In early February, during the 2012 International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla., an elite group of conscientious residential professionals received EnergyValue Housing Awards (EVHA) for new and existing homes.
This year 17 builders and remodelers from 12 states were selected to receive a 2012 EVHA. Winners are selected from projects in three climate regions (Cold, Moderate, Hot) and five categories (Affordable, Custom/Demonstration, Multifamily, Production, and Existing Homes). From among all the gold award winners, Nexus EnergyHomes (gold award in New, Production Homes, Moderate Climate category) of Frederick, Md., was selected as this year’s Builder of the Year, and Ferrier Builders (gold award in Existing, Reconstruction/Demonstration Homes, Hot Climate category) of Fort Worth, Texas, was selected as Remodeler of the Year.
Builder of the Year
Strategic planning and research done by Nexus EnergyHomes, a relative newcomer on the high-performance home scene, was one of the factors the judges considered in their evaluation of the company. It’s use of post-construction reviews and testing by the design team also impressed the judges, demonstrating that Nexus is striving for continual improvement. Nexus allowed its team to revisit design features, practices, and materials and equipment used during the model home build and identify any training needs, cost- and time-saving measures, or products that might contribute to higher efficiency in both the building process and the end product.
Nexus EnergyHomes’ award-winning 2,710-square-foot duplex home was described by one EVHA judge as “the epitome of value-engineering.” The builder used structural insulated panels (SIPs) to help construction go quickly while maintaining a tight building envelope. In addition to their insulative benefits, the SIPs also contributed to a quiet interior, despite the home’s busy city location. “[This home contains] high-quality materials, outstanding energy-efficient features, and incredible marketing,” said another EVHA judge.
Remodeler of the Year
An ancillary company of Ferrier Custom Homes, Ferrier Builders is taking the same approach to remodeling as the fourth-generation, new-home builder uses—implementing cost effectiveness, practicality, value, and efficiency—but also considers the integrity and charm of the original home. So by combining years of experience with great imagination, Ferrier is able to revitalize both the appearance and the performance of older homes and preserve neighborhood gems that might otherwise be lost because of neglect and deterioration.
To get the most bang for the buck, the company focused on sealing the attic with spray foam insulation and adding spray foam insulation to any wall cavity that was accessible during the whole-house renovation. This insulation helped the home, post-remodel, receive a HERS rating of 81. By keeping the original “bones” and footprint of the house, but ridding it of years of neglect, Ferrier Builders created a home that remains true to the architect’s original vision, but which performs like a modern energy-efficient home.
For information on each winning company’s home, visit www.nahbrc.org/evha.
Learn more about markets featured in this article: Dallas, TX.
