MI Windows and Doors EnergyCore Windows Featured in Vision House Tucson Grand Opening
Tucson, AZ (PRWEB) December 24, 2013 -- Thursday, December 19th marked the grand opening of Green Builder Media’s latest demonstration project, the VISION House® Tucson. The VISION House Series is a collection of advanced, high performance, and truly sustainable homes built around the country. Each project is unique and provides an extraordinary opportunity for innovative builders, designers, contractors, manufacturers, to collaborate on a state-of-the-art project.
VISION House Tucson is remarkable in that it is built in a historical neighborhood, Armory Park del Sol, which has been deemed the ‘Greenest Neighborhood in America’ by the Department of Energy and recently won AARP’s ‘Most Livable Community’ award based on its sustainability, walkability, and access to downtown Tucson. Once a rail yard, the urban infill community has been thoughtfully planned and meticulously redeveloped by green building pioneer John Wesley Miller.
Miller designed all of the homes in Armory Park del Sol to aesthetically fit into the historical community. The traditional Southwestern style homes feature adobe exteriors and are net-zero energy, feature photovoltaics, solar thermal, sophisticated masonry thermal mass building envelope systems, super efficient insulation, glazing, lighting, and mechanical systems. The homes use approximately half of the water of an average American house, employing low-flow fixtures, water harvesting and filtration systems, and desert-friendly xeric landscaping.
MI Windows and Doors furnished the home with MI EnergyCore windows with High Performance Low-E glass and patented AirCell™ frame technology that enhance the energy savings provided by the structure. "MI Windows and Doors is proud to participate in the Vision House Tucson project. Our MI EnergyCore windows have proven themselves to be some of the most energy efficient windows made in America and are well-suited for net-zero environments," said Mike DeSoto, COO, of MI Windows and Doors.
MI EnergyCore windows have been recognized as ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2013 by the EPA. The ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2013 designation recognizes the most efficient products among those that qualify for the ENERGY STAR and represent the leading edge in energy efficient products. For more information about MI EnergyCore windows, go to http://mienergycore.com.
Several local dignataries attended the opening including Congressman Barber, Mayor Rothschild, Senator Farley, several Deans from the University of Arizona, city council members, other elected officials, and a diverse group of professionals and homeowners. Congressman Ron Barber spoke of John Wesley Miller's leadership and vision in the green building community, "John is a shining example of how far you can take technology in a responsible way. This home now stands alone as a model for the rest of the country."
With its exceptional HERS rating of negative 21, the home is expected to produce all its own energy and will be able to sell excess energy produced back to the local utility. Vision House Tucson is the first net-zero energy house using the City/County Net-Zero Energy Building Standard. The total cost of owning a net-zero home (including mortgage and utilities) is less than the cost of a owning a similarly priced home that only meets the minimum requirements of the building code. Net-zero homes lock in energy rates much lower than Tucson Electric Power (TEP) can provide, giving the homeowner a secure energy future, plus they help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce TEP's need to purchase peak power.
The windows were supplied by MIWD dealer, Apex Window and Bath. Established in 1995, Apex is a family-owned business that prides themselves on quality, service, reputation, and innovation. By maintaining small business philosophies and a hometown approach while also adapting to a rapidly changing market, economy, and new technologies, they have been able to both provide their customers with the best possible price and expand into the future. For more information, visit http://www.apexwindowsandbath.com.
Patrick Schutte, MI Windows and Doors, http://www.miwd.com, +1 (928) 710-1717, [email protected]
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