ERMU Misc. 09-13-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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i .;10 Green Building I eventually rot and need replacement. phasizes that the builders will help keep the project local "Everything we use will have its own display in the by buying in Minnesota whenever possible. 1 house, and we'll include information about the benefits Many of these types of home building products of the products and where to buy them for visitors inter- involve costs that may intimidate budget-conscious home ested in exploring these options," adds Haug, who em- buyers. The good news with Energy House III is that the I home's finance partner, The Bank of Elk River, has mort- gage financing especially for energy improvements. Advertisers Web Index Michelle Edder, assistant vice president and mortgage loan officer for the bank,says they can finance up to 100% Alpha Technologies Magnetek of the energy improvements. "The financing can equal up to 15 percent of an exist- www alpha.com www.alternatwe-energies.com ing home's value, or five percent of a new home's value," Alternate Energy www.ticsolar.cc MK Battery www.dekabatteries.com she says. "Monthly energy savings are added to the bor- rower's income in the qualification calculation, so their debt-to-income ratio won't be as high.The maximum qual- ifying ratio is 41 percent of income-to-debt. I American Energy Systems www.hearthdireCt.Com www.nabcep.org "Additionally, energy efficient rebates from govern- ment agencies, utilities and manufacturers may be applied American Solar Energy OutBack Power Systems toward the borrower's minimum three percent required I Society www.outbackpower.com contribution [down payment]," she continues. "In addi- www.swc2005.org tion, the value of the energy efficient measures is added to Sherwood Industries the home's appraised value.And finally,the home has to be PIAprieus www.envirofire.biz an owner-occupied primary residence." www.apricus-solar.com Work in progress Simpson Duravent Blue Sky Energy Inc. www.tluravent.com During construction,Holst says the crews will stop at www.blueskyenergyinc.com key points and invite member builders and other inter- Solar Pathfinder ested professionals to view their progress to learn what is Brand Electronics www.solarpathfinder.com being done and why. I www.onemeteroneweb.com "We don't want to lose sight of our objective,which is Solar Power Expo educating the public and construction professionals," he Butler Sun Solutions www.solarpowerConferenCe.COm says "Letting them see our work-in-progress is a critical I www.butlersunsolutions.com aspect. Once the walls are sealed up, it's pretty hard for Solectria Renewables LLC them to envision some of the techniques we've used." Dansons Marketing www.solren.com Holst admits it will be a challenge to coordinate all the I Group Inc.www.kentuckykomfort.com air quality and energy efficient guidelines, e www.kntuckykomfort.com Sun Cloud Distributors but the objective is to build a house that has appeal."We are www.dansons.com www.suncloudinc.com putting our name on it,so we take it very seriously,"he says. "We want people to see the home's value and appreciate it. I Direct Power Surrette Battery Company "We are very price-competitive,"continues Holst, "but www.power-fab.com www.rollsbattery.com we must still convince consumers these products and con- struction methods have good value. We are dealing with a Dry Creek Products Wind Turbine much more aware consumer." www.drycreekproducts.com Industries Corp. To accomplish its education goals, the SNBA will www windturbine.net make Energy House III easily accessible to people during Fortis Windenergy regular business hours. So, the SNBA will move its offices www.fortiswindenergy corn Woodkiln there in September 2005 until March 2008. www.woodkilnefp.com After that time, the house will be sold. Additionally, "using" the house allows potential buyers to learn what Alternative Energy® real energy costs might be,how the products are function- ing, and gives them the opportunity to hear from the SNBA staff about their experiences there. AER I 28 • June 2005