New Technology is Expected to Yield Big Savings for Homeowners

 

         Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson announced that the first-ever manufactured home built entirely from energy efficient foam core panels  started down  the assembly line today. The demonstration home built at Champion Enterprises' Silverton, Ore., factory is expected to have heating and cooling costs up to 50 percent lower than a manufactured home built to the minimum housing code.

 

         "Manufactured housing is about 20 to 30 percent of new U.S. home sales, so there is a great potential for energy savings," said Secretary Richardson. "Homes built with this technology will also allow their owners to save $550 to $690 each year on their electric bills. Homeowners who heat with natural gas are expected to save $146 to $181 annually."

 

         This technology is part of the department's effort to reengineer the American home for energy efficiency and affordability. Together with its industry partners across the country, the department is constructing site-built and factory-built homes that will use 30 to 50 percent less energy for heating and cooling, yet cost no more to build than conventional homes.

 

         Project partners include foam core panel manufacturers Precision Building Products of Boise, Idaho, and Premier Building Systems of Fife, Wash., as well as several other building product suppliers.

 

         Additional information on this manufactured home demonstration project can be found at www.pnnl-sips.org. This site will include photos and descriptions of the project as it unfolds. For more information on DOE's energy-efficient building programs, go to www.eren.doe.gov/buildings or call 800-DOE-3732.

 

                                         

  - DOE - R-00-162