Fraser Home: ZNE Producer in “Icebox of the Nation”

admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:48:18 +0000

Despite the annual mean temperature in Fraser, Colorado being 32.5 °F, Ecofutures’ integrated design team has designed the home to be better than zero net energy, even with considerable conditioned space and “extracurricular” energy uses. 17kW of solar PV will power the 5,200 sq. ft. house, 900 sq. ft. detached wood shop, AND 2 all-electric Tesla vehicles (1 Roadster and 1 five-door, when it’s released into the marketplace)! For 8% more in construction costs, the homeowners can power their entire house and their cars without paying anything (net) to a utility company, thereby future-proofing their home against rising energy costs!

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On January 20^th, we received some wonderful news from our stellar on-site Project Manager, Jeremy Mercier:

“All inspections passed with flying colors today. The inspector had said it was one of the most well-built homes he had ever seen and that it should be a model for future homes in Grand County. He was blown away with our wall assemblies and said that if this was code, we (our country) wouldn’t be in the trouble we’re in.”

All framing has been completed, and insulation, radiant tubing, and concrete floors are underway. By the end of February, drywall will be complete, and the home should be ready to live in by August.

The home was brilliantly designed by Bryan Bowen of BBA.

To view our Flickr gallery of this home under construction, please click here.

To see all the technical details of the home, please click here.

Longmont ZNE Home: Near Zero Net Energy for 5% More

admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:45:37 +0000

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The Hainlines’ custom home, overseen by expert on-site Project Manager, Jim Pendergast, is due to be completed in August and is projected to achieve a HERS 9 rating. The Hainlines came to Ecofutures at the onset, relying on our expertise to provide them with the best integrated design team possible, and thus only 5% of the overall construction budget had to be allocated to achieve Boulder County’s BuildSmart-mandated HERS 10 or better. That 5% included building envelope upgrades such as walls with interior thermal breaks, closed cell spray-in-place foam, and double dry wall, as well as high-performance windows, and a large sun space 3 feet deep that acts as a solar air collector for space heating. Solar thermal and solar electric renewable energy systems were also included in that 5%.

Currently, Jim is having his crew finish up exterior framing and roofing, as well as start on paint and stucco. Throughout the interior, the HVAC and electrical phases are beginning and the glass for the innovative sunspace was just installed.

To view our Flickr gallery of this home under construction, please click here.

To see all the technical details of the home, please click here.

Ecofutures, Inc. » Current Projects

Fraser Home: ZNE Producer in “Icebox of the Nation”

Longmont ZNE Home: Near Zero Net Energy for 5% More