| Student-Built
House is Energy-Efficient If you’re looking for an affordable, energy-efficient home with lots of extra features, the latest Student-Built House could be perfect for your family. Flathead Electric is once again participating in the Student-Built House project, which gives high school and college students hands-on experience in all aspects of home building, with supervision by professionals. “Flathead Electric has been an incredible partner with us for this program,” said Greg Waldrop, instructor and coordinator of the Building Trades Program at Flathead Valley Community College. “They have stepped up to the plate and supported a program that I think is incredibly valuable for the Valley. We’ve turned out some very energy-efficient homes and it’s benefited the students and the homeowners immeasurably.” The
Co-op pays the cost of extra insulation to bring the house up to Super
Good Cents standards and underwrites the cost of the Air Source Heat Pump
that heats and cools the house. The student-built houses have ranged in size from approximately 1,350 square feet to slightly more than 1,500 square feet. Heating and cooling costs have varied, with the smaller, more efficient model averaging $24.83 per month, or a total of $298 per year. The larger model averaged $42.75 per month, or $513 per year. The variance also is affected by a number of other factors, including window square footage, insulation techniques and individual preferences for thermostat settings. The current home has between 1,400 and 1,500 square feet of living space, plus a two-car attached garage. Construction began in August and will be finished by the end of the school year. The house will be put up for sale sometime in the early Spring. This year’s home is located at 2307 Merganser, in Phase II of the Ashley Park subdivision. This is the seventh home built by students since the program began in 1996. This year, 20 students from FVCC and Flathead High School are enrolled in the program. The instructor is paid by a partial grant from FVCC and funds from the high schools that are participating. The instructor answers to the Co-Chairmen of the Student-Built House Committee and the Board of Directors of the Flathead Building Association, which serves as homeowner and contractor until the home is sold. All the homes have sold quickly and for the full asking price. Money from sale of the homes goes back into the program. For sales information on the Student-Built House, call Katy Beck, Ranch and Home Realty, 755-4266. Roundup For Safety Report Roundup For Safety is a voluntary program for FEC members.
Applications
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