- 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.
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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?
- Our plans show all-electric
heating systems consisting of electric radiant cove heaters and
an electric fireplace. Overall, the house performs as a system.
If any system changes are made, care must be taken to ensure
compatible choices are selected. Using gas, oil or propane for
space and water heating is possible, but only sealed combustion
heating units must be used with this type of construction. We
do not recommend using wood stoves or wood-burning fireplaces
to heat these homes.
What happens if I want
a wood-burning fireplace?
All of
our designs have electric fireplaces that are warm and inviting,
and can be operated by by remote control in addition to the thermostat.
If you prefer a gas-fired fireplace for some reason, one could
be used but only if it is of the SEALED COMBUSTION type. Any
other type of combustion device is inappropriate 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 wood laminate 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 your floorplans
are not what I want, but I want the energy-efficiency features?
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 Plans
- Footing and Foundation Plan
& Details
- Floor Framing Plans
- 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
- Integrated Radon Mitigation
System Plan and Details
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The house plans include 30 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 e-mail to info@nahn.com.
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- Would you like to order houseplans?
Visit our order form page.
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