Earlier this month, the Union County Housing Authority announced the addition of an energy efficient duplex designed as a template of sustainable design for future housing projects. With a long list of practical, affordable, energy-saving features, the home units are expected to save 40-70 percent over existing housing units.
Were going to be able to take the design work we have done on this house and wherever we have vacant lots within existing neighborhoods within our Union County community, this type of housing could be built there, says Engle. We have already done all the design work so we think it is going to be something very affordable and a definite asset to our community.
The homes include a wide range of technologies from Energy Star appliances to prefabricated foam insulated walls to recycled content siding. But perhaps the most exciting feature is the energy metering software that will be tracking the total energy usage of each unit. Once this data is collected, the UCHA will add it to a website database so that the community can see how much each unit is saving. With a project so simple, Engle is optimistic that Union Countys vacant lots will be painted green in no time.
With this data, we will probably do some additional new construction, perhaps a subdivision, says Engle. And we are letting our communities know that if they have a lot that could use a project like this to let us know so that we can acquire the lot, get a grant, build a home and sell it.
Source: Jere Engle, Union County Housing Authority
Writer: John Steele
