e-House 2000 - Lab for Living
The 10 Crucial Tools for e-House2000
- New concrete and concrete block. New concrete products reduce the amount of ozone-depleting limestone, act as thermal insulation, breathe, take color well, and are stronger than the conventional stuff. They range from poured concrete mixes with NewCem recycled slag, to Matrix PAAC lightweight aerated autoclaved block, to flowable fills, to recycled-content parges and stuccos.
- Computer software for design and production. The e-House2000 team used Bentley Microsystems’ MicroStation/J, a cross-platform Java-compatible CAD software that takes you from concept, to design, to contract documents, to 3-D renderings, all in one program. It exports documents in numerous formats, including AutoCAD DWG files.
- Engineered lumber products. E-House2000 uses computer engineered, quick growth, sustainable forest products that are cost effective, uniform in quality, and easy to install. They include Georgia-Pacific Wood-I-Beams and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) girders.
- High-performance windows. Properly manufactured high performance doors and windows are critical for heating, air conditioning, and fuel costs. The e-House2000 uses Andersen wood doors and windows because the certified wood components in them are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, and they participate in the Energy Star Program.
- Smart house networking. Hughes Network Systems satellite Internet access provides two-way communications for Web-based home controls and automation (and TV programming). This, in conjunction with X-traWeb’s Home Automation products, will make e-House as efficient as a duel-fuel automobile and as personalizable as your own home page and e-mail address.
- Metal roofing and fiberglass-reinforced weatherproofing. Follansbee high-tech stainless steel outperforms in severe corrosive conditions and is perfect for the light- and view-catchers. Alternative-tech Revere copper offers designed-for-disassembly flexibility for roof flashing and parapets. Neither use bituminous tars or asphalts, neither require painting, and both age to beautiful patinas. Sarnadeck is an Energy Star waterproofing membrane that provides a recyclable content skid-resistant surface for roof deck covering.
- Photovoltaic products. Ushering in the age of clean, green electricity,
BP Solar products (in conjunction with Trace Engineering switches) offer
uninterruptable power sources that protect from heavy weather power outages and rolling brownouts while decentralizing power production, potentially making everyone an energy producer.
- Radiant heating, cooling, and snowmelt systems. High-efficiency instant hot water heaters are tied into multi-fuel geothermal loops that fit into floors and ceilings, roofs and roof decks. These radiant systems eliminate the need for large ducts, ensure good indoor air quality, and can be computer controlled. E-House uses Roth’s systems coupled with energy recovery ventilators, evacuated heat pipe solar collectors, and super dehumidifiers in a revolutionary cooling system.
- Structural insulated panel products. Winter Panel SIPs deliver high insulation values. They can also be designed on CAD software, e-mailed to production plants, and computer cut to exacting specifications and all sorts of shapes. When teamed with SmartGuard borate-preserved framing lumber and insect-resistant panel products, they point the way to the quick assembly, energy-efficient buildings of the future.
- Valued-added thermal insulation. High-performance insulation is an integral part of building wall and roof assemblies. FOAMGLAS cellular glass offers uniquely high compressive strength and very long life span. E’NRG’Y 2 polyisocyanurate is recycled and recyclable plastic. ULTRA-TOUCH is made from recycled cotton jeans fibers, is fireproof, and provides thermal and acoustical insulation. LOW-E reflective insulation is non-toxic, contains post-consumer recycled material, provides a vapor-barrier, and is bonded without adhesives.