Energy Efficient Neighborhood

A new subdivision going up in Springdale uses energy-saving materials. The home`s insulation comes from a soybean-based liquid that hardens once it`s applied. BioBased systems produces the insulation. After the insulation is sprayed onto the surface area, it expands to one-hundred times its liquid form-- filling any cracks and crevices. BioBased representatives say the insulation can save home-owners thirty to fifty-percent in heating costs. Homeowner Conrad Eberhard agrees. "I did the numbers and it came out to be about one-hundred fifty-five dollars a month that we`re saving on our gas bill," he says. Another energy saving factor-- sealing the windows and the pipes in the home`s duct-system. Plus, all homes in the Renaissance South subdivision are built with fresh-air venting systems. "The windows, the duct work, the heat and air systems, the fresh-air vent system and all that put together gives somebody a very comfortable home, a healthy home they can live well in and save money," says homebuilder Jeff Martin. These features add up to be an additional five to six-thousand dollar investment, but Martin says it`s worth it. The entire subdivision should be complete in about twelve months.