Cobblestone Homes has been recognized by the National Association of Home
Builders (NAHB), NAHB Research
Center, U.S. Department of Energy, and
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), as a leader in energy and resource
efficiency in new construction.
ORLANDO, Fla. –
Cobblestone Homes has been recognized by the National Association of
Home Builders (NAHB), NAHB Research
Center, U.S. Department of Energy, and
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), as a leader in energy and resource
efficiency in new construction. Cobblestone Homes collaborated with The Dow
Chemical Company to create Michigan’s first affordable net-zero energy
home dubbed the “Vision Zero” home. Located
in Bay City, Mich., the 3,400 square-foot home earned
the Great Lakes
Bay region homebuilder a
Gold winner of the 2011 EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA).
Using readily available energy efficiency technologies from Dow, the
“Vision Zero” home is expected to save approximately $3,000 in energy costs and
avert 44,855 lbs of CO2 annually. It is currently being used as an educational
center for builders and consumers, providing tours, training, and hands on
demonstrations. To date, more than 4,000 homeowners, business executives and
government officials have toured the home to learn about energy efficient
building practices.
The EVHA is the nation’s preeminent energy efficiency award, honoring
those who voluntarily incorporate energy efficiency into all aspects of new home
construction and existing home renovation. Cobblestone was awarded for their
commitment to constructing new energy-efficient, affordable homes in colder
climates during the EVHA banquet, silver sponsored by Dow, on Jan. 11 in Orlando
in conjunction with the 2011 International Builders’ Show.
“For years we’ve been a leading advocate for energy efficient, healthy
and environmentally friendly homes in Michigan,” said Mark Wahl, co-owner of
Cobblestone Homes. “Our collaboration with Dow to build the Vision Zero home
provided us with a unique opportunity to educate consumers and the industry
about the attainability of net-zero energy homes. It serves as a real-world
example that net-zero is achievable, affordable and replicable, even in harsh
Northern climates.”
The Vision Zero home showcases a wide range of Dow
materials and sustainable technologies, bringing together everything from Dow
Building Solutions’ energy saving STYROFOAM SIS™
Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing,
adhesives and sealants, and weather barrier solutions to the
revolutionary new DOW™
POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingles. The home also highlights a variety
of other Dow products ranging from DOWTHERM™ in geothermal systems,
polyurethanes in garage doors, and coatings technology in paints and carpeting.