BASF Near-Zero Energy Home in Paterson, N.J.

 

On the surface, the BASF Near-Zero Energy Home in Paterson, N.J., is a demonstration home for innovative BASF technologies promoting high-performance, energy efficiency and ecological benefits in new housing. But it is much more than that too.

 

The BASF Near-Zero Energy Home-Paterson, N.J., is the living embodiment of the BASF philosophy of Better Home, Better Planet, and the first tangible step towards making this important initiative a success in and for communities across the country and around the world.

 

The project incorporates Zero-Energy Housing (ZEH) concepts from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the building science principles of PATH/Build America expert, Steve Winter, AIA.

 

The BASF Near-Zero Energy Home-Paterson, N.J., was been selected by the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) pilot testing for the recently launched Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Homes (LEED-H) rating system, under which it achieved the Platinum level. The home achieved Energy Star certification and, with the inclusion of solar panels, supports New Jersey's Solar Initiative Program.

 

How does it achieve such high performance? With careful design and materials that combine to create three highly-functional and interacting systems within the house: the building envelope, mechanical (HVAC) and solar power.

 

By bringing together the best building practices, materials and technology, the BASF Near-Zero Energy Home-Paterson, N.J., serves to show that chemistry can build a house that is swifter to build, affordable to own, fortified against natural disasters and energy-and ecologically-efficient.

 

Why Paterson, New Jersey?

The BASF Near-Zero Energy Home-Paterson, N.J., will serve as a proposed template for the City of Paterson's ongoing project to build 3,000 affordable housing units. Paterson is one of New Jersey's largest and most economically challenged cities. Local home construction builders and unskilled labor forces will be encouraged to participate in the project to learn about and implement new energy saving construction techniques into other projects within the region.

 

Philanthropy

The BASF Near-Zero Energy Home-Paterson, N.J., is also a philanthropic exercise. After the construction and demonstration phases of the project are completed, the home will be donated to St. Michael's Housing Corporation, a local, non-profit charitable organization. St. Michael's Housing Corporation will then turn over the home for Richard Sosa, a quadriplegic boy, and his family to occupy.

 

BASF and St. Michael's Housing Corporation are fulfilling the Sosa family's desperate need for a permanent home equipped to handle Richard's medical condition. The Sosa family has moved into the Near-Zero Energy Home! While we will be following up with them to learn more about their experiences, we ask that you please respect their privacy. Interested parties should refrain from visiting the home or contacting the family directly.

 

It Takes a Community to Build a Better Home

With every action there is a reaction. Nowhere is this adage more tangible than in the building industry. From local, state, national and international communities alike, a united call to action for green, energy-conservation building practices is growing stronger and stronger every day.

 

The BASF Near-Zero Energy Home-Paterson, N.J., is the result of the actions of a community of supporters, from materials manufacturers to environmental design consultants, from government programs to the media.

 

To learn more about the community building better homes for a better planet, click here.