The iHouse

"I think it is smart. It is fresh. It is kind of hip for a new generation of homebuyers," says Stacey Epperson of Frontier Homes in an Associated Press story by Duncan Mansfield (5/7/09). Stacey is referring to the newly introduced iHouse, a so-called manufactured home made by Clayton Homes, that "was conceived as a moderately priced ‘plug and play’ dwelling for environmentally-conscious homebuyers." Clayton is owned Berkshire-Hathaway, and Warren Buffett sees the iHouse as "truly a home of the future" (images).

In addition to "energy-efficient appliances, a tankless water heater, dual-flush toilets and lots of ‘low-e’ glazed windows," the iHouse features a metal v-shaped roof, that not only "supports flush-mounted solar panels" but also serves as "a rain water catchment system for recycling." According to Mr. Buffet, "Estimated costs for electricity and heating total only about $1 per day when the home is sited in an area like Omaha." The cost to build is in the $100-$130 range, versus the $200-$300 it would cost to build a comparable stick-built house.

"The key cost difference is from the savings Clayton achieves by building homes in volume in green standardized factories with very little waste." The basic layout looks like a dotted i, and while ceo Kevin Clayton likes to invite comparisons to the iPod, he says the "i" actually stands for "innovation, inspiration, intelligence and integration." Clayton cmo Chris Nicely thinks the iHouse is a real breakthrough: "You know a lot of people don’t see themselves living in manufactured housing, but a lot of people would see themselves living in an ‘i-house,’" he said.