East Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity (ECMHFH) celebrated the completion of construction on its newest high efficiency home in Princeton at a dedication ceremony on Saturday, October 29. The dedication celebrated two things: 1) the completion of the first of its kind project in high performance, renewable-energy ready housing, and 2) the fulfillment of a dream for simple, decent, and affordable home ownership for a Princeton family.
Designed by students at the University of Minnesota’s College of Design, this unique home was planned and built to use very little energy, with the potential of producing as much energy as it consumes. Through specific design and construction techniques that aim to channel the power of the sun, this solar home includes several practical and inexpensive elements, such as placing the majority of living spaces and window area on the south-facing side of the home, constructing overhangs that allow maximum sun in the winter and minimal sun in the summer, and designing roof pitches that are most effective at capturing the sun’s energy for potential future installation of additional solar components. Finally, careful insulating and air sealing details and techniques ensure a home that needs very little energy to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
“While as a whole this project is unique for now, the design incorporates a lot of strategies that other Habitat for Humanity affiliates can – and will – incorporate on their next builds in their ongoing efforts to economically achieve greater energy savings for homeowners,” says Molly Berg, Sustainable Building Specialist at Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota.
Jeanette Johnson, a single mother of two teen-aged daughters, purchased the home with a no-interest mortgage. She contributed 265 hours of “sweat equity” in the construction of her home, and other volunteers contributed 1,700 hours to help complete the home. Johnson, a long-time resident of Princeton who works two jobs, will most likely see a savings of up to $700 in utility costs each year in this super energy efficient home.
Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Minnesota are leading the way in energy efficient, environmentally responsible, and affordably sustainable home construction. To date, there have been 84 homes built statewide that meet or exceed Energy Star standards. Additionally, Minnesota Habitat homes rate much lower on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index, which is a nationally recognized model for measuring home energy usage. The average HERS index for Habitat homes is 64; an index of 100 is considered “American Standard Building,” and the lower the HERS index, the less energy the house consumes.
“I am very proud of being part of this movement in the right direction for the city, state and environment. I feel every little part someone can do to improve the welfare of our earth is truly priceless,” says Tresa Mazurek, a Minnesota Habitat for Humanity homeowner.
There are several sponsor partners that have contributed to energy efficient construction. With the help and support from the University of Minnesota – College of Design, College of Science and Engineering, and Center for Sustainable Building Research, the Episcopal Church of Minnesota, Xcel Energy, Bremer Bank, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, East Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, and Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, Jeanette Johnson and other Habitat for Humanity homeowners will now have more resources to meet the critical needs of their families.
You can also click here to see more photos or read a story on this project done by Minnesota Public Radio.
About East Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity: East Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that was established in 1994 and is dedicated to building simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with those in need in Pine, Isanti, Chisago, Kanabec and Mille Lacs counties. To date, East Central MN Habitat has partnered with 30 families. For more information, visit http://www.ecmhabitat.com.
About Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota: Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, Inc., is a statewide resource development and support organization that serves, advocates for, and advances the work of Minnesota’s 33 Habitat for Humanity affiliates to build simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need. HFH-MN provides a full range of support to Minnesota affiliates in creating affordable housing solutions for 250+ families yearly through new home construction, A Brush With Kindness, and critical repair programs. For more information, visit http://www.hfhmn.org.
