Extreme Makeover: Home Edition > Media
For immediate release: October. 30, 2007
Contact: Brian McCarthy 802-247-8500
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” house in Athens, Vermont qualifies as ENERGY STAR® Home
Since their return on September 13th to their new “Extreme” home, the Vitale’s have used a fraction of the energy typically needed for a house this size. The family, a recent recipient of an “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” home, are now the proud owners of an ENERGY STAR® qualified home.
The design and construction of the house were managed by The McKernon Group, Inc., a company whose roots in “Green Building” are decades old. Co-owner Kevin Birchmore explains: “Starting with the very first discussion with the design team, our main criterion for doing this project was that it would be a responsible, energy efficient home using the same materials we would use in one of our typical custom-built homes. We wanted to be sure that along with being proud of the charitable aspect of the project, we and the other companies who donated time and materials could also be proud of the sustainability and low energy costs to the occupants.”
The challenge for McKernon wasn’t so much meeting the energy requirements for this rating, but that the time frame for completion was quite a bit shorter than usual. Birchmore comments, “In order to do a 5-Star Plus, ENERGY STAR qualified home in one week we needed to pay attention to every detail starting in the planning stages and double-checking them often during the fast-paced build. Coming back to adjust anything after the fact wasn’t an option, so everything had to be right the first time.”
The conceptual, schematic and architectural design phases were all completed in-house at McKernon using a dramatically sped-up version of their design-build process. “The design process involved intense negotiations surrounding the size and scope of certain aspects of the house”, says Frank Naef of McKernon. Naef, the project architect, goes on to explain, “We enjoyed fitting the ‘big dream house’ feel that the show’s design team wanted into a reasonably-sized and energy efficient traditional New England home. Energy efficiency was a large goal for us in this project, and now with the 5-Star Plus Home Energy Rating we feel we hit the mark.”
Energy efficient materials used in the house include: BuildBlock™ insulating concrete forms for the exterior walls and foundation, fiberglass windows with low-e glass provided by r.k Miles, Inc., and sprayed-in urethane foam insulation by Urethane Foam Operations (UFO) of Brandon. Photovoltaic solar panels were supplied by groSolar™ of White River Junction, and ENERGY STAR rated appliances, efficient mechanical systems, and a significant number of ENERGY STAR light fixtures were used in the house. Materials and installations were given as donations to the family.
Testing of the home was completed this month by Jeff Manney of Efficiency Vermont, the state’s energy efficiency utility that, along with other services, rates a home’s energy efficiency and qualifies them for the EPA’s ENERGY STAR label through its Vermont ENERGY STAR® Homes service. Through this service Efficiency Vermont offers incentives to builders or owners constructing new homes for the installation of energy-efficient appliances and lighting. Vermont ENERGY STAR Homes’ criteria also requires the use of efficient building construction methods and heating systems. This helps to safeguard indoor air quality in accordance with Vermont’s Energy Code requirements for mechanical ventilation and combustion safety. These efficiency practices significantly reduce a homes’ energy consumption in addition to ensuring greater home comfort, durability, safety, and value.
The show is scheduled to air Sunday, December 9th at 8pm on ABC.
About "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is in its 5th season on ABC. The program is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Denise Cramsey is the executive producer; and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.
About The McKernon Group, Inc.
The McKernon Group is a leader in design/build construction and restoration throughout Vermont and upstate New York. Established in 1987, our experience provides clients with first class workmanship and fast-track capabilities from design to completion through efficient construction management. Jack McKernon is the president, and Kevin Birchmore is executive vice president.
About Efficiency Vermont:
Efficiency Vermont was created by the Vermont Legislature and the Vermont Public Service Board to help all Vermonters reduce energy costs, strengthen the economy and protect Vermont's environment. For more information, contact Leigh Winterbottom, Marketing Director, 888-921-5990 or visit www.efficiencyvermont.com
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