Dear Jim: We are planning to build a new 2,500-square-foot home. It must have low utility bills so that we qualify for the loan. Would a stress-skin panel or a SIPS house construction method be a good choice? – Saul N.

Dear Saul: SIPS — structural insulated panel system — construction is what we used to call stress-skin panels and it would be a perfect fit with your needs. Construction is quick and simple and your finished house will typically have utility bills 50 percent lower than two-by-four-studded wall construction. SIPS is compatible with any type of house architecture, from traditional to the most contemporary passive solar houses. When the house is completed with a typical exterior finish (brick, siding, stucco, etc.), it is impossible to distinguish it from other stick-built houses on your street.

SIPS wall panels are a sandwich of insulating foam in the center with a supporting “stress skin” on each side. These skins give the strength and rigidity to the panels. They are permanently bonded to the foam core. Since the oriented strand board or steel skins are so strong, no wall support framing is needed. Adjacent wall panels interlock and attach to the foundation. When enclosed with panels, the house is strong and stable.

The extremely low utility bills result primarily from the super-high insulation levels, up to R-43. The various panel manufacturers use either expanded polystyrene or urethane foam insulation. Urethane foam has a slightly higher insulation value.

An R-43 panel has 61/2 inches of urethane.

Additional savings result from their airtightness. With panels as long as 24 feet by 8 feet tall, a typical house wall has few joints where air can leak into the home. This also makes the homes very quiet and clean inside. With a fresh air ventilation system, these are ideal for allergy sufferers.

Constructing a SIPS house is fast for lower labor costs. A two-by-four stud is attached horizontally to the foundation.

Some foam is routed out from the bottom of each panel so it fits over the two-by-four and it is screwed in place. For steel skin panels, the panels rest in steel channels on the foundation.

Most SIPS panels interlock with each other by means of a recessed spline that slips in the edges to lock them together. One of the simplest designs uses unique plastic cams to draw the panels tightly together for assembly.

For the lowest overall cost, several SIPS manufacturers sell complete house kits with windows, doors and ventilation systems. Even if you buy just separate panels, they are made to your house plans with window and door openings, wiring chases and more already cut and numbered for assembly.

Dear Jim: I talked with a salesman about installing a central vacuum system. Even though it has a powerful main unit that uses a lot of electricity, will all the pipes reduce its effectiveness? – Ken O.

Dear Ken: I had the same concerns when I installed a central vacuum in my own home for testing. There are well over 100 feet of plastic pipe plus the 30-foot hose. The powerful motor does draw a lot of electricity. I have not noticed a lack of adequate suction power at any of the hose inlets. Since the main unit is in my basement, no dust escapes back into the room. I have to vacuum less often now, so even though the motor is powerful, it uses less electricity overall.

Write for (instantly download – www.dulley.com) Update Bulletin No. 767 – buyer’s guide of 13 SIPS manufacturers listing insulation type, skin materials, panel size/thickness/R-value ranges, features and assembly details. Include $3 and a business-size SASE. Send to James Dulley, Bangor Daily News, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244.