21st Century Homes, Inc.
Energy Saving Technologies
Here is a brief explanation of the major energy-saving components used in our designs.
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
SIPs are the heart of our energy saving designs. These panels are manufactured using the latest technologies and will by themselves deliver up to a 60% savings on your annual heating and cooling costs. They are three to five times stronger than standard 2x6 construction, surpass all of the appropriate building codes, allow no thermal bridging, and provide a quieter, cleaner (less dust infiltration) living area.
» more information on Structural Insulated Panels
Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs)
GHPs use only a small amount of electricity to operate, and will heat your entire house during the winter, and cool it during the summer. They do not burn fossil fuels, and are the most safe, clean, and energy efficient system on the market today. In the winter, heat from the earth is captured by water circulating inside an underground loop, which is then transferred to the GHP and compressed to create all the heat you’ll need to stay warm and comfortable. During the summer when cooling is needed, the system reverses the process and extracts excessive heat from your home and dissipates it through the loop, leaving your house nice and cool. You can expect to save an additional 50% to 70% of your heating and cooling expenses each year with a Geothermal Heat Pump.
» more information on Geothermal Heat Pumps
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)
ICFs should be used when full basements or walk out basements are used. Interlocking forms are made out of expanded polystyrene foam blocks that are hollow and snap together like Legos. The blocks are then filled with rebar and concrete to give you a basement wall with an outstanding insulation value of
R-50. These ICFs are non toxic, using no CFCs, HCFCs or formaldehydes, and produce no off-gassing.
» more information on Insulated Concrete Forms
Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs)
ERVs manage and improve the quality of the air inside your home. Fresh filtered outside air is exchanged with the stale inside air, at a rate up to 200 cubic feet per minute (CFM). Ninety-six percent of the temperature of the exiting air is recovered and transferred to the incoming air, making this system extremely efficient. By filtering out viruses, bacteria, chemical toxins, and allergens, your whole family is healthier and more comfortable. It’s like opening up the windows in the Springtime and letting the fresh air in, 365 days a year, without the heat loss! You’ll definitely breathe easier.
» more information on Energy Recovery Ventilators
High Performance Windows
High Performance Windows are included with every design. While blocking out 99.5% of damaging ultraviolet light, these windows deliver a minimum of R-9.1 insulation value as measured by the overall performance of the window (not just the center inch of the window, which is very misleading). This is nearly three times the insulation value of the most popular national brands.
» more information on High Performance Windows
Exterior Doors
The exterior doors we use are manufactured by Therma-True, the most preferred brand of energy efficient exterior doors in the industry. All doors carry the Energy Star® label, and are as beautiful as they are efficient. Specific doors are pre-selected for each model but you can customize your look and substitute any same size entry door from the Therma-True catalog at no extra charge.
» more information on our Exterior Doors
Marathon Water Heaters
Genuine Marathon Water Heaters are supplied with your home purchase. Although electric, the Marathon will outperform any other heater of comparable size because of two reasons. First, 100% of the elements energy goes into the water. Secondly, and most important, is the ability of the Marathon to retain the temperature of the water. In controlled tests where water was heated to 135 degrees in the Marathon and a competitor’s model, it took the Marathon 37 hours to cool down to 110 degrees, instead of only 21 hours in the competitor’s model. Simply put, once you heat the water, the water stays hot longer requiring less energy to maintain that temperature, resulting in an impressive efficiency rating of 93%.
Floor Joists
Floor Joists are built using engineered wood and a tongue & grooved I-joist design. This proven high quality support system minimizes deflection and eliminates floor squeaking. It is also stronger than 2x12s because all of the natural weak spots occurring in wood have been engineered out of it. Because of this, it doesn’t twist, warp, shrink, creak, crack or settle.
Sub Flooring
Sub Flooring is made of OSB that is tongue and grooved to provide a strong, rigid and impact-resistant platform for any flooring material you choose.
Trusses
Trusses are engineered using top-quality lumber in a controlled environment to precise industry standards. Our architects provide the manufacturer with model specific roof designs that are also stamped by licensed structural engineers.
Roof Decking
Roof Decking is extra rigid OSB sheeting that provides uniformly sound and superior support, allowing the use of any roofing materials.
Upcoming FREE Seminars
Periodically, 21st Century Homes holds free seminars at which you can learn about our energy-saving home packages and how they are revolutionizing the home building business.
Intesrested in attending? Just contact us and we'll notify you when we're coming to your area or even set up a free personal consultation!