Fireside Home Construction builds The Tuscany

A timber- panel home, designed by Riverbend and built by Fireside Home Construction won a Silver Medal in the cold climate, custom design home category in the 2006 Energy Value Housing Awards.
Fireside Home Construction has been in business for nearly 10 years, building approximately 6 custom homes per year. The home that won this award, “The Tuscany” Design by Riverbend Timber Framing, is 7,000 square feet. Located in Dexter, Michigan, the home is tucked away in beautiful wooded surroundings, and sloping landscape.

Bob Burnside stands with Frank Baker, (CEO), Connie Seiser, (Bob's sales representative), and Stewart Elliott, (National Riverbend Sales Manager)

According to the EVHA judges, Fireside Home Comstruction is a very dedicated builder that has a good focus on energy efficiency. This focus is reflected in their mission statement, “… to build premium quality timber frame, custom homes for customers who seek high quality, energy efficient, and sustainable housing.”Fireside Home Construction is so committed to value and the technology and concepts, that they even bring in their own testing equipment and send their installers to Energy and Environmental Building conferences.

Main Energy Features of the Home Include:

• Foundation: R-7.5 under-slab insulation; R-21 Spray foam basement wall insulation.
• Wall Construction: R-25 Insulspan structural insulated panels
• Roof Construction: R-43 structural insulated panels
• Windows: Double pane, low-e, gas filled; U-0.28; SHGC 0.43
• HVAC: Geothermal heat pump; 80% efficient heat recovery ventilator
• Ducts: 100% in conditioned space, sealed with mastic
• Water Heating: electric water heater with geothermal preheat
• Appliances: Energy Star Labeled refrigerator, washer, and dishwasher
• Blower Door test = 1.7 ACH50
• HERS rating = 90.3

Innovative features: Zoned HVAC system, thermal break between basement concrete slab; ground and exterior basement walls; rotary timer for exhaust ventilation (through HRV) in kitchen and baths.) Fireside Home Construction would like to thank: Mark Allor, Cheryl Glasser, Riverbend Timber Framing, Insulspan Structural Insulated Panels, JD Laundra Foundations, Michigan Energy Services, Unique Electric, Roberts Plumbing, and Fireside Hearth & Home.

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