- High Performance
- Affordable Cost
Questions and Answers about the House Plans
How were energy measures
selected?
- We show energy measures that,
taken together, are the best value for the consumer. We wanted
high comfort and safety levels combined with the lowest possible
annual operating cost and construction cost. To keep construction
costs affordable, we wanted measures that easily meet current
codes and standards and are readily understood by most builders.
We select measures that return solid savings to consumers.
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- What if my lot is different
from what you show? What if my lot has no solar access?
One of
the best features of high-performance housing is that it performs
well no matter where your building site is located. While south
solar orientation and access can provide 15 percent of the space
heat, overall performance isn't changed that much if solar access
isn't possible. One key thing to remember is that we show heat
rejection glass on WEST-facing windows. We recommend this to
avoid overheating through WEST windows or any windows where summer
shading isn't possible.
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- What happens if I want
to change the floor plan?
This plan is quite flexible
in regard to floor plan with one caution: we'd recommend leaving
the mechanical room and ventilation system ductwork where they
are unless you are willing to get additional technical support
for this changed system design.
What about a different
heating system?
- Overall, the house performs
as a system. If any system changes are made, care must be taken
to ensure compatible choices are selected. With gas, oil or propane,
only sealed combustion heating units must be used with this type
of construction. Electric heat is possible, but we do not recommend
using wood stoves or fireplaces to heat these homes.
What happens if I want
a fireplace?
Only SEALED COMBUSTION
GAS fireplaces are appropriate for these homes. If you want to
replace the home's heater with a sealed combustion gas fireplace,
choose a model that is designed as a space heater, not a decorative
appliance. This option adds both ambiance and additional costs.
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- Will this work outside
the areas shown on the map?
We don't recommend building
homes from these plans outside the shaded areas shown on the
map in this brochure. The measures are selected for climates
with 7000 heating degree days or more, and other measures will
prove better values in other climate zones.
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- What do you recommend
for flooring?
We have opted to show
sheet vinyl and hardwood floor tiles as the flooring choice with
the best consumer value for larger families. These also are a
good value in the case of owner-builders and volunteer labor.
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- What if I want a garage
and basement?
Maybe another plan style
would work better for your situation. Additional plans showing
three-bedroom models, a model with a full basement and a one-car
garage are now available; see our announcement for the 1092 Plan
for details. The Network only develops plans for affordable housing.
However, many people have used our plans to educate their local
professionals before starting on a larger design. For larger,
more affluent housing, check with your local housing professionals
for assistance.
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- How will this house rate
in energy programs?
This is a five-star home,
with maximum energy savings.
- Each Plan in the Cold Climate
Series Includes:
- Site/Lot Layout
- Floor Plan
- Footing and Foundation Plan
& Details
- Floor Framing Plan
- Window and Door Schedule
& Details
- Complete Wall Section
- Room-by-room Finish Schedule
- Ceiling Blocking Plan
- Elevations (four sides)
- Kitchen Elevations, Large-scale
Kitchen Plan with Cabinet Layout and List
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- Heat Recovery Ventilation
System - Plenum Plan and Ductwork Layout
- Heating, Ventilating and
Water Heating Appliances Information & Details
- Electrical Plan and Electrical
Equipment Schedule
- Step-by-step Construction
Sequence, with companion exploded diagram
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The house plans include 23 easy-to-handle
11x17 sheets of complete details. These plans are based on detailed
field research from the award-winning Montana Superinsulation
Project and on the previous experience of a critically acclaimed
and highly successful series of house plans for low-cost, high
performance homes. These earlier plans were referenced by Ned
Nisson who wrote in The Superinsulated Home Book, "Their
houseplans are considered the best available."
These new
plans are designed especially with owner-builders in mind, including
Habitat for Humanity affiliate partner families.
Do you have more
questions about our house plans? We'd be happy to answer them.
Send us e-mail right now to info@nahn.com.
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- Would you like to order houseplans?
Visit our order form page.
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