Four County Area Vocational Cooperative

In April 2007, CES got a call from Kuntry Lumber in northern Indiana, asking for a representative to come down and address a team of educators for the Four County Area Vocational Cooperative. Renny Schoonmaker went and met with the group which was planning on building a spec house later in the year. However, the project was to be unique in two major ways. First, it was to be constructed by high school students across the four county area, and secondly, it was to make a quantum leap in energy efficiency. They were after performance that would be in a whole different category than conventional standards. Insulspan structural insulated panels (SIPs) were presented, scrutinized, and ultimately were chosen as the medium for the house walls. This was to be a Touchtone Energy Home, which loosely translated, is an EnergyStar home using no fossil fuels, only electrical energy with a “smart home” systems in operation. The REMC Power Company would regard the project as a test case, intending to monitor performance of the house for the first year of occupancy. When completed, it would be one of only three such endeavors to be built in northeast Indiana. Each of the three was free to choose design and components that would maximize “green” priorities.

Over the summer months, the Cooperative wrung out a design, finalized all the necessary dimensions and in the fall, panels were designed by CES, ordered and delivered to the site near Kendallville, IN. This was no small, four walled cabin, but a full scale custom home with contours and interest, involving around 3,000 square feet of living space between the walkout lower level and main floor. It’s located west of town in the upscale Cobblestone community near the golf course, and before building began, it lost its spec home status. It was pre-bought by a couple with a vision for exceptional building standards, and long term durability and economy.

The walkout level was a mix of insulated concrete forms below grade and Insulspan panels in areas of full wall height exposure. Blending systems and getting the right fit can be challenging, but when the students finished the installation, their instructor, Chris Weber, was very enthusiastic about the precision and ease of installation as panels dropped into place. The main level was more of the same, and garnered similar reactions from those involved.

Renny from CES was present one day to observe progress and take pictures at the early stages of the main level. In a two hour period, which lost half an hour to setup and cleanup, and in the midst of a frigid wind, the students installed, secured, and sealed six wall panels. That’s about one every 15 minutes by a team of high school students that are neither paid nor long in experience. And they didn’t need to later sheet or insulate the wall; once they placed it, it was done. They were impressed with the panel system and Renny was impressed with them!

The best impressions are yet to be realized. The Cooperative hopes to have a grand opening celebration in May 2008, after which the new owners move in. That’s when the electric meter will start running up a tab, the interior comfort levels will be tested, and REMC Power Company will start collecting data. At CES, we’re not at all concerned about the results; we already know they’ll be very impressive. That isn’t the voice of arrogance, it’s simply the echo of history. How would you like to give this technology a chance to impress you too?