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Habitat for Humanity LEED Homes in Portland to Receive National Award

The two homes in northeast Portland received a Platinum certification and are one of 20 national projects being recognized for the EnergyValue Housing Award.

January 7, 2010 (Portland, Ore.)–The NAHB Research Center has announced that Habitat for HumanityPortland/Metro East is one of 20 builders from 15 states to have been selected to receive the 2010 EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA), the nation’s preeminent energy efficiency award honoring builders who voluntarily incorporate energy efficiency into all aspects of new
home construction.
Now in its 15th year, the EVHA is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy through its Building America program, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in addition to the NAHB Research Center. The EVHA challenges builders to elevate standards for energy-efficient construction, provides educational opportunities for home builders, and fosters the adoption of energy efficiency principles.
Finalists were selected from builders’ projects in three climate regions (cold, moderate, hot) and five categories (affordable, custom/demonstration, factory-built, multi-family, production).
Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East completed two homes in April 2009 that received LEED Platinum certification. These homes were the first LEED-certified Habitat homes in Oregon, and were the result of a unique opportunity and collaboration between the Cascadia Region Building Council, Walsh Construction Co., Bank of America and Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East has a commitment to green building and continuously looks for ways to make homes affordable to buy and affordable to live in. Most Habitat homes are already Energy Star efficient, and currently four more homes are slated to receive an Earth Advantage Gold accreditation. The LEED demonstration project was an opportunity to utilize many non-traditional products and systems that Habitat wished to learn about. A large amount of the materials and labor for this project were donated, which allowed the homes to be affordable for low-income families. The families will purchase the homes at cost and pay a 0% interest mortgage. While building green is more expensive, the long-term benefits of lower-energy cost help make these additional up front costs worthwhile.
It is Habitat’s hope that the LEED homes can become a model of how socially and environmentally responsible decision-making can ultimately provide more progressive and energy-efficient homes for families in need.
The EVHA awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held during the International Builders’ Show on January 18, 2010, at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel. While finalists have already been notified of their status, their placement (Gold, Silver, Builder of the Year, People’s Choice) will be announced at the awards celebration. For more information please visit http://www.nahbrc.com/evha/.
Some features of the Habitat LEED homes on 604 NE Webster:
● FSC Certified framing lumber from local sources.
● Standing seam metal roofing from Taylor roofing.
● Faswall, a wood-chip Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) locally produced with recycled wood fiber is used in the low walls of both homes.
● American Clay interior plaster produced from local clay by local craftsmen.
● Yolo Colorhouse provided locally produced, organically based paint product.
● SIPs panels and standing seam metal roof manufactured in Oregon.
● Marvin Integrity Fiberglass windows and patio doors.
● Owens-Corning Blown-in fiberglass insulation and rigid foam insulation.
● Fly-ash in concrete.
● Concrete from demolition re-used for landscape pavers.
● Decks constructed from reclaimed discarded wood.
● Paperstone countertops in one unit, Urea-Formaldehyde free laminate counters in the other.
● Urea-formaldehyde free composite woods and cabinets.
● Marmoleum floors in kitchen, bath, and utility areas.
● 100% wool carpets with 100% jute backing in sleeping areas.

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