News Release - 8/31/06
| For Immediate Release August 31, 2006 |
Contact: | Chris Schwind chris@sips.org 253.858.7472 |
Florida Solar Energy Center Specifies SIPs for FEMA Manufactured Homes
Building on lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina, FSEC designs an energy efficient manufactured home for use by federal agencies.
Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a research institute of the University of Central Florida and a Building America team, recently released improved specifications for ruggedized manufactured homes for disaster relief by federal agencies such as FEMA. The report presents the specifications for the Building America Structural Insulated Panel (BASIP) manufactured home.
The improved specifications of the proposed BASIP manufactured home include structural insulated panels (SIPs), solar photovoltaic cells, and solar hot water for improved energy efficiency, energy independence, sustainability, and indoor air quality.
When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf coast, FEMA dispatched 25,000 ruggedized manufactured homes for temporary housing. These manufactured homes are built to HUD Manufacturing Housing Standards and are calculated to use 247 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, costing taxpayers $ 24.7 million (at $ 0.10/kWh).
The BASIP manufactured home harnesses the insulating capabilities of SIPs and solar energy to cut energy use by 77%, amounting to $20.2 million reduction in energy costs for 25,000 manufactured housing units over a one year period (homes are typically occupied for at least 18 months).
Saving 60.7 GWh of energy equates to eliminating 125,500 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, or removing 20,367 cars from America’s roads.
Reduced energy use and energy generating capability provided by PV cells will enable BASIP homes to maintain essential functions during power outages associated with natural disasters and during infrastructure reconstruction.
The report cites indoor air quality as one concern for manufactured home occupants in hot and humid hurricane prone regions. Poor indoor air quality can induce medical complications in occupants with asthma or other chronic illnesses. By using structural insulated panels and a factory installed HVAC system, the BASIP can help remedy this problem.
The report states, “The SIP, in addition to tight ducts, results in tighter construction, less leakage and better indoor air quality.”
For a complete version of the report, including floor plans, visit http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/baihp/pubs/ImproveSpecificHomes/contract_report.pdf
For more information on structural insulated panels, visit www.sips.org.
About SIPA
The Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) is a non-profit association representing manufacturers, suppliers, fabricators/distributors, design professionals, and builders committed to providing quality structural insulated panels for all segments of the construction industry.
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