REDESIGNING HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Module Homes being outfitted with Unico Twist-Fit System™
MODULE Black Street Development
Module’s Black Street Development is about bringing well-designed, contemporary homes to the urban core of Pittsburgh, and activating vacant parcels where homes have been absent for decades. The development features three residential homes (totaling four units), all which are designed to meet the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Standards. For MODULE, meeting the standard isn’t above and beyond, as they believe in providing thoughtfully designed spaces that are healthy for the people and planet. A quality home not only inspires the people who live there, but surrounding community as well.
Cobalt Creed was asked to partner with Module to install the Unico Small Duct High Velocity Twist-Fit System™. The system was installed on-site, in the SMI factory as the homes were being built. The main system components were installed in a closet and the Small Duct system fit in-between the first and second floors, in literally “4 1/2” of space.
What is a MODULE home?
To use the limited space efficiently, the Valentiners – working with architect Eric Bachofner and builder Jim Blankenship – designed the main floor to include cupboards that reached the ceiling and storage spaces above closets and the laundry area. All the house wiring and mechanical system are on the lower level. After consulting with Shawn Intagliata from Cobalt Creed, and visiting a home that had a Unico System installed, Ted and Linda decided on Cobalt Creeds’ small duct heating and cooling solution.
The contractor installed a 2.5-ton Unico System air handler with a hot water coil for central heating and cooling to both levels of the structure. The Unico hot water coil and a radiant floor heating system on the lower level are paired with a geothermal heat pump.Geothermal heat pumps are common in the American West and are an energy efficient and ecologically friendly method of providing indoor heating and cooling.Typically, a series of coils are buried in the ground and, in winter, heat from the earth is transferred to the interior heating coil and radiant floor system. In the summer, the process is reversed with heat being transferred from the home to the earth.
RESULTS
Ted and Linda couldn’t be happier with the look and performance of their Cobalt Creed solution. Having once lived in the Middle East where air conditioning is delivered by noisy, bulky conventional ducted systems, they were surprised by the quietness of The Cobalt Creed system solution. “From my time abroad and my career in project management, I know how important air handlers are,” says Ted. “I’m so pleased that the Unico air handlers’ deliver our conditioned air quietly and comfortably.”
The couple is also pleased with the low heating and cooling expenses. Living in the mountains means they don’t need to use the A/C very often but when it is hot, Ted says it works great. When forest fires crop up from time to time, he says it’s too smoky outside to open the windows, so that’s another benefit to having air conditioning. The Valentiners’ home was originally meant to be a single-story structure, but a happy, unplanned realization occurred when they began excavation. Due to the way the cabin is situated on the hillside, Ted and Linda were able to double their living space with a lower level that includes a walkout. With this happenstance, they now operate the lower level as The Old Wagon Wheel guesthouse, with a separate entrance. Beautiful wide-open spaces, fresh mountain air, cozy cabin living and superior indoor comfort courtesy of The Cobalt Creed solution. “Don’t fence me in,” indeed.
On Black Street
Just on Black Street alone, there are 3 public outdoor spaces — all created by different neighborhood groups and individuals for the neighborhood. The first, East Field community garden, which is on the 5500 block of Black Street has 45 raised beds — available for anyone to use who lives within walking distance of the community garden.
The second space is the Garfield Sensory Garden — a vacant parcel that is owned by Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority, and has been activated by Black Street resident and homeowner. She took this project on in 2018 and, with grant funding and student volunteer groups, turned it into a sensory garden complete with murals from local artists, a fire-pit and plenty of seating. On a sunny day you’ll find students from the Environmental Charter School taking their recess or volunteers dropping by to care for the space.
As if this wasn’t enough, the third space is part dog park and part grassy retreat with shade, complete with small slides and features for kids. This street is full of surprises that show the attention and care that the neighborhood has. We think you’ll appreciate the thoughtful amenities that the neighborhood has created.
Zero Energy Ready
All of the homes are designed to the meet the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready standards. This means that the homes feature the following features
-
A high-performance thermal enclosure
This is the entire exterior of your home — roof, foundation, doors, windows, everything. Together, they seal off the inside of your home from the outside world. In a Zero Energy Ready Home, the enclosure features high-performance windows, insulation, and comprehensive draft protection to lower your energy bills and block out dust, noise and moisture. -
A high-performance comfort system
Zero Energy Ready Homes feature expert installation of high-efficiency temperature control systems, as well as heating and cooling ducts inside the thermal enclosure instead of inconvenient attics or basements. -
Whole house health protection
While many homeowners consider the look and location of a home, they don’t often consider how the home affects their health. Zero Energy Ready Homes are the healthiest homes for their inhabitants because they contain indoor air quality systems that filter contaminants from the air that cause respiratory problems, including pollen, chemicals and dust.
-
Whole house water protection
Water damage is a huge concern in any home, but in a Zero Energy Ready Home, you’ll find dry-by-design construction with a comprehensive water barrier system and carefully selected materials inside to control moisture. -
High-efficiency components
The components inside of Zero Energy Ready Homes, including the lighting, appliances, exhaust fans and water heating system, all feature advanced technology designed especially to use less energy and work more efficiently than traditional versions. -
Solar-ready construction
Zero Energy Ready Homes are all built so that a solar electric system can be easily added whenever it’s convenient for you. This includes the required wiring, the ability to withstand the structural load and the electrical panel circuit breakers for a solar electric system.
