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Sturbridge Construction, Inc. • Grayslake, Illinois

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About the Builder - Sturbridge Construction

Dave Richmond, one of the principles of Sturbridge Construction, Inc., in Chicago, and a long standing member of EEBA, has been names to the organization’s Board of Directors. Dave brings extensive experience from both the commercial and residential building industries to his new position and success story. Sturbridge Construction, Inc.’s Prairie Crossing is the nation’s first conservative community. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, Prairie Crossing incorporates the Building America principles to assure durability, safety, air quality and of course energy efficiency. Dave has also been involved with Habitat for Humanity and introduced Building America to the group. Understanding that the successful partnership between homeowner and home comes from understanding how the building performs, Dave contributes a column to the prairie Crossing newsletter. His articles include tips for maintaining an energy efficient home over the long term. Not only is the newsletter column a good marketing idea, its neighborly thing to do. You see, Dave will soon become a resident of prairie Crossing. Now that’s ownership of your beliefs.

Design Philosophy and Application

The optimum approach for energy efficient, safe, comfortable homes is to construct a tight building envelope and provide controlled mechanical ventilation. This is the approach used in the homes at Prairie Crossing.

Prairie Crossing Home Features

Mechanical System Characteristics

• Single furnace unit located in the building envelope (basement).
• 90% efficiency rating, closed (sealed) combustion furnace. 
• All ductwork located within the building envelope 
• Power-vented gas water heater

System Improvements 

• All ductwork located in conditioned space 
• Controlled supply ventilation 
• Exterior air-flow retarder system (sheathing, taped) 
• Interior air-flow retarder system (gysum, glued) 
• High performance glazing 

Envelope Characteristics 

• Area: 3076 sq. ft. 
• Basement: R-13 full height fiberglass batt insulation 
• Walls: 2x6 with R-19 batts, R-7 insulating sheathing and an interior air flow retarder system
• Ceiling/Roof: Truss with R-38 blown and batt insulation with vented assembly 
• Windows: Low-E, double glazed, argon filled 
• Total leakage: Less than 2.5 square inches per 100 square feet of building envelope area at 10 pascals

Measured Leakage Characteristics:

• Total envelope ACH at 50 Pa = 2.2 
• Duct system leakage to outside = 0