News 2

The First of three zero energy HUD homes scheduled for construction in San Angelo, Texas is presently nearing completion. Designed specifically for low income habitants, this house offers a wide array of sustainable ammonites. This standard ranch style three bedroom, two bath, one car garage home offers a total living space of 1,332 square feet and is located at 814 West 18th street San Angelo, Texas. The home designed by Universal Design Consortium Inc., a Lubbock based sustainable architectural firm, and is projected to set the stage for additional zero energy homes to be constructed for low income citizens of San Angelo by the Community Development Department throughout the year. Design of this home began in March of 2008 with the following in mind:

» Reduced Energy Consumption through conservation strategies

»Maximized energy retention through high performance insulation envelope

»Reduced operational maintenance

»Low and fixed income affordability

»Handicap Accessible adaptability

»Increased resale value

»Xeroscaped landscaping

»Drip irrigation system

»Gray water collection system

»Renewable energy production system

»Passive solar configuration

»Reduced construction difficulty

The home achieved a Platinum LEED rating with analysis provided by GWS out of Oklahoma.

Its capabilities include handicap adaptability. Although not fully ADA configured, the home is designed with accessibility in mind. All doors are configured for handicap accessibility and bathrooms, kitchen and closets are constructed to be adapted if the need arises. The building is designed with blocking behind the walls for the future installation of handicap hardware if required at a later date by the occupants.

Second the home is designed with passive solar in mind. Passive solar design strategies are at the heart of this design. Although the site has limited the maximum passive solar design flexibility, areas of concern such as the exterior walls thermal radiation absorption rates and zones, window locations/ sizes and protective roof overhangs have been considered and installed to provide maximize passive advantages. Additional non-visible solar strategies have been designed into the home to maximise passive