04/04/08 — WOODCOCK TOWNSHIP — Think “house of the future.”
A sci-fi vision of some otherworldly structure — odd panels jutting up and out and other “green,” minimalist-inspired design features — may be what springs to mind.
But Jeff and Sandy Lang’s new home overlooking Woodcock Creek is a happy marriage between traditional, historically-rich Victorian design elements and new-age building
materials that put the 4,645-square-foot home on the cutting edge of all things energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly.
Lang is a co-owner of Dad’s Products Co. Inc. His place is the first Energy Star-certified home built in northwestern Pennsylvania that’s qualified for tax credits for using at least 50 percent less energy on heating and cooling than a home that size built by traditional means, according to builder Mark Schlosser of Saegertown-based Schlosser Construction.
His estimate for what the three-story, 17-room home may cost to heat over the course of a year — only $1,249 — is roughly 40 percent of what a typical home that size may cost to keep warm.
And there’s no question that it keeps the heat.
Built using insulated concrete forms (ICFs) that create a seamless and solid monolithic structure, Schlosser said the home’s foot-thick walls make for zero-air infiltration. Add to that the home’s top-of-the-line boiler system — capable of heating a gallon of water in seconds — and the result is roughly 96 percent heating efficiency, he said.
The house, which features a radiant-floor heating system, “is built so air-tight that we built (an internal) mechanical ventilation system” to circulate and generate fresh air, Schlosser said.
A thermal imaging test of the structure showed that it leaks just a little over 1,600 cubic feet of air each minute, said Schlosser. A typical home tested under the same radar, he said, would be expected to leak roughly 7,000 cubic feet of air per minute.
‘There’s so much latent heat here,” Sandy said recently. “I’d bet you could go two days before you knew you lost power.”
Those who’d like to feel the same in their homes but who aren’t planning on building anew anytime soon can take heart, according to Schlosser.
Energy efficiency “isn’t just for new construction,” he said. “This is for existing houses also.”
Using the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s uniform energy rating system, Schlosser said he’s able to provide detailed analyses that identify problem areas for a homeowner and allow him to make suggestions that could lower any home’s heating costs by around 40 percent while also significantly reducing carbon monoxide and other environmental hazards such as mold.
It was Sandy’s intolerance to mold, in fact, that the Langs said pushed their decision to build green.
“It’s amazing,” said Sandy, and “the technology is right here.”
Ryan Smith can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at rsmith@meadvilletribune.com.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Area home boasts cutting-edge efficiency
- Local News
-
-
Walker hired to fill Meadville's newest administrative position
The City of Meadville’s soon-to-be-newest administrator is a familiar name in the area and familiar with the city.
-
Edinboro protest planned against proposed state budget cuts
If you’re a student or faculty member at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, don’t be surprised if Trevor Belz, a sophomore from Saegertown, shares some strong opinions with you in the next few days — and urges your attendance at a campuswide protest planned for Tuesday.
-
Local legislators: Corbett budget off to a good start
Elected officials representing Crawford County in Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives are gearing up for what looks like a lengthy budget process.
-
Crawford Central's Heller says new budget plan hobbles school districts
Area educators haven’t had a lot of time to mull over the implications of the budget proposal presented Tuesday to a joint meeting of Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.
-
District Judge Chisholm nears record for ‘longest serving’
Magisterial District Judge William Chisholm is in line to set a new record by becoming Crawford County’s longest-serving magistrate.
-
Traveling breast cancer exhibit to make local stop
The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition is bringing its traveling photo exhibit, “67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania,” to Crawford County March 1 through 10.
-
Judge Chisholm’s memories run deep
Looking back over his 26 years as a district magisterial judge, Judge William Chisholm has many memories of special events — even some humorous ones.
-
Fire guts historic Vernon Township building
“Another landmark gone,” Sandy Porter of the Crawford County Historical Society said as he looked across the street at the large red-brick building gutted by fire early Sunday just outside Meadville’s city limits.
-
No snow? Road crews have plenty to keep them busy
Patching potholes, clearing ditches and readying equipment for spring projects: Those are a few of the ways area crews have been keeping busy in recent days as Mother Nature’s decidedly spring-like behavior has caused road departments to start switching gears.
-
News analysis: Romney proves he's tough and adaptable
Mitt Romney’s resounding win in the Florida GOP primary last week is a warning shot to any Democrats who think the former Massachusetts governor will be a soft target.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Walker hired to fill Meadville's newest administrative position
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
