Features
01
CONSTRUCTING YOUR FUTURE IS A SCIENCE WE TAKE SERIOUSLY
At Dorn Homes, we are re-engineering the American home, saving our owners tens of thousands of dollars in utility bills during the typical period of ownership. The savings are not simply financial. You will find a Dorn Home to be one of the best-built and healthiest homes in America, a saving which is the hardest to measure. You will have a peace of mind knowing that the job has been done correctly by skilled tradesmen, that there is a 10 year extended warranty, and that Dorn Building Science engineers leading edge best practice into every home we construct.
A Dorn Home doesn't only meet the most stringent standards set by the US Government's Energy Star Program, it will greatly exceed them. A Dorn Home is 53 to 70% more energy efficient than a typical ’pre-existing‘ home.
A Dorn Home doesn't only meet the most stringent standards set by the US Government's Energy Star Program, it will greatly exceed them. A Dorn Home is 53 to 70% more energy efficient than a typical ’pre-existing‘ home.
BUILDING SCIENCE BY THE NUMBERS
HERS (Home Energy Rating System) is a scoring system
set by the Residential Energy Services Network to measure a home's energy efficiency and determine if it meets
Energy Star guidelines. The lower the HERS index, the
more energy efficient the home. All HERS certifications
are conducted by a leading Arizona energy consultant
and certifier.
On average a Dorn Home scores between 48 and 61 on the HERS scale. Compare this against the older pre-existing home with a HERS score of 130 and it is easy to see how the savings can start adding up. To put this into financial terms, a Dorn Home could save you $12,000 to $20,000 over an ownership period of 10 years when compared to a typical pre-existing home.
On average a Dorn Home scores between 48 and 61 on the HERS scale. Compare this against the older pre-existing home with a HERS score of 130 and it is easy to see how the savings can start adding up. To put this into financial terms, a Dorn Home could save you $12,000 to $20,000 over an ownership period of 10 years when compared to a typical pre-existing home.
MONEY IS NOT THE ONLY THING YOU WILL SAVE
Heating and cooling of homes account for nearly 60% of
residential electricity usage in the United States. Dorn's
integrated Building Science system boasts a 14 SEER AC unit
in Southern Arizona, and a 13 SEER AC unit in Prescott. The
higher the SEER of your unit, the greater the efficiency and
lower the operating costs.
Combined with Dorn's programmable thermostats, this translates into lowering your utility bill 35 to 40% compared to a 10 year old or older home. Dorn's programmable thermostats reduce energy use by adjusting the temperature according to a series of programmed settings that take effect at different times of the day.
Your home will feature high efficiency appliances, including an Energy Star dishwasher and compact fluorescent light bulbs. CFL bulbs use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
Utility rebates and tax credits periodically change or terminate. Consult with your Dorn representative for the specific rebates and feature costs in your area & community. No guarantees on savings or product availability are implied.
Combined with Dorn's programmable thermostats, this translates into lowering your utility bill 35 to 40% compared to a 10 year old or older home. Dorn's programmable thermostats reduce energy use by adjusting the temperature according to a series of programmed settings that take effect at different times of the day.
Your home will feature high efficiency appliances, including an Energy Star dishwasher and compact fluorescent light bulbs. CFL bulbs use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
Utility rebates and tax credits periodically change or terminate. Consult with your Dorn representative for the specific rebates and feature costs in your area & community. No guarantees on savings or product availability are implied.
BALANCE IN LIFE AND BALANCE IN YOUR HOME
Creating balance in life is important, so too in building a home. The Dorn Building Science method of home design and
construction is a holistic approach to maximize four key
components: ENERGY SAVINGS, PERFORMANCE, HEALTH,
AND COMFORT.
The benefits include lifetime energy savings of $12,000 to $20,000, greater year-round comfort, improved air quality for better health, quality construction, peace of mind and higher resale value. Every Dorn home is professionally certified and tested by an independent third party energy expert enabling your home to receive its HERS rating and our Building Science seal.
The energy savings have been calculated by E3 Energy, LLC. The estimated savings is based on site specific architecture, home orientation and 3 inhabitants. The actual energy use in the home may be greater or less than this estimate, depending upon the home, orientation, climate, and occupants' use of the energy-consuming appliances and equipment and utility rate changes. Savings comparison is comparing a new Dorn home vs an older existing home with a 130 HERS score.
The benefits include lifetime energy savings of $12,000 to $20,000, greater year-round comfort, improved air quality for better health, quality construction, peace of mind and higher resale value. Every Dorn home is professionally certified and tested by an independent third party energy expert enabling your home to receive its HERS rating and our Building Science seal.
The energy savings have been calculated by E3 Energy, LLC. The estimated savings is based on site specific architecture, home orientation and 3 inhabitants. The actual energy use in the home may be greater or less than this estimate, depending upon the home, orientation, climate, and occupants' use of the energy-consuming appliances and equipment and utility rate changes. Savings comparison is comparing a new Dorn home vs an older existing home with a 130 HERS score.
KEEP THE AIR FRESH INSIDE AND OUT
Dorn's Fresh Air Intake and Full Home Ventilation System creates an environment that contains healthy fresh air, less dust,
fewer odors, and remarkably comfortable and consistent temperatures.
Jump ducts and/or transfer grills are installed in all of the sleeping rooms during framing. These features act as a pressure valve in rooms. Some Dorn Homes include a separate return vent for the master bedroom suite.
Benefits include: pressure relief in bedrooms when doors are closed, doors won't slam when heating and cooling systems turn on, no more hot and cold rooms due to poor air flow, and balanced pressure prevents unconditioned air from being drawn in.
The end result of this balancing system is air will flow freely throughout the house whether or not doors are open in some rooms and closed in others.
Jump ducts and/or transfer grills are installed in all of the sleeping rooms during framing. These features act as a pressure valve in rooms. Some Dorn Homes include a separate return vent for the master bedroom suite.
Benefits include: pressure relief in bedrooms when doors are closed, doors won't slam when heating and cooling systems turn on, no more hot and cold rooms due to poor air flow, and balanced pressure prevents unconditioned air from being drawn in.
The end result of this balancing system is air will flow freely throughout the house whether or not doors are open in some rooms and closed in others.
NATURALLY INSULATED
We feature a sealed thermal envelope that radically reduces
heating and cooling costs which are typically 60% of your
home's energy usage on most houses we build. The insulation
extends up to the roof deck, allowing the ductwork to be inside
the heated and cooled space.
Dorn's Spray Foam Insulation System at the roof deck seals the building twenty-five times better than standard insulation, reducing leaks, drafts, and wasted energy. The home will be quieter, more comfortable, and cleaner. The exterior wall insulation features cellulose recycled blown-in Spray Foam insulation, creating that perfect blanket around your home.
Up to 30% of energy loss in an average home is attributed to leaks in the ‘envelope’ and duct systems. These leaks may compromise indoor air quality and contribute to allergies. Our ductwork is mastically sealed with a flexible, non-toxic sealant that can move with the expansion, contraction and vibration of the duct system components.
In Prescott, the ceiling insulation is R38 insulation at the ceiling level. Additionally, Prescott homes boast a complete foundation insulation system. In cooler higher altitude climates like Prescott, the foundation is where approximately 30% of a home's heat gain or loss occurs. Our insulation provides air seal protection on all windows, exterior doors, and top plate penetrations. When it comes to your insulation, we have thought of everything.
Dorn's Spray Foam Insulation System at the roof deck seals the building twenty-five times better than standard insulation, reducing leaks, drafts, and wasted energy. The home will be quieter, more comfortable, and cleaner. The exterior wall insulation features cellulose recycled blown-in Spray Foam insulation, creating that perfect blanket around your home.
Up to 30% of energy loss in an average home is attributed to leaks in the ‘envelope’ and duct systems. These leaks may compromise indoor air quality and contribute to allergies. Our ductwork is mastically sealed with a flexible, non-toxic sealant that can move with the expansion, contraction and vibration of the duct system components.
In Prescott, the ceiling insulation is R38 insulation at the ceiling level. Additionally, Prescott homes boast a complete foundation insulation system. In cooler higher altitude climates like Prescott, the foundation is where approximately 30% of a home's heat gain or loss occurs. Our insulation provides air seal protection on all windows, exterior doors, and top plate penetrations. When it comes to your insulation, we have thought of everything.
BRING THE VIEWS IN AND KEEP THE WEATHER OUT
One of the first things you will notice when you enter your
Dorn Home is our use of oversized windows. We capture
the views, letting in light and creating a welcoming and
open environment.
All of our homes feature dual pane, low E, vinyl high performance windows. Low-E coatings are microscopically thin materials bonded to the surface of the glass. They are so thin you can see through them yet they prevent heat and ultra-violet (UV) rays from passing through the glass.
Our windows reduce energy loss by as much as 30-50% over regular windows which are commonly installed in older homes. These high performance windows keep the home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter saving you money on utilities and making your home a more comfortable place to live. Dorn high performance windows also reduce window covering and furniture fading due to sun damage. They also provide superior acoustic performance, reducing noise transfer, making your home quieter and more peaceful.
All of our homes feature dual pane, low E, vinyl high performance windows. Low-E coatings are microscopically thin materials bonded to the surface of the glass. They are so thin you can see through them yet they prevent heat and ultra-violet (UV) rays from passing through the glass.
Our windows reduce energy loss by as much as 30-50% over regular windows which are commonly installed in older homes. These high performance windows keep the home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter saving you money on utilities and making your home a more comfortable place to live. Dorn high performance windows also reduce window covering and furniture fading due to sun damage. They also provide superior acoustic performance, reducing noise transfer, making your home quieter and more peaceful.
IT RISES IN THE EAST AND SETS IN THE WEST
Dorn's solar hotwater systems are a feature in all Southern Arizona homes which can readily benefit from the
energy produced by the sun. These solar systems include
an 80 gallon hot water heater, with a closed loop system
and a 95% efficient electric backup to ensure a consistent
stream of fresh hot water. The solar power your home will
utilize is a sustainable source of energy, reducing your
home's carbon footprint.
While Dorn is bringing the great outdoors into your home, it is also protecting the environment. Your new home will include water conserving toilets, faucets, and shower heads.
Also assisting in the conservation of energy are things you will never see, like our PEX plumbing water lines which reduce the amount of heat loss from water in the piping. PEX does not experience corrosion or pitting, reduces potential maintenance and repair costs, and is significantly quieter than copper piping.
While Dorn is bringing the great outdoors into your home, it is also protecting the environment. Your new home will include water conserving toilets, faucets, and shower heads.
Also assisting in the conservation of energy are things you will never see, like our PEX plumbing water lines which reduce the amount of heat loss from water in the piping. PEX does not experience corrosion or pitting, reduces potential maintenance and repair costs, and is significantly quieter than copper piping.
