Housing Supports Model Home That Demonstrates How to Bring Energy Efficient Technologies to Older Neighborhoods

First passive house in Prince George’s County, located at 5424 Addison Road.

The Fairmount Heights house shows how homeowners can save 90 percent on heating and cooling costs

Fairmount Heights, MD – A three bedroom home in this Prince George’s County neighborhood is the latest word in energy efficiency.

Using funds from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Legacy Program, the so-called “passive house” was built as a prototype to create more affordable and energy-efficient houses for low-income homeowners in the community.

“It is gratifying to see how our Community Legacy program is working to stimulate sustainable neighborhoods with such rich history and cultural dynamics, like Fairmount Heights,” said Secretary Kenneth C. Holt. “The construction of the passive house brings energy-efficiency technologies to low-income households and helps with the overall reduction of their housing and utility costs.”

According to the Passive House Institute US, a passive house incorporates energy-efficient standards designed to attain energy-efficiency through continuous insulation, an airtight building envelope, high-performance windows, a balanced heat and moisture recovery system and an orientation that manages solar gain to exploit the sun’s energy for heating purposes. Passive houses use less energy and save homeowners up to 90 percent on heating and cooling costs.

The Community Legacy Program is a state funded program that provides local governments and community development organizations with financial assistance for projects aimed at strengthening communities through activities such as housing development, commercial revitalization, business retention and attraction.

Construction of Fairmount Heights house in Prince George’s County (Photo Credit: Peabody Architects).

Additional financing for the project came from the Housing Initiatives Partnerships, Peabody Architects and the Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development. The construction phases of the project were completed by O’Neill Development and Beracah Homes. More information on the Community Legacy program and other neighborhood revitalization programs can be found at  http://dhcd.maryland.gov/Communities/Pages/default.aspx.