A helping hand

Habitat for Humanity saves energy on Key Peninsula homes

Hugh McMillan

Special to the Gateway

Several Habitat for Humanity volunteers dodged sprinkles of rain last Saturday while working on two of four structures under construction on the Key Peninsula.

The day was dedicated to laying and stapling in place vinyl tubing on the Styrofoam R-10 insulation-covered foundation slabs for a radiant heating system in the homes-to-be. The houses will be framed on July 18-19.

The recipients of two of the structures — Darcy and Jennifer Speidel, along with Kerry, Jennifer and Bobby Bennet — were also on site, working off some of the 500 volunteer hours required for homeownership.

Volunteerism a key part of Habitat for Humanity’s mission, both for potential homeowners and for citizens looking to help the charity.

“If you want to help a great charity and learn more about construction, Habit for Humanity needs you now,” volunteer Rick Nahum said. “Helping Habitat is not the normal charity in that the potential homeowners have to provide their own labor in building for Habitat before they are allowed to move into their homes.”

Nahum became involved in Habitat four years ago. He cited the charity’s commitment to “building green homes” as one reason why he volunteered.

The new radiant flooring laid last weekend is an example of that ethic.

“(Volunteer) Joe Purdue and I took classes in designing and installing radiant floor heating systems,” Nahum said. “Joe Purdue has over 30 years in plumbing, and I have over 20 years in engineering and construction. We designed and installed our first on-demand propane heating system for Habitat’s Palmer Lake houses.”

The rising cost of energy is a motivation for Habitat to build more efficient homes.

“With the rise of fuel costs, we faced a new challenge in saving our homeowners on their energy costs,” Nahum continued. “We decided to go from an on-demand propane system to an electric boiler system. The joke is the houses will be so well-insulated that the boiler may never turn on.”

Volunteers at KP home building

The following people volunteered at last weekend’s Habitat for Humanity project on the Key Peninsula:

Joe Purdue, Yaponcha English, Brian Kasperbauer, Nick Nahun, Jerry Wax, Rick Nahum, Nick Nahum, Joshua Nahum, Pat Ellis, Jim Leigh, K.C. Carter, Shawn Clevenger, Tony Williams, Jarrod Landsberger and Jeff Holsten.

Future owners Darcy and Jennifer Speidel, and Kerry, Jennifer and Bobby Bennet, also were on hand. For information on this or other Habitat projects, call Rick Nahum at 253-853-2563.

Hugh McMillan is a longtime freelance writer for the Peninsula Gateway. He can be reached at