This 2,040-square-foot single-family home
was designed by Wagner Zaun Architecture and built by Women in Construction
Company, LLC. Completed in May 2007 with an Energy Star Rating award,
it is open to the public as a demonstration project until spring
2008.
This whole house design for sustainability
reflects thoughtful choices from healthy paints, to recycled materials,
to regionally produced products to a comprehensive insulation system.
With significant insulation and design to
maximize the sun's energy, the heating load is less than 18,000
Btu per hour or 8 Btu per sq. ft. of living space.
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North-south building orientation
for solar gain – passive solar design |
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2 kW grid-connected solar PV array |
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Solar hybrid heating system: Solar domestic
hot water 16-tube solar thermal array with 85-gallon storage
tank |
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Instantaneous hot water heater boost, insulated
water lines |
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Hydronic radiant heat in first floor slab |
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Warmed ventilation air delivery on second
floor |
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Comprehensive insulation system: Frost-protected
slab foundation with 4" XPS foam insulation under slab
(R20) and sub-slab radon mitigation system; 9.5" double
2" x 4" stud walls with dense-pack cellulose insulation
(R36), structural fiberboard sheathing (R1.2), superior air
tightness, 6 mm poly sealed vapor barrier, and insulated rim
board with additional 2-part urethane foam (R31 total); cement
board lapse siding; 16" energy heel roof trusses, cellulose
attic insulation (R60); standing seal metal roof; continuous
sofit and ridge vents; insulated fiberglass window frames;
triple pane glazing with warm edge spacers, argon fill, and
Low-E coatings, solar gain, Low-E coatings on south windows;
overall U-value average of .20 for windows, flashing, and
sealing to reduce heat loss and risk of exterior water intrusion |
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EPA certified wood stove |
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Less square footage for sustainability |
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Selection of low volatile organic compound
(VOC) emitting construction materials and finishes |
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Building products and finishes made from
renewable resources or that contain recycled content |
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Regionally produced items used to minimize
transportation related fuel consumption and emissions |
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Energy Star appliances and lighting |
