Governor O'Malley mentions NEXUS in his State of the State Address

We were excited today to learn that Governor O’Malley, in his State of the State address, made lengthy and highly positive mention of Nexus and the progress we are making in Frederick, throughout the State of Maryland and all the jobs we are creating. The clip has yet to be posted to the Assembly site, but we should be on the news tonight and in papers tomorrow.

The link to the speech is posted below. This is great publicity for Nexus EnergyHomes, Inc.

http://www.governor.maryland.gov/documents/2013StateoftheState.pdf

How Foundry Court came to be, and what makes it distinctive

As you may have read by now, Philadelphia’s first net-zero energy housing development will soon rise on the site of a former fish wholesaler at 720 N. Fourth St. (Fourth and Brown streets) in Northern Liberties. To be called Foundry Court, it is remarkable both for its ultra-energy-efficient design and for its price point, which is comparable to conventional homes in its class.

Another distinctive feature of the Foundry Court homes is that they combine high-tech energy-efficient construction with neotraditional design - most "green" homes signal their difference through ultra-contemporary style.

Equally interesting is how this project came to land in Philadelphia.

Stevensville, Md.-based Nexus EnergyHomes has been refining its cost-effective construction techniques on a number of net-zero energy home developments in Maryland for several years now. Its track record for innovation and value has captured the attention of the home building industry: the National Association of Home Builders bestowed its EnergyValue Housing Award Builder of the Year honor on the firm this year.
The firm also captured the attention of Carol Diament, who both invests in and sells innovative homes at the Coldwell Banker Preferred Avenue of the Arts office. “I had heard about this company in my travels,” she told us. “I met Anthony Ingargiola, their co-project manager for Philadelphia, at an event and was so impressed by what his firm had to offer that I went down to Maryland to investigate their developments.”

Site plan for the Foundry Court development

Ingargiola’s presence here was a sign that Nexus was looking to expand beyond its Maryland home base. Diament was in the right place at the right time to put builder and opportunity together. Foundry Court is Nexus’ first development in both the Philadelphia area and in Pennsylvania.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the concept, a net-zero energy home is not designed to operate completely off the grid – the weather in the Northeast is too variable for that to be possible. But through the combination of ultra-energy-saving construction and infrastructure and solar power generation, a net-zero home will feed power back to the grid on sunny days while drawing minimal energy from it at night and on cloudy days, resulting in a net energy cost of zero, or awfully damn close to it, over the course of the year.
What makes Nexus’ net-zero homes more remarkable is that they cost only about five percent more to build than conventional homes. A Federal tax credit of 20 to 30 percent for purchasing such homes erases the cost differential. “Nobody else has figured out how to build a house that is so energy efficient without being prohibitively expensive,” said Diament.
Diament reports that Foundry Court has received the blessing of the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association and is awaiting Zoning Board of Adjustment approval. That’s expected to be granted in early August, with construction commencing right after that. The four-bedroom, 2.5-bath homes should be completed sometime in December and will be priced in the $700,000 range. Diament is the co-developer along with Nexus; her business partner, Andrew Feldman in the Avenue of the Arts office, is the listing agent for the homes.
-By Sandy Smith for PhiladelphiaRealEstate.com
Architects’ renderings from Nexus EnergyHomes, courtesy Carol Diament

FCBIA - Best Production Home Award

Environmental Excellence Division - Best Production Home Award, Frederick County Building Industry Association

Best Production Home - $300,000 - $400,000

NEXUS EnergyHomes - Duplex 20 - NorthPointe

The FCBIA Environmental Excellence Awards offer recognition for excellence in energy and water efficiency, sustainability and enviromental sensitivity of commercial, new home and remodelling design.

Nexus wins Smart CEO VOLT Awards

Nexus wins Smart CEO VOLT Awards: Leaders in Technology Fastest Growing Technology Implementer, (Medium) The VOLT Awards celebrated the distinguished achievements of twenty-seven of Greater Baltimore’s leaders in technology

NEXUS ENERGYHOMES INSTALLS FIRST ROOFTOP SUN-TRACKING SOLAR POWER SYSTEM

Rising Energy Costs Create Demand

Baltimore’s Federal Hill Row-House Model for Nation (ANNAPOLIS) Mar. 12, 2012— Stevensville, Md. based NEXUS EnergyHomes has installed the first sun-tracking solar device on the rooftop of a row house residence on Federal Hill in Baltimore. "With electricity prices reaching unprecedented rates, American home owners are demanding better energy choices," says NEXUS CEO and President, Paul Zanecki. "This sun-tracker system is the first of its kind to offer higher performance results that make it that much easier to reach electric net-zero goals," he said.

The Dual-Panel Tracker (DPT) manufactured by Advanced Technology & Research Corp., which is based in Columbia, Md., consists of two 235 Watt solar panels attached to a sun-tracking mount affixed to the roof. An advanced GPS-controlled drive unit rotates the panels to follow the sun and capture 30 to 45 percent more energy than conventional fixed panels on a flat roof.

Rising Energy Costs Create Demand In 2010 alone, Maryland residential customers paid an average of 24 percent (14.32/kW) more than the national average (11.54/kW per hour).*
USA Today reported in December that 2010 marked the fifth national consecutive yearly increase in electricity rates, adding an average of $300 per year to household electricity bills. That trend is expected to rise over the next decade.

Solar Lowers Electric Bills Carl Chirichella, the row house home owner and an engineer for ATR, was initially intrigued by the technology but says the financial incentives were also very compelling to him as a homeowner. "Utilizing the dual-panel tracker is an innovative solution to generating on-site renewable energy within the small footprint that city living affords," he says. Chirichella can expect to see a nearly 20 percent reduction in his electric bill with just the one dual-panel system installed so far. But he can add more at any time. Five such systems would allow him to achieve an electrical
"net-zero" balance for his home—eliminating the electrical bill, and potentially offering him energy credits, that if unused, can be returned for use by the BGE utility grid.

Financial Incentives Financial incentives beyond the reduction or elimination of power bills include solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs), clean energy grants, and residential renewable energy tax credits. These incentives combined with monthly energy savings will allow homeowners to recoup their solar investment in about 5 years. After that, the system is paid for and will supply free electric power for many years.

Consumer Acceptance "The Federal Hill area is a perfect market for this technology, and our installation at the Chirichella residence allows us to provide accurate documentation of the savings that will be achieved by ATR’s Dual-Panel Tracker, since Mr. Chirichella is one of their engineers," says Zanecki. Home to many tech professionals and earth-conscious progressives, Federal Hill residents are looking for ways to reduce their reliance on fossil-fuels, and live a greener, more cost-efficient lifestyle, while still enjoying the vital urban lifestyle Baltimore has to offer.

NEXUS is the winner of the EnergyValue Housing Award® 2012 Builder of the Year, affirming the company’s vision to lead the nation as a model for energy-efficient homebuilding. NEXUS was also awarded the EVHA New Homes Gold Award for Production in Moderate Climate.

About Nexus EnergyHomes The NEXUS EnergyHome provides every new home-buyer with the opportunity to own a home that meets NetZero Standards —a home that offers the ability to be figuratively "off the grid" and produce as much energy as it consumes. After years of research and testing with the NAHB, and through NEXUS EnergyHomes’ complex construction process using proprietary designs, innovative materials, and the very best of modern technologies, NEXUS EnergyHomes is making a revolutionary change to the way homes are constructed in America. Simply put, NEXUS EnergyHomes is the first company to make these technologies work in perfect harmony in a single family home, and at a rate no different than other homes currently on the market.

NEXUS EnergyHomes offers custom homes throughout the United States, and currently has GeoSolar communities in the Mid-Atlantic, Frederick, MD, Three Creeks in Centreville, MD, Wisp at Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland and Philadelphia, PA. To learn more about NEXUS EnergyHomes, neighborhoods and communities, or Nexus custom homes, please contact us at 410.604.2870 or visit www.nexusenergyhomes.com

*Source: Energy Information Administration

Frederick News Post - Nexus EnergyHomes named National Builder of the Year

Originally published February 27, 2012 By Ed Waters Jr. News-Post Staff

The Nexus EnergyHomes net-zero energy houses on North Bentz Street have drawn attention since they opened last year.   The company, based in Stevensville, has earned national honors for those houses, as well as its efforts to promote green building trends in the industry. Nexus EnergyHomes has been presented the Energy Value Housing Award 2012 Builder of the Year. The award is managed by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, in partnership with the NAHB organization, and the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Program and National Renewable Energy Program. Nexus EnergyHomes also won the EVHA New Homes Gold Award for Production in Moderate Climate. The company has received "Emerald Certification" from the NAHB, the highest level of green building standards set by the organization.   Mike Murphy, Nexus Construction Division president, said he hopes to make Frederick the Emerald City of Maryland, according to a news release from the company. An EVHA judge commended the company, noting that the homes contain high quality materials, outstanding energy efficient features and the firm uses incredible marketing. The judge called it an outstanding and comprehensive package, according to the news release. At North Pointe, the 55-home community Nexus EnergyHomes is building along North Bentz and West Sixth streets, more than 20 homes are sold or under contract, said Mike Muren, Realtor for the project, along with several associates. "People appreciate the home for what it is," Muren said at the model at 618 N. Bentz St. "It is a quality-built home that offers something no other homebuilder is able to offer right now." Muren said the combination of energy savings and health aspects of the house are key points to sales.  "It is an extremely clean house," Muren said. Air in the house is exchanged every 48 minutes, an exceptional point for those suffering allergies or respiratory problems. The homes also feature solar energy power, geothermal heat and cooling, structurally integrated panel construction that ensures a tighter envelope for the house and Nexus Vision. The latter allows homeowners to use a computer, iPad or other device to control the home's climate, unlock or lock doors and other functions while away from the house. The two homes now existing are priced around $297,000, but energy tax credits and incentives can bring the price down. Buyers span demographics, from first-time buyers to retirees to families with children, Muren said. The location, neighborhoods, features and price, as well as the energy savings are all selling points. He typically gets 50 to 60 visitors a week at the model home. At special open houses, it could be 50 in one day, Muren said.  "It is nice to see Frederick on the national stage," Muren said of the NAHB Awards. The Builder of the Year Award considers how the company integrates exceptional energy performance, attention to detail, cost and energy value, the news release stated. Nexus EnergyHomes was especially recognized for working with the industry to promote green building techniques. Noting that Nexus is a relatively new builder, NAHB said in a news release the company has "enormous potential to affect both the local and national home building industry." Muren said local developers have been talking with Nexus representatives about building houses in other communities. More Nexus homes are planned in Jefferson, New Market and Ijamsville, as well as Frederick.    For details, visit www.homes atnorthpointe.com or call Muren at 301-524-4471. The model home is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

NEXUS ENERGYHOMES WINS EVHA 2012 BUILDER OF THE YEAR

NEXUS ENERGYHOMES WINS EVHA 2012 BUILDER OF THE YEAR

Company Has Tremendous Potential to Affect the National and Local Home Building Industry

 (STEVENSVILLE) Feb. 13, 2012—Stevensville, Md-based NEXUS EnergyHomes, Inc., is the winner of the EnergyValue Housing Award® 2012 Builder of the Year, announced during the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fl last Wednesday. The EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA) honors builders and remodelers who voluntarily incorporate energy efficiency in the design, construction and marketing of homes.

Nexus’ was one of seventeen builders in the nation nominated for the 2012 Builder of the Year. The nominees were judged on the merits of the homes’ design, construction and value. As they considered all facets of each nominee’s home production, the NAHB Research Center reported that their final decision to award Nexus EnergyHomes as the 2012 Builder of the Year came when they realized that the company, while relatively new to the business, has “enormous potential to affect both the local and national home building industry.”

The Builder of the Year award affirms the company’s vision to successfully integrate exceptional energy performance, attention to detail, and cost and energy value under one roof. “We are thrilled to be singled-out as the overall winner among so many energy-efficient home builders with such a prestigious award,” Murphy says.

The EVHA Builder of the Year award is managed by the NAHB Research Center (NAHBRC) in partnership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s Building America Program, and National Renewable Energy Program (NREL).  In announcing Nexus’ win the group said they also considered the company’s extensive pre-build strategic planning and research as, “an indication that the company is dedicated to doing things right the first time.” Additionally, they reported the post-construction review and testing that led Nexus to strive for further improvements, “shows that the company is not content to remain stagnant with respect to energy efficiency and the quality of their construction.”

Nexus’ staffers report that when Paul Zanecki, Nexus’ president, reviews any of his company’s plans, his next question is always, “how can we continually innovate?” “I want to make homes that are better in every way—integrating all the best performing technologies under one roof. Until that vision is realized, I keep pushing,” Zanecki says.

Nexus also won the EVHA New Homes Gold Award for Production in Moderate Climate. In consideration of that win, an EVHA judge said, “This is the whole package. [It contains] high quality materials, outstanding energy efficient features, and incredible marketing. It is an outstanding and comprehensive package.”

Nexus is one of the few homebuilding companies in America that has received certification for achieving the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) “Emerald Certification”—the highest level of Green Building standards established by the NAHB. The first duplex-home built in their Frederick Maryland, North Pointe community received Emerald Certification in January, and the company has pending applications for five more homes built from the same model. Nexus Construction Division President, Mike Murphy says he hopes to make Frederick, the ‘Emerald City’ of Maryland.

Three years of intensive research and development in conjunction with the NAHBRC, resulted in an epiphany for Nexus that they were capable of delivering net-zero homes on a budget of $300,000 or less. They achieved this with the launch of their first community, targeting homebuyers who were looking for energy-efficient, affordable, new construction homes. The 59-home development, North Pointe, a GeoSolar Community in Frederick, Md. sold both model homes in the first two weeks of offering and ended 2011 with 16 lots under contract, six homes nearing completion, and a further eight pending building permits. Nexus is projecting a consistent 2012 sales pace, for this community, of one home per week, which has the potential of selling out North Pointe by years’ end at price points consistent with increased quality and demand. They also contracted to build single-family custom homes last year in Frederick, Centerville, and are set to build in communities reaching from Philadelphia, Pa to South Carolina.

About Nexus EnergyHomes

The NEXUS EnergyHome provides every new home-buyer with the opportunity to own a home that meets NetZero Standards —a home that offers the ability to be figuratively “off the grid” and produce as much energy as it consumes. After years of research and testing with the NAHB, and through Nexus EnergyHomes’ complex construction process using proprietary designs, innovative materials, and the very best of modern technologies, Nexus EnergyHomes is making a revolutionary change to the way homes are constructed in America.  NEXUS EnergyHomes is the first company to make these technologies work in perfect harmony in a single family home, and at a rate no different than other homes currently on the market.

By combining the application of innovative “GeoSolar” energy production, and effective energy-saving building techniques, and utilizing a proprietary “NexusVision Smart Systems” web-based, energy-usage monitoring and control system, each “Nexus EnergyHomes” homeowner has net-zero energy balance within their grasp. Using the earth as an inverse temperature conductor and the sun as a power source, NEXUS EnergyHomes utilize a combination of geothermal (ground sourced) heat pumps, photovoltaic solar panels, super insulated building shells and state-of-the art electronic and web-based controls and monitoring systems. All household electrical equipment and appliances are Energy-Star rated. NEXUS’ entire electrical system is tied to the electrical or utility grid for “net metering”. Power is produced during periods of sunshine and drawn from the grid at night, or in periods of extensive cloud cover, in order to produce annual, zero or near zero grid electricity demand “Off the Grid”.

The company’s certifications and affiliations include: National Association of Homebuilders; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star designation; Indoor Air PLUS Qualified Homes (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency); Building America Program (U.S. Department of Energy)

Nexus EnergyHomes offers custom homes throughout the United States. To learn more about Nexus EnergyHomes, neighborhoods and communities, or Nexus custom homes, please contact us at 410.604.2870 or visit www.nexusenergyhomes.com 

NEXUS EnergyHomes on WTOP

WTOP's David Burd contributed to this story. Follow David and WTOP on Twitter.
                 

FREDERICK, Md. - Homebuyers looking for energy-efficient homes have some new options in downtown Frederick. Nexus Energy Homes will complete 55 energy-efficient houses by the end of 2012.
They feature cost-saving, green technology, including solar panels, energy recovery ventilation and geothermal pipes that go 300 feet into the ground where it stays a temperate 55 degrees. This helps the heating system warm up faster and use less energy than systems that have to start up at the outside temperature.
An energy bill for a three-level, three-bedroom home can range from zero to $30, according to Nexus Homes. Most homeowners end up with a surplus of energy they can sell back to the power companies to make extra bucks.
Other features include double insulation, energy recovery ventilation and high efficiency heating and cooling. Fresh air is pumped back into the homes every 48 minutes where it goes through filters, keeping allergens stay out.
The houses also have energy-efficient appliances, and they have advanced monitoring systems that can be controlled by using an iPad supplied by the builder.
The homes range in price from $275,000 to $700,000 depending on size and model.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Centreville Home Could Make History

Is set to be Maryland's first free-standing net zero home

By SHAUNA THOMPSON Star Democrat Staff Writer

Posted: Friday, December 16, 2011 12:00 am

CENTREVILLE When Michael and Jeannie Whichard began looking for homes in Maryland last December, they had no idea their journey would end with a story for the record books.
If construction of their Centreville home remains on schedule, the Whichards will move into Maryland's first free-standing net zero home by the end of January.
The home, which is currently under construction in the Three Creeks area of Centreville by Nexus Energy Homes, will generate as much energy as it uses, creating a net zero balance at year's end.
The finished product will be equipped with geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaic solar panels, super-insulated building shells and environmentally conscious, or "green," building materials.
A broadcast engineer by trade, Michael Whichard appreciates both the technical and practical aspects of his new construction.
"I'm all about economics and efficiency. I'm always trying to find ways to do it better, faster and for less money. It's my job," said Michael Whichard, who currently works with American Forces broadcasting out of Ft. Meade.
His new home promises to meet all of those criteria and more.

BETTER
The home is constructed from the ground up with the most air-tight and efficient materials available, said Mike Murphy, construction division president for Nexus.
Traditional building techniques allow a house to breathe, which sounds good but creates a structure at nature's whim hot in the summer, cold in the winter and subject to air pollution.
The Whichards' foundation is structural insulated panels (SIP), made of rigid plastic foam sandwiched between structural boards. This provides twice the insulation and strength of a standard foundation.
The home is sealed tight with expandable spray foam at the rafters and in every nook and cranny.
"Energy efficiency is in the envelope of the home. We build the tightest envelope of any builder anywhere," Murphy said.
This would be a disaster in a traditional home because it would produce excess moisture, enough to destroy everything inside, Murphy said, likening the result to living in a steam room.
In the Whichards' home, air will be conditioned and filtered, creating a constant and pure flow of air.
"The rocket science of this home is how we properly ventilate it and push air throughout the home," Murphy said.
Solar panels to produce enough energy for the home's systems come standard.
A geothermal heat pump, high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration system and pressurizing units sit in the conditioned attic space. Duct work servicing the systems is sealed with mastic, a liquid duct tape.
The system requires no more or less duct work than a traditional home, it's "just better," Murphy said.
He said maintenance of the system also is better than a traditional home. The HEPA filter is the only extraordinary requirement with filter replacement necessary every 12 to 18 months at a cost of about $110.
The payoff is the system still will be running perfectly after 25 to 30 years, since there is less strain than a traditional HVAC system.
Other standard features include Nexus Vision, a patented remote home control software, high efficiency windows and central vacuum.
With Nexus Vision, the Whichards can manage energy usage and other home administration from nearly anywhere.
High-efficiency wood windows, clad in vinyl on the outside for durability but left natural on the interior, are by preference of Murphy, who said for him, "wood is the only option."
The vacuum system is a necessity, as traditional appliances recycle dust and dirt back into the home.

FASTER
Michael Whichard said the most surprising thing so far is the speed at which his new home is going up. Even with a three-week delay due to Hurricane Irene, the home is on schedule for a five-month build out.
The Whichards signed the contract in June, broke ground in August and are still on track to close in January.
"I can build my homes faster because of the components I use," Murphy said. "The SIPs panels save 35 to 40 percent on labor alone. We are foundation to under roof in seven days."
Traditional construction takes 14 days from foundation to under roof, meaning the shell of the home is complete in 14 days, Murphy said.
"People say to plan for everything to take twice as long as it should with new construction. I can't believe how quick this process has been," Michael Whichard said.

CHEAPER
Time savings translates to cost savings, which means the Whichards were able to buy into their new 2,700-square-foot, three bedroom, two and a half bath, energy efficient, green home for $375,000.
Jeannie Whichard said this was a major consideration.
"I'm from the south, where $250,000 gets you a really nice home. Our dream was to live in a green home, and this makes it affordable," Jeannie Whichard said.
The price has gone up to around $420,000 now, due to modifications such as a mudroom for the Whichards' two large German shepherd-cattle, mixed breed dogs, plus additional storage areas for large quantities of belongings acquired through years of travel abroad.
Modifications in the kitchen include a raised dishwasher so Jeannie will not have to strain her already injured back to load and unload.
Although Jeannie is looking forward to these features specifically designed to her specifications, she is more anxiously awaiting a lifestyle free of allergens. She suffers from allergies of every imaginable kind, requiring two shots per week for the past 10 years. She has high hopes her suffering will at least lessen from an air-tight seal, conditioning and HEPA filtration system.
Standard in Nexus homes, there was no extra charge for this anticipated relief.
"Oh my gosh. All homes should be built like this," Jeannie Whichard said.

Maryland Clean Energy Center honors Nexus Energy Homes

Maryland Clean Energy Center honors Nexus Energy Homes
Star Democrat
Nov 18th, 2011

ROCKVILLE
Nexus Energy Homes and its leader, Paul Zanecki, recently were honored with the Maryland Clean Energy Center's Partnership Award.
The Partnership Award is presented to an individual, group or organization that has committed resources to encourage the success of the Maryland Clean Energy Center and its mission, or has facilitated successful partnerships between stakeholders in the state to advance adoption of clean energy products, services and technologies, as well as energy efficiency practices.

Nexus Energy Homes was awarded the honor for its "net zero energy" community that is being constructed in the city of Frederick.
Zanecki and his team have demonstrated that these kinds of homes are affordable at lower- and upper-income levels, and are building the homes of the future with the added value of related job creation and the deployment of renewable energy technology to generate clean power at the source of the demand, according to the press release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Ann Ashley    
NEXUS EnergyHomes   
ann.ashley@nexusenergyhomes.com
(410) 490-3675    

Alan Cohen
Advanced Technology & Research Corp.
acohen@atrsolartech.com
(443) 766-7954
Ground-mount “Suntrackers” featured by ATR Solartech, NEXUS EnergyHomes at Maryland Clean Energy Summit – suited for homeowners and businesses

October 26, 2011, Baltimore, MD – Two ground-mounted “Suntrackers” are being exhibited jointly by Maryland companies ATR Solartech and NEXUS EnergyHomes at the Maryland Clean Energy Summit, which opens October 27 in Baltimore. These highly efficient ground-mounted units offer the homeowner a low cost and more flexible option for adding solar power to assist in meeting their home energy needs.

One Suntracker will sit next to the ATR and NEXUS booths (numbers 51 and 52) at the Baltimore Hilton-Inner Harbor exposition and another unit placed just outside the hotel will be actively tracking the sun and producing power. Both units have a pair of 235 watt panels (470 total) and incorporate an advanced GPS controller to track the sun and maximize the daily energy production. The devices, which are designed and manufactured in Maryland by ATR, are being produced with the assistance of a Maryland Energy Administration grant using federal stimulus funds. ATR is based in Columbia.

NEXUS EnergyHomes, which builds net-zero energy homes and is headquartered in Stevensville, recently became a Suntracker distributor. “We’re excited to be exhibiting our Suntracker here at the Clean Energy Summit with our new partner, NEXUS EnergyHomes,” said Dr. Jackson Yang, ATR’s CEO. “These compact and highly efficient devices will help homeowners and businesses replace fossil-fuel-based grid power with their own clean, renewable energy from the sun,” Yang said. “Every home owner has a desire to reduce energy costs. Partnering with ATR to distribute the Suntracker allows NEXUS EnergyHomes the ability to bring energy efficiency to home owners that are otherwise unable to retrofit their homes to meet net-zero standards.” said Ann Ashley, Nexus’ Sr. Vice President.



About NEXUS EnergyHomes

The NEXUS EnergyHome provides every home-buyer with the opportunity to own a home that meets NetZero Standards —a home that offers the ability be “off the grid” and produce as much energy as it consumes. After years of research and testing with the NAHB, and through NEXUS EnergyHomes’ complex construction process using proprietary designs, innovative materials, and the very best of modern technologies, NEXUS EnergyHomes is making a Revolutionary Change to the way homes are constructed in America. Simply put, NEXUS EnergyHomes is the first company to make these technologies work in perfect harmony in a single family home, and at a rate no different than other homes currently on the market.

NEXUS EnergyHomes builds custom homes throughout the Mid-Atlantic, and currently offers GeoSolar Communities in Frederick, MD, Three Creeks in Centreville, MD and Wisp at Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland. Other community initiatives in negotiations include, Millville, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, and Northern VA. To learn more about our homes, please visit our website, www.nexusenergyhomes.com.


About ATR

Advanced Technology & Research Corp. (ATR) is a Maryland-based engineering firm with a 38-year history of excellence in military systems, robotics and automation equipment. Over the past three years, the company has developed a suite of solar power systems for small-scale commercial and residential applications. All ATR Solartech systems feature state-of-the-art sun-tracking technology for enhanced energy production from photovoltaic panels, mounts designed for vertical structures, small footprints and strong aesthetics. Produced in Maryland, ATR Solartech products include the ground and roof-mounted systems for clean energy production being exhibited at the Summit, distributed solar power generation systems for lighting and utility poles, solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations and the tracking solar components of hybrid wind-solar systems. For more information, please visit http://www.atrsolartech.com.

NEXUS wins award and is nominated for Builder of the Year!

NEXUS EnergyHomes will receive an EnergyValue Housing Award from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center for being one of 17 of the nation's most energy-conscious builders and remodelers. Additionally NEXUS has been nominated for the 2012 Builder of the Year Award in the category of “New Homes” to be revealed in February 2012 at the 17th Annual EnergyValue Housing Awards during the International Builders Show.

September 2011 NEXUS News

North Pointe

Since the North Point model home opened, sales and lot deposits have scaled at unprecedented rates – far greater than originally predicted. In one day, on September 10, during Frederick’s annual festival, In the Streets, Nexus received 5 lot holds! A continuation of this “One Home a Week Sale’s Pace” will Sell-Out all available Nexus EnergyHomes at North Pointe in Frederick, MD before the end of next year. Within slightly over 3 months, that equates to a total of 15 lots on hold and/or under contract. If you think a first time homebuyer tax credit is good, on the first home that closed, these buyers are scheduled to receive $15,909 in Federal Tax Credits and $3750 in State Grant monies! That means they should get $19,659 back just for buying a NEXUS EnergyHome, and little to no utility bill!! It is likely you will not find any other home builder in America that is currently matching this value from a home nor match our sales velocity.

The profile of the North Pointe home buyer is varying. The profiles range from a Professor and Nurse, Downsizers from Montgomery County, First Time Home Buyers, Middle-Aged Couples and a Newspaper Publisher from New Hampshire. The only theme that seems to exist amongst these home-buyers is their desire for practicality and deletion of utility costs. The growth rate at North Pointe is unparalleled for these times, and far exceeds that of other builders.

Three Creeks

The buyers of the first home at Three Creeks, the Wichard family, are moving from Texas to Maryland to work at Fort Meade. We have the foundation and plumbing ready, and expect the SIPS (Structurally Insulated Panels) to arrive and be up in two weeks. They are very excited to live in a Nexus home and are pleased with the progress. We thank the Queenstown Bank of Maryland for extending, in these difficult lending times, the full construction loan for this Grayson/Corsica type house.

Nexus Capital, LLC

As virtually every business person knows, obtaining constructions loans for residential building companies, or even small business loans, has become a time consuming and often futile exercise. As most bankers will tell you, loan applicants need not apply so long as regulators continue to put unrelenting pressure on those institutions to dispose of or charge off existing real estate loans. It is difficult during these regulatory times to convince a bank to lend when they are being told to reduce their portfolio of real estate loans.

Because this situation clearly impacts Nexus’s ability to “scale up” to meet buyer/market demand, a demand that has been created and is increasing rapidly even in the current housing recessionary period, Nexus’s officers have decided to innovate a financial product. This Product, Nexus Capital, represents a construction loan solution for the EnergyHome market and an opportunity for our shareholders, friends and family to obtain low risk, fixed returns on their money similar to financial instruments such as Certificates of Deposit (CD’s) or Money Market Accounts. The major difference is the amount of the return! Without substantial overhead, carrying costs or debt, and controlled investment standards, Nexus Capital is structured to return 6% interest on its certificates or Units of deposit.

Compared to a bank’s . 3% or .4% returns on savings accounts or CD’s, Nexus Capital Units are an investment that benefits EnergyHome growth and flexibility, while providing outperforming returns to its Unit Owners. Should anyone be interested in learning more about Nexus Capital, LLC, please feel free to contact us.

Cross-Marketing Agreement

An agreement has been drafted, which will benefit both land owners and Nexus EnergyHomes, allowing for joint marketing initiatives to sell our products. Nexus and our partner land owners will work together by allowing Nexus to market “to be built” Nexus EnergyHomes on their lots. Nexus and its sub-agents and/or representatives will be permitted to offer and display marketing material including, but not limited to MLS/internet listings, brochures and/or other documents and plans to prospective home buyers. By way of the cross-marketing agreement, the Listing Brokers agree to allow Nexus and our sub-agents and/or representatives to market “to be built” Nexus EnergyHomes on the lots, even though the marketing materials may be through another real estate broker who is marketing for Nexus. This is a great example of Nexus teamwork and the types of people or organizations we select as partners.

Future Projects

In addition to our array of projects already in the pipeline, we are currently negotiating the potential to partner at Vint Hill in Fauquier County, Virginia (www.vinthill.com). Moving forward, Nexus would enter in the role of residential building partner, in a much larger planned “mixed-use” community, akin to a small town that will include; a shopping village, winery, theatre, farmer’s market and deli, amongst many other things.

In Summary

As we close in on the last quarter of 2011, Nexus is proud to announce; the extraordinary sales achievements reached in Frederick, the founding of the innovative Nexus Capital, LLC, a Financial Instrument, which allows us to fund our own expanding construction needs, while offering outstanding returns to the funds contributors. And we are certainly pleased to highlight the addition of another fantastic community in which to set Nexus roots.

Washington Post - In Frederick, aiming to build ‘green homes’ that don’t break the bank

By Christine MacDonald, Published: August 12

Anyone paying attention to the “green building” market knows that most of the eco-friendly abodes that have proliferated across the country in recent years have been million-dollar trophy homes.

But the developers of the new North Pointe neighborhood in Frederick are taking things in the other direction: They’re building energy-efficient townhouses and duplexes geared toward middle-class buyers. The 55 homes start in the mid-$200,000s, but will offer the kind of “green bling” usually found in more upscale models: solar panels, geothermal heating and a sophisticated computer system to help manage energy usage.

Green homes come in many varieties. Some simply have ecofriendly features, such as recycled flooring or low-flush toilets. Others are tightly sealed boxes that the aim to conserve energy. All these types of homes have popped up throughout the Washington region. In the District, an ambitious $700 million project under construction at the site of the city’s former convention center plans to offer a mix of offices, shops and homes — including green roofs on all the residential buildings. In Bethesda, there’s a super-insulated “passive house” built to a German green home standard, which claims to require only 10 percent of the energy it takes to heat and cool a conventionally built house. Add to that the Frederick development, which also claims energy-efficiency feats.

Builders have been trying to corner the green market for years, and green homes have gained some traction in the past decade. The market in residential green building increased from $7 billion in 2005 to between $12 billion and $17 billion last year, according to McGraw Hill Construction’s most recent Green Outlook report. Yet, these types of homes still remain far from mainstream, and many who track the industry are still waiting for a big break.

“Everyone says that once the industry emerges (from the current housing crisis), housing will be reinvented and there will be no other way but green,” said Rick Schwolsky, editor-in-chief of the construction industry magazine EcoHome.

North Pointe, which stretches across a three-block expanse of Frederick’s historic district, aims to be one of the first “net zero” communities in this region, meaning its homes are designed to produce as much electricity as they consume.

For starters, the homes will be built with a tight envelope (walls, roof and basement), which should reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool them. The walls are made of structural insulated panels, essentially two pieces of super-strong recycled wood filled with nearly seven inches of insulation. A foam that expands to 70 times its size is sprayed on the rafters and bandboards, for more sealing and insulation.

Each home has roughly 20 solar panels, mostly on the rooftops, that absorb energy from the sun and convert it to electricity. During the day, when a family is at work or school, the panels generally produce more energy than the home needs. That energy is fed into the electric company’s power grid, and a meter on the home tracks the transfer. At night, the energy is credited back to the household, said Mike Murphy, executive vice president at Nexus EnergyHomes, which developed North Pointe.

“You will be using the credit from the energy you put on the grid earlier in the day,” said Murphy, a former project manager at Toll Brothers, one of the nation’s largest home builders. “So essentially, you’re not paying for the energy you’re using in the evening. It’s a give and take with the energy all year long. At the end of a 12-month period, the give and take equals zero in terms of the net cost of the energy.”

Hence the term “net zero.”

Other potential savings: Home buyers can recoup part of the cost of the solar and geothermal systems by applying for state and federal tax credits. For instance, the development’s 2,700-square-foot model home is eligible for $17,000 in rebates, said Michael Muren, the community’s sales manager.

Since the community’s model home opened in June, another home has been built. Seven buyers have put down deposits, Muren said. Five are under contract and will break ground soon. If sales continue at the same rate, construction of all 55 units could be complete within about 18 months, he said.

But the success of any green home or commercial building ultimately hinges on the upfront calculations about the habits and needs of the people who use them.

In the commercial setting, the nation’s leading green building certification program — known as LEED — has been dogged by allegations that some buildings it approved have failed to deliver the projected energy savings. In New York, four design and construction professionals made similar claims in a lawsuit filed against the group that administers the certification program.

Brian Uher, co-owner of Amicus Consulting Services, a Kensington firm that specializes in green building, said builders are only estimating a structure’s future energy usage. The actual usage could be off by 10 to 20 percent. Skilled workmanship and correct installation are also key, he said.

“There’s no magic here,” Uher said. “It’s all about quality control.”

At North Pointe, the developers used computer software to estimate how much energy each house would require, right down to the number of loads of laundry that a typical family washes in a month to the number of lights they switch on — or forget to switch off. The idea was to try and gauge how much energy a family uses and how much solar energy would be needed to offset that.

To encourage homeowners to be more mindful of their energy usage, each North Pointe home comes with its own private Web site, behind a firewall, that owners can use to track how much energy they use — “like a miles-per-gallon meter for your house,” said John Spears, an investor in Nexus who helped develop the system. From a smartphone or laptop, homeowners can even turn off the lights or sprinklers when they’re away.

But “if they install 15 plasma TVs or add a beauty salon in the basement, I can’t control that,” Murphy said.

North Pointe is part of a broader effort to revitalize the area. Frederick’s housing authority, which owns the land on which the homes will be built, agreed to defer payment for the land as each sale is finalized, which helped defray costs and keep asking prices down, Murphy said. It didn’t hurt that the land was previously developed — with roads, sidewalks and lights in place — so that construction of the homes could begin immediately.

On top of all that, Nexus adjusted its profit margins to make the numbers work and leaned on its subcontractors to do the same, Murphy said. Economies of scale worked in the company’s favor. Building communities, as opposed to just one home, helps tighten up the numbers, he said. Nexus plans to build hundreds of net zero homes in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Another reason the community’s prices are relatively low, Murphy said: “Solar costs about half of what it did a few years ago.”


Christine MacDonald is a freelance writer for the Washington post.

Grasonville has first Carbon-Neutral Community

Published: Thursday, July 7, 2011 9:48 AM CDT

STEVENSVILLE Homeowners at Osprey Pointe in Grasonville can manage energy usage from their family room television, place of business or their winter retreat in Florida, according to Mike Murphy, construction division president for Nexus EnergyHomes (NEH).
Nexus Vision, a patented interactive home control software with remote capabilities, is just one of the futuristic features in the project touted as both the nation's first carbon-neutral waterfront community and the East Coast's first geosolar community.

Whatever you call it, county officials and citizens are excited about the new community designed to generate as much energy as it consumes, its ancillary technology and its possible impact on future new construction.
During an open-house at NEH's new headquarters in Stevensville on June 2, County Commissioner David Dunmyer presented the group with a commendation on behalf of the county, saying he is especially excited as an environmentalist.

NEH VP Mike Murren said, "Let's make Queen Anne's County proud," before turning the program over to Murphy.

Located at Pierson Road and state Route 18 in Grasonville, Osprey Pointe is the vision of Queen Anne's County developer Jody Schulz of Shore Land Ventures LLC, in partnership with NEH.

Each of the 12 single-family homes and two duplexes that start at $745,000 will include all the high-end details expected of a luxury waterfront home, such as granite counters, wood floors, 9-foot ceilings, crown molding, soaking tubs and more.

Add geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaic solar panels, super insulated building shells and environmentally conscious green building materials, and the result is a very comfortable and environmentally responsible lifestyle.

At the open house, Murphy unveiled the prototype for Nexus Vision, a systems control software that allows the homeowner to view energy consumption by room, control temperature and alarms, and even unlock the front door from anywhere.

"The system reads the home breaker by breaker, allowing you to view and adjust the way you are living," Murphy said, adding that the remote locking feature could be handy when homeowners are unavailable to assist a family member who had lost a key.

The system is the perfect accessory to the homes Murphy described as being "built different."

Traditional builders say a house should breathe, Murphy said. While this might sound like a good idea, the result is a structure at nature's whim [-] hot in the summer, cold in the winter and subject to air pollution, he said.

"The house has to be tight as possible … the system should create the breath," Murphy said.

He said a full-house HEPA-filtration system creates the breath in Nexus homes, producing clean air every 48 minutes.

Structural insulated panels (SIP), made of rigid Styrofoam sandwiched between boards, provide twice the insulation of a traditional foundation. Foam that expands by 700 percent is installed at the rafters and stops energy loss in the attic. These materials create a home that is tighter, cleaner, quieter and stronger than traditional construction by an average of about 50 percent, Murphy said.

Once the home is air-tight, geothermal heat pumps move the earth's temperature through a well and into the home.

Solar panels that produce enough energy for the systems come standard in the homes, while extra panels to produce energy for accessories and entertainment systems are optional.

Murphy said they will work with buyers to calculate additional energy requirements if desired.

"The home itself is net zero. True net zero (consumption) is an option," Murphy said.

The same technology available at Osprey Pointe was recently applied to three homes in Centreville's Three Creeks, also a Shore Land Venture development.

Three Creeks was in its last phase with three lots unsold for quite some time, according to Schulz. Providing options for green technology has made all the difference in getting the final lots sold, he said.

Michael and Jeannie Whichard of Colorado signed a contract for an NEH home at Three Creeks in early June.

Their $400,000, 2,700-square-foot home on one acre will have all the green technology featured at Osprey Pointe, minus the waterfront location, community dock and pool, and possibly some of the higher-end details.

The Whichards have opted for true net zero energy consumption and hope to someday be completely off the grid. Because the system generates but does not store energy, they will need a battery or non-solar powered technology to operate after the sun goes down if they want to be off the grid, or independent of energy companies.

Michael Whichard is returning to a position with the Armed Forces News Command at Fort Meade and is currently living in Arlington, Va. He used every spare moment since moving from Colorado, to look for a commutable property with environmental aspects and land at an affordable price, he said.

"Finding land and convenience at a decent price is the hardest thing to do," Whichard said.

For more information on the Osprey Pointe Development or Nexus EnergyHomes, go to www.nexusenergyhomes.com or contact realtor David Azar of Coldwell Banker Waterman Realty 443-618-295

Nexus July Newsletter

Nexus EnergyHomes

Nexus EnergyHomes announces internal “Thrift” Program to fund current and future Construction Loan demand.
We greatly appreciate the Queenstown Bank on the Eastern Shore for providing Construction financing to our contracted sales on the Western Shore as we review the challenges in funding demand for our unprecedented, North Pointe, GeoSolar Community, Sales in Frederick, MD.
With Banks offering as low as 0.2% interest on deposit accounts under $100,000.00, and only 0.3% interest on deposit accounts over $100,000.00, Nexus EnergyHomes believes a self-funding program which returns an annualized 6% ROI over the typical four month construction period of a Nexus Net Zero Energy Home, is a far more creative, inspiring and Rewarding approach to the Funding need.

Emerald Standard

All Nexus homes are constructed to qualify for, and gain certification with, the Research Center at the National Association of Home Builder’s (“NAHB”) at the highest “Emerald” acceptance level. The Emerald status is a certification level that ensures a home’s balance between energy production and consumption and that it meets, or exceeds, NAHB’s highest standards.

North Pointe

Since the North Point model home opened, sales have skyrocketed. We are seeing lot holds and contracts spill in at rates that challenge even those of the previous housing boom. We currently have 6 lot holds, 2 complete contracts and 2 additional contracts under final negotiation as we go to press. The Model Home consistently draws interested foot traffic, while Mike Muren and his capable realty team, who are well versed in the merits of this down-town urban net-zero community, keep up with the current pace.

Deep Creek Lake at Wisp

As a culmination of our efforts to consolidate a Net Zero Community across the Maryland boarder into western PA, Nexus recently entered into an agreement at Deep Creek Lake/Wisp Resort, in Garrett County, the heart of the Allegheny Mountains. Known for its abundant four-season recreational activities, most of which center on Deep Creek Lake, the nearby rivers, forests and Wisp Resort, Nexus EnergyHomes will soon be part of one of the few true “four seasons” resorts in the North East region.

With two hundred available lots, Nexus EnergyHomes’ buyers can select either durable fiber cement, (50 year warranty and looks like wood), or solid wood, tongue-and-groove, wall components provided by Mountaineer Log and Siding Company for a traditional log cabin look. In addition, a of variety floor plans are available to buyers. The Nexus EnergyHomes sales office, and design showroom, will be hosted within the Mountaineer Log and Siding Company showroom, and ATR (Advanced Technology Research) will be installing the “Sunflower” (pole mount solar panels that rotate with the sun for maximum efficiency) in the front of the office.

Marketing

Nexus EnergyHomes was recently approached by a television show entitled, “The Savvy Homebuyer”. The episode in which Nexus would be featured is, “Dream Smart”, a green home edition. Following three in-depth preproduction meetings and interviews we are pleased to announce that Nexus EnergyHomes has been awarded placement on an upcoming episode. Filming is scheduled to begin as soon as mid-August and the episode is slated to air in September. The show will be on CBS and FOX in the Washington DC market. We retain residual rights for future rebroadcasting and a highly discounted rate for any future television spots.
The “Nexus EnergyHomes Deep Creek Lake at Wisp” web site is in final production and will be up and running before the end of July.
The main Nexus EnergyHomes website is under construction for increased user friendliness. Search Engine Optimization has been intensified for greater online visibility.

The flash banner advertising on Comcast/Xfinity Online drove over 245,365 impressions in the Washington, DC, Annapolis, Baltimore and Frederick, MD markets. The click through rate, which drove traffic to the Nexus EnergyHomes site, exceeded the national rate by 2% greater than average.

Nexus EnergyHomes’ full page advertisement in the Maryland Life Magazine “green edition”, opposite the Maryland Clean Energy Summit page has gone to print, while a half page version is set to run in the “What’s Up Eastern Shore” and “What’s Up Annapolis” magazines during August, September and October.

WRNR 103.1, the number one radio station in the region, reaching the Eastern Washington, DC, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot County market, has put together two spots for Eco Radio Sponsorship. One is centered on Geothermal and the other Solar. They have produced two following, content specific, radio ads to air that will complement their Eco segments.

To complement their Eco Segments, WRNR has produced two content specific radio ads following our guidelines

Future Projects

Nexus EnergyHomes continues to work with a NJ Land Developer to build out his 220 Home, 55+ Active Adult Development as a Nexus Net-Zero Energy “Geo-Solar Community” in Millville, NJ, located midway between Philadelphia and Atlantic City. The site is adjacent to the Land Owner’s proposed 100 acre Solar Farm, and the partnership is studying the feasibility of establishing a complete SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) Manufacturing Plant within Millville Township.

In downtown Philadelphia, Nexus EnergyHomes has entered into several contractual negotiations for multiple joint ventures to build-out highly rated downtown sites.
Near Frederick, Maryland, Nexus EnergyHomes is developing five, one acre Net Zero Homes with Nexus Investor, Ted McCutcheon, on Oakdale Acres in Middletown, MD.

Recently, the Nexus Company was approached by a Pentagon official, requesting a tour of our Model Home in Frederick, and get a detailed overview as to how our homes are constructed, and learn how we may be able to benefit U.S. Army housing initiatives. Our initial meeting left both sides encouraged that we may be able to benefit one another for this large scale project. We will be aggressively continuing communications regarding this initiative.

In Summary

As we close out this a 2nd quarter of dynamic achievements, we look forward to solidifying a Sales pace across four or five specific Nexus EnergyHomes’ Geo-Solar, Net Zero Communities in the 3rd quarter, that will bring national recognition to the long term Nexus EnergyHomes Vision.

City of Frederick Press Release

New "Net Zero" Energy Home Opens in North Pointe Community City Invest in a Nexus Energy Home

Frederick, MD -- On Friday June 17th, The City of Frederick in partnership with The Housing Authority, Nexus Energy Homes and Maryland Clean Energy Center opened the first "net zero" energy home in the North Point Community located on North Bentz Street.

Mayor Randy McClement along with Kevin Lollar, Project Manager Frederick Housing Authority; Paul Zanecki, Nexus Energy Homes President, Kathy Magruder, Director of the Maryland Clean Energy Center, and Senator Ron Young, joined together today to celebrate the grand opening and tour of the North Pointe Nexus energy efficient home.

Mayor Randy McClement stated that, "energy conservation and efficiency at all levels in our community will help us build a stronger more sustainable City. That is something we all care about."

The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development coordinated the investment of a $70,000 repayable loan in the renewable energy components of the new "net zero energy home" using the funds provided by Maryland Clean Energy Center. Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development stated that he was pleased that his department was able to participate in the successful HOPE VI grant application nearly a decade ago and now with the construction of such a terrific project.

The City of Frederick has been a supporter of the North Pointe project from the onset of the Hope VI Project. The Hope VI Project is designed to redevelop blighted housing projects and resulted in contributing to the revitalization of the North End of Downtown Frederick. The City contributed land and over $4 million towards the Bernard Brown Community Center which is now the focal point for the "new north end" and houses organizations and companies like Moxie Café, CALM, NAACP and many others.

According to Paul Zanecki, CEO of NEXUS Energy Homes, "Nexus is very grateful to The City of Frederick for presenting us with the opportunity to not only fulfill, but expand on the goals for the new North End. With the construction of this renewable energy, carbon-neutral GeoSolar Community, we mutually exemplify the model that combining both public and private resources works for the greater benefit of all our citizens."

Green Home Development Opens in Frederick

55 zero-energy houses will inhabit area that once was location of 146 public housing units

by Tripp laino, Staff Writer

Dozens of Frederick residents and city officials attended the grand opening for Nexus Energy Homes new zero-energy housing on Friday. The North Pointe community is located at the intersection of Bentz and Lord Nickens Streets.

People searching for a way to save on utility bills won’t have to look far in Frederick, now that the first green home development is open for business.
Located along Bentz Street, the North Pointe development features 55 zero-energy homes built by Nexus Energy Homes. The houses were showcased Friday at a ceremony with dozens of residents, city and state officials present.

Kevin Lollar, the director of development for the Housing Authority of the city of Frederick, called the new home’s design, “the house of the future.”

“This site, HOPE VI, is about vision,” he said. It’s about doing something different with housing. … If we don’t reduce our carbon footprint, our carbon footprint is going to reduce us.”

“We want to change the paradigm of what a home is and the way it performs,” he said.

“…Anyone would want to live here. It’s a home that’s simply superior [to] anything else on the market.”

Four of the homes have been sold already. Barbara Dillon, who attended the grand opening, is one of the new owners, and said she currently lives in Montgomery County with her husband, Joseph. She said they were “empty nesters” looking to relocate, but didn’t have green energy in mind until discovering the development. “We never would have looked at a townhouse if not for the green energy,” she said. “…We didn’t even know it existed, and found it looking at the housing available.”

The homes have a myriad of environmentally friendly features, including resource conservation, such as power and water, and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.

Part of the funding for the homes came via a $70,000 grant from the Maryland Clean Energy Center. The program was one of 10 elected by the center to receive funding assistance supplied by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Maryland Energy Administration.

The grant was called a "pass through" grant by Richard Griffin, Frederick's director of economic development, during a public meeting March 17. In effect, the city receives a $70,000 grant which it then gives to Nexus Energy for constructing the homes. After the homes are sold, the company repays the grant to the Maryland Clean Energy Center by setting aside a portion of each home sold, and the grant money is given to start another green project.

According to a press release announcing the grant, the homes have solar and geothermal power generation, smart operating systems and energy efficient materials to generate as much or more energy than the home consumes, creating a "net-zero" demand on local energy supplies. In the case of excess energy, the power is sold back to the utility company.

Paul Zanecki, president of Nexus Energy Homes, based in Stevensville, praised the efforts of the city in bringing grant money to the group, and said the new homes would change the way people thought about green energy homes.

The geothermal system uses a closed loop that passes a refrigerant into the ground, where the temperature is a constant 57 degrees. It is then brought through the system into the house, where it is used to raise or lower the room temperature.
Green homes cost more to build, but the price of the Nexus homes are on par with average home prices in Frederick city according to Zanecki. A flyer distributed at the grand opening listed the home’s starting price at $230,000 after tax credits and energy savings. Zanecki said the homes are within five to seven percent of their traditionally built counterparts, but that some of that cost can be made up by tax credits.

City of Frederick Welcomes First Green Neighborhood

WHAG-TV
updated 6/17/2011 7:45:42 PM ET 2011-06-17T23:45:42

FREDERICK, MD - Barbara Dillon will soon be a Frederick resident and moving into the home she's been waiting for with a money saving bonus.

"We were looking around downtown because we wanted a downtown lifestyle and saw the energy efficient, the net zero aspect of it and got in touch with our realtor," explained Dillon who is currently a Montgomery County resident.

Dillon's home will be part of a brand new "green neighborhood," the first of it's kind to come to the City of Frederick.

"We take advantage of geothermal heating and cooling, we have total recovery ventilation to equalize pressure and to also take care of the humidity levels of the home and keep those at a perfect level," said Mike Murphy, the president of construction for Nexus EnergyHomes, "We have HEPA filtration."

The neighborhood is part of the Hope VI project on North Bentz Street and it's energy tax credits have already attracted eager buyers.

Despite what many people say is a poor economy, four of the 55 lots have already sold.

"You have a direct 30% tax credit of the builders cost of the geothermal systems, that depending on the home here will be between $13,000 and $17,000 that the home-buyer gets back after purchase," explained Mike Muren of Mackintosh Realtors, "We're doing some custom single family and some of those home buyers are receiving as much as $30,000 to $35,000."

Tax credits or not, many people in Frederick see the homes as a gateway to the future.

"Not only are we saving the environment, but we are also putting ourselves in the leading role to get off oil," explained Mike Sare, a Frederick resident.

The green neighborhood ranks among the top 50 homes in the country for it's energy efficiency.

The model home is now open on 620 North Bentz Street in downtown Frederick. Read more at http://your4state.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=192347

Net-Zero Energy House Seen as Model for the Future

By Ed Waters Jr.


Photo by Bill Green


The model home of the new "net-zero" project that are part of the Hope VI program North Pointe off North Bentz Street.



A net-zero community in Frederick should be a model for the nation, said several speakers on Friday at the opening of North Pointe in Downtown Frederick.
Part of the Hope VI program, North Pointe off North Bentz Street will contain 55 dwellings, all designed to use little if any energy.

"It is all about vision," said Kevin Lollar, director of development for the Housing Authority of Frederick.

Lollar said state Sen. Ron Young had brought Paul Zanecki, CEO of Nexus EnergyHomes, to the Housing Authority Office to talk about a potential net-zero community in the city. Young said he had initially envisioned the project at the east end of the city, where development is planned.

"That wasn't ready," Young said of the area around the relatively new section of South East Street. Young said he would still like to see that area become self-sustaining when built up.

But the area off North Bentz Street, which formerly housed low-income housing, was seen as the perfect site for the new community.

Elected officials, builders and interested buyers toured the model house at 620 N. Bentz St. The 2,750-square-foot house has insulation and a structure that make the building quiet, efficient and well-constructed. Although listed for nearly $278,000, the house would sell for $264,900 with energy tax credits and incentives. Four buyers have already put down deposits on future houses.

The house uses solar panels that blend into the roof, geothermal heating and cooling, and a high-tech system that allows control of climate and security using an iPhone or laptop.

Zanecki said the air in the house is exchanged every 48 minutes to keep it clean from pollutants and other potential effects on health.

Over the years, people have built net-zero energy homes, but they were "spaceship" houses, Zanecki said. "They were built for an individual. What I had the vision of was for homes affordable to the general consumer."

Financing was a major hurdle, Zanecki said. The project is funded primarily through investors, though at a brief ceremony Friday morning the project was presented a check for $70,000 from the Maryland Clean Energy Commission.

Donald Briggs, an appraiser and member of the county's Sustainability Committee, appraised the house. He said besides the durability of construction, he included the net savings in energy in adjusting the affordability of the house.

Zanecki said his company worked with the National Association of Home Builders, following the organization's green standards guidelines. The model house, as will all of the homes, will meet Emerald Standards for energy, the highest level of efficiency, based on the association's research center criteria.

"We are changing the dynamics of what a house is, and we can visualize the streetscape of the future," Zanecki said.