From all of the graceful building elements and materials, the attention to detail and functionality, and the rugged, sturdy, and energy efficient structure, it was the warmth and sense of home that seemed to be what helped the Sagehill win the People’s choice Award for this year’s 20^th Annual Parade of Homes in Missoula, MT.

Like its namesake, Sagehill springs from the hills above the river valley, offering a spectacular view of Missoula.  Just minutes from all things urban, the home is an island of countryside.

It wasn’t just the popular opinion from the attendees of the Parade of Homes, it also garnered notice from the experienced judges as well.  The Sagehill won the “Overall Design Award” selected by 7 independent professional judges from around the region before the event began.  Muehlhausen said he was surprised and pleased.  “It’s a big honor to have a majority of people prefer your home.”

In addition to its eye-pleasing features, Muehlhausen Homes carefully constructed the Sagehill while keeping a sharp eye on two shades of green:  resource efficiency and budget.

1. Reward Insulating Concrete Forms were used for both the foundation and main floor walls to provide excellent thermal and sound insulation, as well as a base for the stucco exterior.

2. Energy efficient double pane windows also feature a Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certification.

3. A 96% efficient Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) along with the use of the insulating concrete forms, maintains indoor air quality and manages moisture levels.

4. Careful air sealing techniques, waste recycling, and the finest craftsmanship complete this Energy Star certified project.

“It was a pleasure working with Reward Wall Systems, it is the only block I have worked with that will allow the concrete to flow freely, virtually eliminating voids” remarked Paul.

Architect:  The Design Company – Mark Schonrock

Builder:  Muehlhausen Construction – Paul Muehlhausen

Insulating Concrete Forms:  Reward Wall Systems – Advanced Building Supply – Todd Parge

The New Standard for Sustainability. Tell the World.

Providence Homes was referred to Reward and our unique in-person training, from their spray-in insulation company, Foam-Tech who is an avid proponent of our Insulating Concrete Forms. Scott, seeing the knowledge and commitment our company dedicated to his project, he was able to present the idea to Mr. Gerhart, who is a professional contractor himself, and was instantly sold on the idea.

Over the next months of building and pouring concrete, what unfolded for the public to see was a custom home that was designed around the principle of securing the building envelope, and experiencing the efficiencies of doing so.

The house is 4,458 square foot ranch style sitting on a 3.5 acre lot, with a slope that affords a lower walkout level. The main floor is 2,548 sq ft of finished space and features a side load 3-car garage and a hexagonal shaped library as well. Windows on each floor are southern facing window groupings, which will absorb the sun in the winter months, and the thermal mass of the ICF walls and footings will keep the interior temperatures even through the year.

The rear covered deck has tile flooring and a handsome wood burning fireplace finished with Eldorado Stone. The lower level has 1,910 sq. ft. of finished space and is accessed by stairs and an elevator.  It has  in-law quarters with a full handicapped bath on one end and a kitchen in the middle living area, as  well as an additional two bedrooms and a full bath on the other end of the basement.  It also walks out onto a spacious patio.

Here’s the cool part of it.  By now if you’ve read aBlog by Reward HOPEFULLY you’ve read a little on our product.  One key measurement of the building envelope is the air change per hour, or ACH- the number of times the home’s air is replaced by outside air in an hour. Normally in the ICF industry you’ll see numbers from .04 to .09 advertised which is extremely good. By comparison from Wikipedia, the average ACH for an average American home is 1.0 and 2.0 per hour, and newly constructed “tight” homes are around .35 – .25 ACH.

However, they were able to test the home to certify through Energy Star, and Mr. Gerhart’s house came in at 0.04 and 0.03 ACH for heating and cooling respectively. That is TEN times more tight than the average “tight” American home.

What does this mean? It means we don’t lie.

It means:

Reward ICFs can get  an ACH rating of .03

Less air infiltration gives you control on the outside air coming in, thus being able to reduce allergens

Comfortable even temperatures- there aren’t cold or hot spots in the house

Less Warm air leaks out when you want your house cozy, reducing energy use of your furnace

Less Warm air leaks in when you want your house cool, reducing energy use from your A/C

Energy Use

Speaking of less energy use, here’s the finale for Mr. Gerhart’s home.  By using Reward Insulating Concrete Forms and partnering with Foam-Tech for the spray-in attic insulation and sealing window openings to secure a tight envelope the Gerhart house will:

1.  Use 55 mmBTU/year  vs.  204 mmBTU/year for the average American home

2.  Cost an average of $53 a month on Heating and Cooling costs- that’s 1.2 cents a square foot!

3.  Use 62% less energy for heating and 36% less energy for cooling than a similar home

4.  Reduce CO² consumption by a total of 55% LESS pounds per year than a similar home

These numbers are staggering.

We want to congratulate Mr. Gerhart, Providence Homes, Construction Supply Center of New Holland, and Foam-Tech on your Energy Star Rated home and being able to show Lancaster County Parade of Homes The New Standard of Sustainability.