See new Florida homes meant to be disaster-proof, survive hurricanes
Can $1.4M Homes Endure Florida's Fury?
In Florida, a new community called Hunters Point features disaster-proof homes that have already survived two hurricanes. These net-zero homes, which start at $1.4 million, produce more energy than they consume, significantly reducing residents' utility bills. Developed by Marshall Gobuty, the homes are designed to address the increasing extreme weather and insurance challenges in the state.
What specific construction features have contributed to the resilience of homes in Hunters Point against hurricanes?
The resilience of homes in Hunters Point against hurricanes can be attributed to several construction features:
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Elevated Home Sites: The homes at Hunters Point are built on sites raised 16 feet above the local building code requirements, reducing their vulnerability to flooding.
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Raised Roads and Drainage System: The roads in the community are also raised and designed to direct accumulating rainfall away and onto the ground where it can be absorbed, further reducing the risk of flooding.
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Solar Panels and Battery Storage: Each home is equipped with solar panels installed so snugly that high winds can't get underneath them, ensuring clean power that can survive a storm. In addition, each home has batteries that provide power when the grid is unavailable.
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Resilient Building Materials: The homes are built using higher-quality insulation that reduces the need for air conditioning, heat pumps for more efficient heating and cooling, and energy-efficient appliances. The construction materials are also designed to reduce energy use and the need to make new material.
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Strong Building Envelope: The homes have a tight building envelope, achieved through the use of 2x6 insulation boards, better insulation, and double the amount of fill underneath the homes. This helps conserve energy and maintain a stable indoor temperature.
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LEED Certification: All homes in Hunters Point are LEED-certified platinum, the highest level of one of the most-used green building rating systems. This certification ensures that the homes are built to the highest standards of sustainability and resilience.
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Net-Zero Design: The homes at Hunters Point are designed to produce as much energy as they consume, thanks to a mix of solar and battery energy. This not only reduces their environmental impact but also makes them more resilient in the face of extreme weather events.
These features, combined with the community's commitment to sustainability and resilience, have allowed the homes in Hunters Point to withstand two hurricanes so far while also producing more energy than they consume.
How do Hunters Point homes achieve a net-zero energy consumption, and what technologies are utilized?
Hunters Point homes achieve net-zero energy consumption through a combination of advanced building technologies and renewable energy systems5. Each home is designed to generate as much energy as it consumes, primarily using solar power5. The developer, Marshall Gobuty, chose to integrate solar panels and batteries from the German startup sonnenBatterie to power the homes1. These homes produce 35% more power than initially modeled and consume 25% less energy, thanks to efficient design and technology1.
The homes are constructed with better insulation using 2×6 insulation boards instead of the typical 2×4, enhancing their energy conservation capabilities1. This robust insulation helps maintain a tight energy envelope, reducing heating and cooling demands. Additionally, the buildings are designed to be more airtight than standard homes, as evidenced by their performance in "blower door" tests, which measure air leakage and are tighter than the established rating systems1.
Overall, the combination of solar power generation, enhanced battery storage, superior insulation, and airtight construction allows Hunters Point homes to achieve net-zero energy consumption, contributing to a sustainable and energy-efficient living environment24.