by Jean Sealey
Northeast Florida Builders Association
One of the first builders to receive a check from JEA under the Green Built Homes of Florida program was Dan Hovis of Hovis Custom Homes. Green Built Homes of Florida is a partnership between the Northeast Florida Builders Association and JEA to promote green building practices through incentives, training and marketing components. The program consists of Energy Star criteria and Florida Water Star criteria, currently being developed by the St. Johns River Water Management District.
A long-time proponent and practitioner of “green” building procedures, Hovis said he did not apply for the program rebate of $255 for financial reasons.
“The money is an acknowledgement that homes meet Energy Star-plus criteria,” Hovis said. “I bought into the concept of energy efficient homes years ago and knew my homes would qualify without any modifications. I’ve been building this way for almost 10 years.”
Hovis, who has an accounting background, always wanted to be part of the building industry. He builds about five custom homes a year which derive much of their energy efficiency from the ICF block he uses.
Insulating concrete forms – ICF – is more than energy efficient, Hovis said.
“ICF construction results in a structure that is more economical to heat and cool, but it withstands 200 mile-per-hour winds, reduces the risk of fire and is impervious to wood-destroying organisms,” Hovis said. “I also build with all steel framing as opposed to wood. That’s not really a factor in energy efficiency, but I believe it makes a stronger home and it certainly contributes to the pest resistance factor of the home.”
Hovis uses more expensive vinyl Low-E windows because they reduce the heat load. He also uses 3-inch closed cell foam insulation, sprayed on the under side of the roof decking.
“The sprayed foam expands into the cracks and crevices and seals the structure completely,” he said. “That coupled with high-efficiency windows and doors, completes the air-tight system resulting in much higher efficiency.”
The combination of ICF construction and sprayed on insulation creates a cocoon, said Hovis.
“Air infiltration is what we are trying to eliminate,” he said. “Attic ventilation adds to the air infiltration and reduces a home’s energy efficiency. It’s a lack of air infiltration that results in savings.”
The heating and air system is another important factor in energy consumption, Hovis said.
“I use a dual speed compressor with a multi-speed air-handler,” he said. “The run time gets the moisture out and the tonnage gets the heat out. When a house is so tight that the run time is low, you may not be removing enough moisture.
“The multi-speed systems effectively lower the amount of tonnage they are producing, causing the run time to be longer while using less electricity.”
Hovis’ home that qualified for the rebate under the NEFBA-JEA Green Built Homes of Florida program is a four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home, which also has a safe room. The home is priced at approximately $500,000, not including the lot.