-efficient features
Water-efficient features
Energy-efficient features
Indoor air quality features
Operation, maintenance and homeowner education
Lot design, preparation and development
From site preparation to landscaping, great care is being taken to
maintain the natural beauty of the home site, include plants that
appropriate for the climate and control erosion in a very
eco-friendly way.
Examples of features of the WI Trend Home 2010 in this category
include…
• Use of erosion control sock
• Minimal disturbance of natural landscape
Resource-efficient features
The home size, floor plan and orientation on the lot take advantage
of natural daylight to reduce lighting needs and use strategies to
reduce heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter.
Whenever possible, renewable and recycled-content materials are
used in the home.
Examples of features of the WI Trend Home 2010 in this category
include…
• Green flooring products throughout the home
• ENERGY STAR® appliances
Water-efficient features
Design features to reduce overall water consumption, such as
plumbing fixtures and appliances, are important aspects of green
homes. Other features may include programmed, low-volume irrigation
systems, rainwater collection systems, wastewater treatment
systems, and hot water recirculation systems also save water. Water
efficiency reduces the home's utility bill and the area's total
demand for clean water.
Examples of features of the WI Trend Home 2010 in this category
include…
• Structured plumbing
Energy-efficient features
From insulation to the latest heating components, energy-saving
features of green homes can include efficient lighting fixtures and
bulbs and renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic
electricity and water heating systems.
Examples of features of the WI Trend Home 2010 in this
category include…
• Re-circulating plumbing for hot water, including heat
recover stack to pre-heat water going to water heater
• Combination of compact fluorescent and LED lighting
throughout the house
• Solar panels
• Energy Management System for controlling energy
consumption
• High insulation ratings - R10 under foundation floor; R20
for foundation walls; R30 for above grade walls; R60 in the
attic
• Windows will have U value of 19 or lower
• Geothermal heat
• Closed combustion wood-burning fireplace
Indoor air quality features
It's important to control the quality of the air inside a
home. The heating, air conditioning and ventilation system (HVAC)
must be appropriately sized for an efficient and properly
ventilated home. Fans in the kitchen and bathrooms should cycle
fresh air inside, and release stale air. Low-VOC paints and
finishes and wall papers should be used as well.
Examples of features of the WI Trend Home 2010 in this category
include…
• Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) with dehumidistat
• Follow EPA guidelines for air quality
• Goal is to set a new record for air tightness (general
contractor Schmidt Bros. Custom Homes had the #1 air tight home in
WI in both 2008 and 2009)
Operation, maintenance and owner
education
The homeowner receives a detailed walk-through, owner's manuals for
all the home's green features and maintenance checklists.
Information is provided to the homeowner about area utilities and
all final certifications remain with the homeowner for future
information.
Examples of features of the WI Trend Home 2010 in this category
include…
• Through public events, tours and online and traditional
media exposure, the WI Trend Home 2010 will extend its educational
reach to other homeowners who wish to "green" their homes
• Homeowner will receive official certifications for the
home's compliance with the NAHB Research Center's National Green
Building Certification Program and the WI ENERGY STAR® program