http://www.builderonline.com/building/building-science/nine-best-practices-for-building-a-healthier-home_o?utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=jump&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=BBU_032315&day=2015-03-23&he=e70aa86b73f18403597f3a7219cac0dffd622be9
I feel this article describes the type of home most people are demanding today. The article’s checklist is useful for those considering buying a new or used home.
Nov 13, 2014
Speaking engagement on:
The New Normal in Action: Energy Efficiency on the Ground
https://imhomeconference.splashthat.com/
Newport Pacific Capital, a national full-service property management company catering to the MHP and RV/Marina industries, and affiliate Modular Lifestyles, Inc., teamed up with Cavco Industries to build an “off grid” home product that would help to change the old “trailer park” image of their industry. The “Quest” Off Grid home has been travelling around California for the past two years as a featured attraction at tradeshows and expos to showcase affordable “green” solar-powered living.
The “Quest” Off Grid home has many energy efficient features, including a Solar PV System and a propane tank to charge the deep cell marine batteries. The house includes standard 110V outlets, allowing easy use of every-day household appliances by residents. Sustainable cork flooring, recycled furniture products, and specialized insulation are also on display. An additional option for the Quest home is an incinerator toilet that does not rely on water or plumbing to operate.
The only thing required to live “off the grid” in a Modular Lifestyles Quest home is a source for water and a location for the home to sit. With the increased interest in tiny houses, many visitors to the Quest home are expressing that they could easily live in this small 400sf factory built home, as it offers the design, floor plan and features that are key to homeowner acceptance.
The “Quest” Off Grid home model has also been on display at numerous Newport Pacific properties to promote new home construction within those communities. Many manufactured housing communities have suffered from severe image problems, due to large part by empty lots and older HUD homes in dire need of replacement. The Quest home brings awareness of and renewed interest in these communities while demonstrating an alternative home product and lifestyle to residents and visitors alike. Modular Lifestyles has worked directly with the community owner to build and install these unique, award winning HUD homes on their empty lots. The new homes then continue to generate interest in the community that was originally initiated by the Quest home. The goal has been to create successful, thriving communities with filled lots and new residents, and its working.
For more information on this unique solar-powered, off grid home, or any of our other products and services, contact Newport Pacific and/or Modular Lifestyles at 949-852-5575 – www.newportpacific.com.
As presented to MHI National Congress Workshop held April 28th, 2014
Comparison Study of a Santa Clarita, CA HUD homes. Santa Clarita is located in the Ca. Energy Commissions rank of 14 (16 being the harshest climate). It is a dry arid desert climate.
The 2012/2013 Modular Lifestyles brand of proven high performance energy efficient homes versus a 2001 Fleetwood brand of HUD home. The chart clearly shows the annual electrical cost each owner paid during the entire year. The savings from Modular Lifestyles highly insulated solar powered homes were substantial to the 2001 Fleetwood. The community owner received the extra kWh back into their master meter community. The 2001 Fleetwood HUD insulation standard for this home was based on HUD 1994 standards and it was R-11 (Blown cellulose) in attic, R- 11 Fiberglass in the 2”x 4” walls and R-20 Fiberglass in the raised floor. This home does not have A/C. The one exception Space 63 Modular Lifestyles home did not have Solar due to a 300 year Oak tree shadow cast across the roof however it does have A/C. Its cost was 1/2 as much as the 2001 Fleetwood home.
Conclusion
South Exposure appears to operate less efficiently as Western Exposure has produced better results and improved production numbers
Read Study
Our experience in California home building has had similar results as well in Climate Zone 10 with 285 days of SUN.
I found this post interesting with regards to how homes are built. The idea of a tree truck turning into a wood stud for framing. The processing and transportation from the Mill to a pallet to the job site or factory. It makes one wonder if the contractor is measuring their moisture content. It makes one wonder if the climate (where the home is built) and exposure to the elements impacts the wood stud’s moisture on the pallet during the framing. The idea of the stud in the wall with moisture does it evaporate and condensate within the walls to create mold?
http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplrn/fplrn226.pdf
What would be the moisture content of the studs in Rain? 100%? Probably!
