The P.A.T.H. to Green Building - The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing

New affordable housing with high-tech, high-end features is becoming available in select cities around the country. In a public-private partnership between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and builders, quality energy efficient homes are being constructed and sold at an affordable price. The voluntary initiative is called the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH). PATH links key agencies in federal government with leaders in the home building, product manufacturing, insurance, financial, and regulatory communities to focus on technological innovation in the American Housing Industry.

This partnership allows builders and manufacturers to implement and test new technologies they are trying to bring to the marketplace. Some of the technologies and new construction techniques being used in the PATH homes include:

• Structural Insulate Panels (SIPS).
• Geothermal Heat Pumps.
• Seamless Drywall Corners.
• On Demand Water Heaters.
• Stained Concrete Floors.

SIPS are being used for the walls, dormers, and roof. SIPS are basically 4 x 8 particleboard panels encasing foam insulation. The foam is usually six inches thick for the walls and nine inches for the roof. SIPS replaces stick built techniques and provides a virtually soundproof energy envelope for the home. SIPS are structurally stronger and provide the same insulation factor as a nine-inch on center stud base. The panels contain precut chases for electrical wiring for the home.

The geothermal heat pumps heat and cool a home by utilizing the constant temperature of the earth. Two hundred-foot holes are dug into the ground and closed looped piping is inserted. Water is circulated in the piping and the geothermal condenser extracts heated air in the winter and cooled air in the winter. The geothermal system is about twice as expensive as conventional methods but it saves homeowners up to 70% in bills. To cool a 1500 square feet home in the Southwest during August costs an estimated $40 a month.

The seamless dry wall corner is a labor saving device that helps prevent walls from cracking. The covers are made of plastic and are paper coated. They fit into or over corners. Once attached, it takes little time to mud them over.

The on-demand water heater works much like an instant coffee machine. The water goes in at room temperature and comes out piping hot. The unit, about the size of a briefcase, pushes the water through cylinders, which contain electrically heated coils. Since the unit is so small it is usually placed in the attic, out of the way. Theoretically, the unit will provide instant 120-degree water as soon as the faucet, shower, washing machine, or dishwasher is activated and will continue doing so indefinitely.

Another feature of some of the PATH homes is stained concrete floors, which are often found in million dollar homes. In this technique the slab floor is washed, scored, stained, and waxed to create a textured look mimicking granite, marble, or stone. This method eliminates the need for carpeting, wood, or other types of flooring. The stained concrete is difficult to damage and easy to maintain.

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