Apr 6 2005
This year like never before, we've all had a glimpse of just how important energy efficiency truly is... and just how costly its lack can be.
From rolling blackouts in California to an all-time high for heating homes right here in Oklahoma, the need for optimum efficiency in homes has never been greater. In all likelihood, that need will not drop. It is expected to climb. Luckily for those prospective home owners who live in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, Ideal Homes, the state's largest homebuilder, has been honored nationally for the energy efficiency of its homes.
The first US builder in its investment range to receive the Environmental Protection Agency's Five-Star rating, Ideal Homes builds homes featuring remarkably tight construction. The company performs air blower tests in their constructed homes to ensure quality control. A mechanical ventilation system guarantees fresh air and a 12-SEER air conditioner reduces summertime cooling bills.
"We concentrate on keeping what's desirable in our homes and anything less than desirable out," Scott Wertzberger, sales consultant for Royal Oaks, one of Ideal Homes fastest-growing communities, explains. "This is especially true when it comes to something as important as air infiltration. Ideal Homes has achieved a .35 ACH rating on its SMART HOUSE™ homes. This is the result of paying close attention to installation practices involving insulation, sheathing, sealants, caulking, windows, doors, weather-stripping, and HVAC units. As a result, our homes excel at keeping high temperatures and allergens out, and comfort and energy efficiency in."
This year alone, Ideal Homes has won two gold Energy Value Housing Awards (EVHA) in the categories of production and affordability. This was due in large part to Ideal Homes building to Health House Advantage program standards, which means the homes are constructed in a manner that helps to improve indoor air quality, while simultaneously reducing excess moisture, dust and elevated contaminants.
An example of how this is achieved is illustrated by Ideal Homes' attention to details. By using total mastic seals and foil-flex duct work, the builder reduces the amount of air put into its attics due to leakage on the supply side and being pulled from the attic on the return side. The net effect is that Ideal homes only have five percent air leakage, compared to the 20 to 25 percent leakage found in the conventional systems used in their competitors' houses.
"Once an Ideal home is built, a certified house diagnostician evaluates its energy efficiency, house pressures and tightness, as well as indoor air quality," Wertzberger says. "An energy analysis determines the home's average heating and cooling costs. To receive a satisfactory rating, the home's analysis must show its costs will average about 30 percent less than those of a house built to current Oklahoma energy code standards."
And nothing less than extraordinary results is considered acceptable by Ideal Homes.
"When I accepted my job with Ideal Homes it was stressed to me that everyone who works here must believe in our stated mission to build 'Qualify Affordable Homes, Today and Tomorrow,'" Wertzberger says. "As a result, I and all of my coworkers do everything we can to optimize energy savings, air quality and comfort in the homes we build. Ideal Homes is committed to building affordable, healthy and energy-efficient homes."
Ideal Homes is the largest homebuilder in the state of Oklahoma with 13 planned communities in Edmond, Moore, Mustang, Norman, Oklahoma City and Yukon. Offering innovative, cost-effective home-building solutions, Ideal Homes specializes in customer care, by providing homesites and financing through Smart-Financing™ lenders, and full-service sales. The company's headquarters is located at 1320 N. Porter in Norman. Please call 405-447-0144 for more information.