Ground has been broken for construction of PM’s Habitat For Humanity home in Southfield, Mich. About 100 people turned out for the ceremony, including future Habitat homeowner Mary Deaton and her family, Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and numerous other Habitat supporters.

PM is co-sponsoring the home, which is targeted for completion at year-end. The 1,058-sq. ft. home will have a radiant heating system, metal framing and an exterior insulating finishing system (EIFS). It’s hoped the use of these materials and other energy efficient design elements will qualify the home for Habitat’s “Green Team” designation. Ironically, this resource-efficient home will fall within the congressional district of Rep. Knollenberg, best known to PM readers as the sponsor of the bill to repeal water conservation measures for low-flow showerheads and 1.6 gpf toilets.

Response from manufacturers within the plumbing and heating industry has been outstanding, according to PM construction division publisher Tim Fausch. “I’ve received more than 15 offers from manufacturers to donate products, some of them quite substantial. Our industry has really stepped up and demonstrated a giving spirit.”

Updates on PM’s Habitat home will be published in future issues.