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Building an Energy-Efficient Florida Home Video

This home will be about 50 percent more energy efficient than a typical Florida home. Bill Zoeller, a consulting architect with Mercedes, has changed specifications and products to make this home as efficient as possible. First, there are low-e insulated windows that will block about 70 percent of solar heat gain. The solid concrete walls are insulated with one inch of polyisocyanurate insulation board that is applied directly to the concrete walls. This insulation, which has the highest R-rating of any insulation on the market, will block the heat buildup during the day from reaching inside the home. In addition to Energy Star-rated appliances, the air conditioning ducts have been dropped to the attic floor and surrounded with insulation to reduce the efficiency challenge presented by running ducts through hot, Florida attic space. This technique was developed in California and is now part of their energy code. Dropping the ducts, wrapping them in insulating foam, and covering them in a polyurethane insulating foam improves efficiency and blocks condensation buildup in this humid climate. Lance Keeling, of BioBased Systems, explains that this foam insulation is soy-based but converted through chemical reaction to become completely inert to eliminate organic matter that could promote mold or mildew growth. This chemical is pressurized and sprayed with a hose to form a foam that sets up in moments. This foam provides a 4.8 R-value per inch but with a desired value of 6 from this part of the insulation, must be sprayed at a 1 1/2-inch thickness. This completely encloses the ducts to prevent any air loss and resulting moisture buildup. If a homeowner were to attempt covering ducts with commercial insulation, potential moisture buildup could be produced causing mold and moisture growth. The key with this technique is that it completely seals the ducts to prevent air loss and resulting moisture buildup. Zoeller and Keeling predict a savings of $100 per month in operating expenses due to the energy-efficient measures employed. Zoeller shows Bob the 14 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) heat pump air conditioning unit installed to cool the house. It is about 40 percent higher in efficiency than a traditional air conditioning unit. While initially more expensive, a smaller unit can be installed due to the high-efiiciency of the overall home.

Additional Bob Vila Showrooms
• Radiantec - Radiantec Solar heating systems for home heat
• Sears - Heating & Cooling Repair
• Radiantec - Radiantec radiant floor heating: Experience, affordability, efficiency & service
• PexSupply.com - Your Online Source for PEX Plumbing & Radiant Heating Supplies
• A.I.M. Radiant Heating - Clean, Quiet, Efficient Heating
• Radiantec - Radiantec: radiant floor and solar heat & hot water systems

Carpentry, Construction & Materials
• Mercedes Homes - General Contractor
• Precise Forms, Inc. - Aluminum form systems for concrete homes and basement foundations
• Solid Wall Systems - Aluminum concrete form system

Floors, Stairs & Elevators
• Porcelanosa - Ferroker large format porcelain tile with oxidized steel finish; glass mosaic tile
• Tom Moorad - Proprietary concrete stain technique

Home Services
• William Zoeller, Steven Winter Associates - Architects & energy consultants

Insulation
• BioBased Systems - Soy-based polyurethane insulation (used to coat attic HVAC ducts)

Pools & Spas
• Blue Haven Pools - Splash pool construction

Real Estate
• Mercedes Homes - Developer - homes designed and built for comfort, elegance, efficiency, and safety in Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas.

Roofing & Siding
• Alcoa Home Exteriors - Ventura® hidden vent vinyl soffit

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	Other Video Clips from this Episode

	Metallic-Look Porcelain Floor Tiles The Porcelanosa oversized tiles are fully installed in the main living space of the Punta Gorda home. Bob looks at the color and the finish, which are unusual in a ... Watch video and view full description
	Color Staining a Concrete Floor Tom Moorad joins Bob to show how his proprietary technique and product for color staining concrete is applied. He explains that the concrete slab should first be etched then treated ... Watch video and view full description
	Storm-Ready Vinyl Roof Soffits Bob looks at storm-ready features on the Punta Gorda house, starting with the front door that is outswinging with a stop to prevent blow-in. He also points out the impact-resistant ... Watch video and view full description
	Building to Beat Storm Surge Todd Davison from FEMA is with Bob to talk about Hurricane Ivan and the power of storm surge. Ivan, unlike Hurricane Charley, had a very wide path and was slow ... Watch video and view full description
	NOW PLAYING Building an Energy-Efficient Florida Home This home will be about 50 percent more energy efficient than a typical Florida home. Bill Zoeller, a consulting architect with Mercedes, has changed specifications and products to make this ...
	Applying Clear Coat Sealer on Color Stained Concrete Tom Moorad is applying the final clear-coat sealer to the concrete floor in the lanai of the Punta Gorda home. It will dry in about two hours and last about ... Watch video and view full description