Success Stories: Artistic Homes - Albuquerque, NM

About the Builder - Artistic Homes

Artistic Homes is a family owned and operated business. Owner and president Jerry Wade is a second-generation homebuilder who has built more than 6,000 homes in the state of New Mexico since 1965. In 1990 he entered the Albuquerque market and was the metro area's top homebuilder by 1998 with 498 closings. His production goal for 1999 had grown to 600. Jerry feels efficiency is the key to building affordable homes, where the profit margins are slim. He makes it work with strict scheduling and an assembly-line approach to building a house. From framing to finish takes about 35 calendar days. 

Despite the pace of construction and growing volume, quality and building integrity are not compromised. Evidence of this can be found through Artistic Homes’ involvement with programs such as the American Lung Association’s Health House program and the Department of Energy’s Building America program. Both have strict standards regarding combustion safety, indoor air quality and building durability and both require testing and verification of home performance. Artistic Homes is also involved with the Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico’s Green Builder program. Requirements of this program include the use of engineered lumber and trusses, which are designed to maximize strength and uses fewer natural resources. They also use 2" x 6" wood for framing to allow more insulation and greater comfort. And, of course, they recycle the scrap lumber to help the environment and lower costs.

Design Philosophy and Application

When Jerry Wade started building homes in New Mexico back in 1965, he had no idea how much influence technology would have on this industry. What he did know was that he staked his personal reputation on every new home he built. Now, thanks to advanced design, engineering and construction techniques, Artistic Homes has added a homeowner’s heating and cooling cost guarantee. And, as always, he’s staking his reputation on it.

Artistic Home Features

Mechanical System Characteristics

• High efficiency filtration  

• Integrated heating and water heating system, 0.57 EF water heater with air handler 
• 12 SEER air conditioner 
• Supply-only ventilation system with cycled distribution through air handler 
• All ducts within conditioned space and sealed with mastic

System Improvements  

• Exterior air flow retarder system, asphalt impregnated sheathing 

• Interior air/vapor retarder system, airtight dry-wall approach  
• Spectrally selective, high performance glazing 
• Sealed polyethylene moisture barrier below slab 
• Simplified duct system

Envelope Characteristics

• Floor area: 1,824 square feet 

• Foundation: Slab on grade, R-5 perimeter insulation, peel and stick membrane capillary breaks 

• Wall System: Advanced framed, 2X6, 24" on center with R-19 batts  

• Attic/Roof: R-38 blown fiberglass insulation 

• Windows: Vinyl framed, double glazed, argon filled with Low-E coating U: 0.36, SHGC: 0.73

Product Choices:

• Hard surface flooring throughout home 

• Low VOC cabinetry • Low VOC paint 

• Upgraded 4" pleated high efficiency filtration system

Measured Leakage Characteristics:

• Total envelope CFM at 50 pascals: 598 

• 0.12 CFM/Square foot of surface area 

• 2.23 ACH50

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