In just 12 weeks, EPB, Chattanooga's electric utility, and Chattanooga Habitat for Humanity's local chapter, HabiChatt, have completed the first Habitat home in the United States to be built by the energy efficiency methods of a renowned residential
energy expert, Doug Rye.

Based upon his methods and principles and the lifestyles of the homeowners, the Garth family, who are the owners of the new EPB Habitat house, can expect to see an average monthly heating and cooling cost of $30 year-round, officials said.

EPB provided a tour of the absolutely energy efficient home located at 5841 Bunch St. on Thursday.

Doug Rye, along with EPB's Energy Expert, Greg Epperson, provided guided tours of the home to point out the distinguishing features of this home versus a traditional Habitat home.

Doug Rye's methodology and principles have been incorporated into more than 200,000 privately built houses in the United States with amazing results. According to Greg Epperson, EPB's Energy Services Supervisor, this home has the following distinctions from other homes built by HabiChatt:

- Cellulose insulation, which is recycled newspaper with a fire
retardant, was used to insulate the frame walls, attic, and crawlspace
walls of the home.
- Caulking was used around all electrical and plumbing
penetrations, doors, windows, and framing joints of the exterior walls.
- Low E double glazed windows were installed.
- Duct work was placed in the crawlspace. In traditional Habitat
homes, the duct work is also placed here; however, the walls of the
crawlspace in EPB's Habitat Home were insulated so the duct work is
actually in semi- conditioned area.
- No vents were installed in the crawlspace. The closed
crawlspace with insulated walls creates a semi-conditioned area.
- A Rheem Marathon electric water heater was installed.
- A high efficiency electric heat pump was installed.
- Installed hard pipe duct work instead of flex duct work.

"Based upon my methods, the homeowner of this energy efficient Habitat house will have the most comfortable home with heating and cooling costs averaging only $30 per month," said Doug Rye. "And these methods can be duplicated in any home. If you are a first-time homeowner; building a new house, or just want to make changes to an older existing home, you will find that even simple changes can have
great results."

"EPB and HabiChatt volunteers have dedicated twelve weekends, totaling more than 1,000 man-hours to complete this innovative and energy efficient home," said Greg Epperson. "We are not only grateful for partnership with HabiChatt and Doug Rye, but we are tremendously appreciative of all of the volunteers who donated their
time and talents and the donations received from Noland Company. Noland Company donated the Marathon Water Heater, the Rheem heat pump, and furnished all of the plumbing fixtures," continued Epperson.

This represents the 166th Habitat home to be built in the Chattanooga
community by HabiChatt and the 25th house to be built in the Shepard
Park neighborhood of Chattanooga. The Garth family will move into their 1,050 square foot home, which includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms in mid-December.

"By building this house, EPB has not only helped the Garth family achieve their dream of owning a home, but we have also provided them a gift of life as the family can expect their utility bills to be drastically reduced all yearlong because of the energy savings techniques implemented while building this house," said Harold DePriest, EPB's President & CEO. "EPB hopes to build a relationship with Habitat for Humanity to build more homes that incorporate Doug
Rye's methods."

About Doug Rye
Known as the "King of Caulk and Talk", Doug is probably the best
known residential energy consultant in America. He is currently the
host of "Home Remedies," a radio series that airs on over 100 radio
stations in eleven states. A licensed architect, Doug shares his
expertise at energy seminars across the country, conducting 150 seminars a year at homebuilder associations, utility companies, and home shows.
Doug's radio listeners and seminar attendants learn about building new
homes that dramatically lower energy bills without sacrificing other
amenities. For more information on Doug Rye, visit www.dougrye.com.

About HabiChatt
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 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.

Jack Riggars, HabiChatt's Resource Director, center, and Harold DePriest, EPB's President and CEO, far left, present keys to the house to the new homeowner, Betty Garth.
- Photo2 by EPB