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.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
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.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, August 12, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
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
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
Friday, July 1, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
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."
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."
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