Artist's concrete house featured in national magazine

MILFORD — The super energy efficient concrete home of Milford poet and artist, Norma Bernstock is currently featured in the January 2009 issue of the national publication, Concrete Homes (www.concretehomesmagazine.com). According to Michael Adsit of Lattimore Construction of Milford, the Bernstock house, completed in the fall of 2006, is constructed with ICF’s (Insulating Concrete Forms). The house is about 2,600 square feet on two floors and is heated with a 93-percent efficient gas boiler, hydro-coil system. Because the concrete house envelope is virtually air-tight, an air-to-air heat exchanger is used to provide fresh air ventilation. Bernstock and Lattimore Construction have tracked the energy use on the house for two complete winters. The house has used approximately 450 gallons of LP gas each year for heating and hot water, about 50% to 65% less than a comparable wood framed house. Lattimore Construction also utilized a number of “Green” features in the Bernstock house. All of the wood trim is from a local sawmill. The large wood beams and other trim is recycled from a demolished factory. The driveway surface utilizes recycled asphalt millings. Lattimore Construction designed and is currently building another ICF concrete home in Lackawaxen, Pa. This log-sided house will also utilize SIPS (Super Insulated Panels) on the upper floor, a water source heat pump, a high efficient wood fireplace and solar electric cells. “It is the owner’s and our goal to build an affordable near zero energy use home,” said Adsit.