EPB and HabiChatt (Habitat for Humanity's local affiliate) volunteers will begin the second phase of EPB's Habitat house today when they team up with 3D Construction to blow cellulose insulation into the house. This insulation will be blown into the frame walls, around the pipes and wires, in the attic, and crawl spaces of the house.

"I began using cellulose insulation over twenty years ago," said Doug Rye, a residential energy consultant and licensed architect. "Cellulose insulated homes are more soundproof, fireproof, bug proof, energy efficient and more comfortable than fiberglass insulated homes. My experience has been that a structure's energy bills will be at least 20% lower just by switching to cellulose insulation," continued Rye.

Traditional HabiChatt homes are insulated with fiberglass insulation. However, EPB's Habitat home will have many distinctions to make it the most energy-efficient Habitat home in the United States. Besides blowing in the cellulose insulation, EPB and HabiChatt volunteers have incorporated the following energy efficient methods in the past month:

Caulking and sealing was performed during the framing stage.
Ductwork was properly sealed.
High efficient electric heat pump provided by Noland Company has been installed.

According to Greg Epperson, EPB's Supervisor of Energy Services, volunteers will integrate additional energy-efficient techniques in the upcoming weeks making it the first all electric Habitat home in the United States to be built on the energy efficient building methods of Doug Rye.

Chattanooga's local Habitat for Humanity chapter, HabiChatt, is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing by creating homeownership opportunities for working, low-income families. HabiChatt has built 166 homes and helped nearly 600 members of the Chattanooga community since 1986. HabiChatt, in partnership with local companies and civic organizations, builds simple and affordable homes in partnership with those in need. Volunteers and future homeowners provide the labor in building the homes.

This represents the 166th Habitat home to be built in the Chattanooga area by HabiChatt and the 25th house to be built in the Shepard Park neighborhood in Chattanooga. EPB has donated materials, equipment and manpower to this pilot home to further reduce the cost to the homeowner and Habitat for Humanity. Weather permitting, it is anticipated that the project, which broke ground on Sept. 11, will be completed in eight more weeks. The 1,050 square foot home contains three bedrooms and two bathrooms.