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Article published February 22, 2006

 

Energy-efficient Sandusky home isn't just a pretty face

Cutting-edge building materials used

 

By STEVE MURPHY

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

 

SANDUSKY - From its gray siding and front picture window to its tile floors and porcelain sinks, the new bungalow at 1016 Third St. fits right in with surrounding homes constructed decades ago in this central-city neighborhood just blocks from Sandusky Bay.

 

But underneath its traditional style are cutting-edge building materials and mechanical systems that reduce energy use and heating costs.

 

Sandusky resident Mark Norman, who over the past two years built the house for about $100 a square foot for himself and his girlfriend, Sue Daugherty, hopes the project will increase interest in Styrofoam blocks, tankless water heaters, and other energy-saving building systems.

I've had dozens of clients say they want styrofoam walled house, either with this method, or with Structural Insulated Panels (which are plywood sandwiched around foam).  However, when they start getting bids to build such a house, everyone always switches back to standard wood frame construction.  I have seen one concrete/foam house built locally, and I think it is a great product, but people usually opt for more space over energy savings.  Notice that the house in the picture is quite small, and it took him 2 years to builld it!

Most I've ever heard using this technology is people typicaly using the ICF's is in their basements, people usually cheap out when they see total price.

 

If they really want the energy savings they should build one of these http://www.monolithic.com/ These things make this foam house like a drafty old house. There is alot of up front cost in making one, but after that enegry bills are even lower than the foam house.