Our quest to energy efficiency and "Net Zero" for the home market

by Steven Lefler

Who builds factory-built energy efficient homes? What would be the reason to sell a Title 25 energy efficient home? When would a buyer want to buy one of these homes? Where would you put one of them? How does one request to build an energy efficient home? Why make a home's floor plan and layout easier for a senior?

These energy efficient homes are coming about due to changes in lending, population, scarce utilities and government mandates. Many forget the simple fact that a senior lives in their home 24/7 and does not go outside too often. The senior has complete control of their home's indoor temperature more than a family.

Our home solves the issue of many families looking to include their senior relative on their land.

A home like this could be placed in a senior manufactured home community.

Our home addresses the "Housing Element" reports for affordable low income seniors and help Cities redevelopment agency in need for efficient affordable housing to a segment of the population who is on fixed or low to middle income residents.

Our home placed in The Mojave Desert, Coastal, Northern and Southern California solves the lack of additional electrical power for Air Conditioning at peak times in the summer season.

The mountain communities have different requirements in the winter on how it must control the indoor temperature at the lowest cost. Unfortunately, not all homes can have solar. The idea of a wind turbine that can supplement the electrical cost is feasible in certain locals.

We have been on a quest to build a home that is very energy efficient since 2008. Our homeowners and renters have been surprised by the monthly reduction of their electric and gas utility usage. Needless to say, they keep more of their money too. This is especially true when compared to their previous residence location and depending on the climate zone in which they had resided.

We recently have completed our Ojai project home in climate zone 9. Our other homes we completed were in Climate Zone 6 and 16. Our Ojai Senior fixed income homeowner has shared his last 5 months of his utility bills. The total dollars spent since Sept. 2009 has been only $186 for electric and gas. The neighbor (a family) has spent $368 for their total utilities for the same period. The senior who lives in this home 24/7 has $182 more in his wallet because of our affordable energy efficient home. Another homeowner in San Juan Capistrano - a senior on fixed Income - has seen her total utility bills average 17% - 116% below 4 of her neighbors since 03/01/2009. She too has more money in her wallet.

Our "Quest" home was the featured attraction at the Green Expo in Sacramento Ca April 24-25, 2010. We showcased a factory built home to the public with an FHA/VA approved Green foundation system. The home and foundation together makes this home qualify for conventional financing on land. The plumbing of grey water will water the landscape without purchasing more water. The addition of Solar, Wind and Solar Thermal water heating will supplement and reduce their need for more utilities now and in the future.

Our intent for many years has been to convince the skeptical public that affordable, factory built green homes are now possible and better than conventional construction. The fact is a factory built home reduces on site waste, reduces construction time, uses modern building techniques and does exceed conventional (Title 24) construction over 15% if the proper materials are used, are highly energy efficient, and are classed as "Energy Star" by a HERS rater, that green power technologies can be added at the homeowner's discretion with ease and less expense.

These homes can easily be transported to land without utility connections. This home is a great candidate for "Off Grid" home installations where utilities are not easily accessible. The General Contractor cannot compete on transportation, workers quality in remote locations, cost overruns, price, speed and waste. The idea to replace your home with ours rather than remodel a home for energy efficiency is now a serious consideration.

The General Contractor is not able to produce energy efficient comparisons of their work since their homes are not built yet. The 2008 Title 24 just became enacted on 01/01/2010. The mere fact that the contractor who starts to remodel an existing home will uncover more problems as he begins the efficiency work will result in more cost overruns than the original estimate. The time comparison is removed from the equation and is not competitive. When something is new and different the eyes of the County and State building inspectors, Energy Commissions, Utilities, FHA, VA, Fannie and Freddie to our type of home is unique and overwhelming.

The homeowner has a choice to consider in determining the best course of action for his home construction. The attitude of factory built housing (HUD) in the U.S. can begin to diminish. Our goal is for our homes to be one in the same as that of a traditional home construction just better constructed and energy efficient. If we could place one of these homes in an existing neighborhood without resistance; the home buyers will not see a difference.##

Steven Lefler, is Vice President, Modular Lifestyles, Inc., a Certified "Green" Building Professional "CGBP", Build it Green Member, Energy Star Partner, Authorized CEC Solar Retailer. Builder of Affordable, Solar powered and Energy Efficient homes. www.Modularlifestyles.com - CALIF. DRE AND HCD Licensed - 888-437-4587 Office, 949.735.7491 Cell