By Lynne Ascrizzi
About 5% of new homes built in this country are modular, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. However, the market share in Maine is much higher than the national average, as it is in other states with colder weather climates, according to the Modular Home Builders Association of Maine.
Today, the modular home business may be poised to grow, as people discover the surprising, sustainable advantages that prefabricated, factory-built modular homes (not to be confused with mobile homes) offer. These advantages include:
Speed of construction and delivery: Modular homes are section-built, in factory-controlled environments and very quickly erected. A house can be on-site in five or six months (with an additional four-to-eight weeks for finishing work). Saving time saves money and energy.
Less construction waste: Modular home designs are standardized, so many manufacturers buy pre-cut lumber. Workers are trained to build specific sections, resulting in fewer mistakes and less waste.
Cleaner environment: Since modular homes are built in climate-controlled environments, materials are not exposed to the elements, which helps eliminate mold and mildew.
Energy efficiency: Modular homes are incorporating energy-efficient construction and products. For example, Keiser Homes of Oxford, Maine offers a Modular Zero design, with R-40 wall and R-60 ceiling insulation, triple-glaze windows and an electric, split heat pump system. For each kilowatt of electricity used, the heat-pump system returns an equivalent of three kilowatts of heat or air-conditioning. Optional solar panels generate enough power, even in Maine, for hot water and cooking.
Modular home buyers can also choose homes with green technologies that meet the standards of energy rating programs including LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and Energy Star, developed by the EPA. These options include efficient heating and water systems, low VOC paints and formaldehyde-free building materials.
Payoffs are often in the seven-to-ten year range, making these technologies very appealing.
