Concrete Brings Home Sustainable Benefits to Net-Zero Habitat for Humanity Project

Concrete Brings Home Sustainable Benefits to Net-Zero Habitat for Humanity
Project

Home earns highest "green" certification due to concrete applications

PHOENIX, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Portland Cement Association,
in partnership with Salt River Materials Group and Habitat for Humanity, today
held a press conference at the 2009 Greenbuild International Conference and
Expo to educate attendees about Habitat for Humanity's first concrete home in
Central Arizona. Selected from more than 200 entries, the home will appear on
the U.S. Green Building Council's "Contemporary Desert Living" tour, which
showcases sustainable homes that embrace the region's culture.

The home receives the coveted "Net-Zero" energy designation -- it consumes the
same amount of energy that it produces on a yearly average -- is LEED(R)
Platinum certified and exceeds Energy Star(R) certification requirements.
Constructed with concrete walls and outfitted with concrete finishes inside
and out, it showcases the versatile and sustainable applications of the
world's most widely-used building material.

Contributing to the energy efficiency and sustainability of the home, the
walls were constructed using insulated concrete form wall systems (ICF). These
large foam blocks are stacked and filled with concrete, resulting in a
durable, energy efficient building that is more structurally sound and
sustainable than traditional stick built homes. Using this technique, the
homeowners' cost for heating and cooling the home is expected to average $32
per month.

"This project is about making sure that sustainability is not just in the
construction process, but a platform for the lifecycle of the home," said
Brian McCarthy, PCA president and CEO. ""Because Habitat for Humanity chose
concrete the family that calls this house a home will enjoy much lower energy
bills and many other perks throughout the lifetime of the home."

In addition to the wall systems, the home employs concrete roofing tiles that
combine with a solar panel system to contribute to the overall energy
efficiency of the structure and offer a level of reflectivity that helps to
keep the home cooler in the hot desert sun. The driveway, constructed with
pervious concrete, allows rainwater to seep through and recharge groundwater
supplies while filtering out harsh contaminants, contributing to the
environmentally-friendly attributes of the home.

"It has been my distinct pleasure to spearhead this important project for
Habitat for Humanity," said Scott Palmer, PCA Residential Committee chair and
market development manager for Salt River Materials Group. "Innovation,
durability and efficiency are the hallmarks of sustainable design, and the
home showcases these elements throughout."

The interior of the home contains concrete countertops and flooring that are
not only decorative, but durable and lend to the sustainability and health of
the home. Concrete countertops require little upkeep and are much more
long-lasting than traditional countertops. The durable concrete flooring
contributes to better indoor air quality than carpeting or laminate flooring.

"This experience helped to educate Habitat for Humanity on the many benefits
of concrete and how it can help to improve the homes we construct," said James
Ball, sustainable building manager, Habitat for Humanity. "Salt River
Materials Group guided us each step of the way, educating our organization on
techniques and how to employ the use of this durable, sustainable material."

About PCA
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement
companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development,
engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. More
information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.

SOURCE Portland Cement Association

Patti Flesher of Portland Cement Association, +1-847-972-9136,
pflesher@cement.org, www.cement.org/newsroom