HFHN completed it's 14th house early this year, in Newbold, and is proud to announce that it has received certification in the ENERGY STAR homes program. In order to be certified, the home must be at least 25% more energy efficient than a house built to minimum Uniform Dwelling Code requirements. This house is more energy efficient because an insulated concrete form foundation wall was used, and has twice the R value of the normal basement. Sub-slab insulation, R-50 attic insulation and extruded polystyrene foam on the exterior of the framed walls were also used. Windows are Energy Star rated, along with Energy Star appliances, and a bathroom exhaust fan, which was properly sized for this task. The most critical factor which made this house the "tightest" of the four in the Wisconsin Energy Star program so far, is the construction techniques used and attention to detail in sealing up potential holes and cracks in the building shell. Rich Urban, the Energy Star consultant, credits Pat McCabe's leadership as a volunteer construction supervisor in making this house so energy efficient.