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Miami-Dade Does Green Attendees Tour First LEED Certified House Omaha, Neb., November 1, 2007 – Attendees of the Miami-Dade Does Green Affordably Symposium will tour a prototype green single-family home, a joint project of University of Miami Green Building and Palmetto Homes, at 3 p.m. on Monday, November 12. The home, constructed with insulating concrete forms (ICFs) manufactured by Reward Wall Systems, Inc., demonstrates how a single-family house can be built affordably using environmentally friendly materials, techniques and mechanical systems. It is the first LEED certified home to be built in Miami. According to architect Steve Luria, RA, of Roomscapes, Inc., the 2,000 square-foot home features a ‘tight shell’, which will make the home energy efficient and keep ongoing energy costs low. The home also is certified as a fortified house, which means saving 50 percent on insurance. The house has impact-resistant windows, a hip-shaped roof, extra nailing on the roof and reinforced concrete walls created by ICF construction. Features that helped earn LEED certification for the home, in addition to the air-tight construction, are: rainwater collection, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, a tankless water heater, additional ceiling and water pipe insulation and eco-friendly finishes. All appliances are Energy Star rated. “Most green items have an additional up front cost, but result in savings on energy bills in the long run. We compared those costs to the cost of traditional concrete block construction, and we found this house will cost about 8% more to construct.” Luria estimated. The estimated annual energy and water savings are approximately $2,000, according to the Florida Power and Light and the Florida Green Building Coalition. The ICF system is estimated to cost $600 more than standard concrete block construction on the same sized house. The house will also have fewer problems with subterranean termites, as there is no wood in contact with the soil. Mold is less of an issue in ICF homes. Located in Omaha, Nebraska for the past 19 years, Reward Wall Systems, Inc. is the leading manufacturer and distributor of insulating concrete forms used in residential and commercial structures. Reward’s customers include developers, architects, general contractors, residential contractors, and construction supply distributors. To learn more about Reward Wall Systems, Inc. go to www.rewardwalls.com. ###
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