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Doyle Residence LEED Gold All-Electric Solar Rehab

Give a summary of the project
Our 100-year old, all-electric LEED Gold Certified home in Oak Park’s Ridgeland Historic District underwent a deconstruction and gut rehab in 2012. The project won a 2012 Green Award from the Village of Oak Park and was selected as one of about a dozen featured homes in the Chicago Tribune/US Green Building Council’s inaugural GreenBuilt Home Tour in July 2013 and again in July 2014. The project aimed to incorporate green innovations for energy/resource conservation, while preserving the legacy and character of the original Prairie-style, American Four Square home. Designed and built with an eye toward sustainable, practical, healthy living by its family of 5, the home was “GreenBuilt” on a modest urban lot with immediate (walkable) access to public transportation; community resources/retail; and open, public green spaces.The garage rebuild was designed specifically to optimize capture from 48 solar panels (15.5 KW system) that provides 104% of the energy needed for the entire property and its inhabitants. The home utilizes a renewal geothermal energy system for HVAC and domestic hot water. It includes one of the first residential greywater systems in IL, which saves approximately 25% on indoor water use by recycling water from tubs/showers into toilets. (We are awaiting upgrade to a new greywater unit, with the original unit in disrepair.) To further conserve energy and water, the home utilizes Energy Star appliances, a magnetic induction cooktop, WaterSense and water efficient plumbing fixtures, high-performance windows and insulation (mostly through dense pack cellulose — essentially recycled newspaper), and 93% LED and high-efficiency lighting. Materials and finishes are reclaimed, recycled, and/or locally-sourced when possible.

From a health standpoint, natural daylighting is maximized with many large windows, transoms, and solar tubes. Indoor air quality is maximized with 0-VOC sealants, varnishes, and paints, and an HRV (heat recovery ventilator) system optimizes heat distribution and refreshes indoor air.

The home’s landscaping includes 95% permeable surfaces; a large (1000 gallon recessed) rainwater harvesting system and rain barrels; a rain garden and bio-swale; 90% drought-resistant native and edible plantings (including fruit trees, a raspberry patch, a greenhouse, and sub-irrigated raised beds); and bee, butterfly, and bird-friendly plantings to attract and help restore habitat. The landscape design mediates storm water on site, addresses LEED’s sustainable sites and water efficiency principles, and meets The Conservation Foundation’s Conservation@Home certification requirements.
Give us success stories as well as lessons learned
We are proud at having succeeded in utilizing sustainable approaches to extend the health, well-being, resiliency, and lifespan of our 100 year-old home in a historic district of Oak Park IL so that it will last at least another 100 years — all the while designed to be lighter on the planet. We are thrilled to have completed an infill (rather than demolition/new construction project) that was able to achieve LEED Gold certification, and we conduct tours on a fairly regular basis to show that living with the future in mind doesn’t need to mean living in a futuristic structure. No one knows our home is greenbuild or LEED certified from the outside, or even from the inside. This is important because it impresses upon people that an innovative, sustainable project can also be accessible and feel achievable.The first phase of the renovation (2 story addition, plus installation of geothermal and greywater systems), completed in Fall of 2012, was a 3+ year process, from planning to completion. The second phase of the renovation (solar garage), completed in Fall of 2017, took about 18-24 months, from planning to completion.

We were already conservation-minded when we came to this project, and had spent several years already deeply involved in sustainable community projects. But the green building process taught us a lot about sustainable innovations; energy use and efficiencies; insulation, insulation, insulation; LEED documentation; working with a team of great green professionals (our green rater/3rd party verifier, energy auditor/modeler), and practicing thinking as they do about the “whole-house” balancing of energy & water conservation with human health optimization.

The construction process taught us much about PATIENCE (how to live in disarray for 7-12 months in phase 1), and also about the coordination and logistics of a large project like this — working with a project team and seeing from the point of view of an architect, or a builder, or an HVAC service provider, or a landscape designer.

At the end of the day (perhaps it is because our minds and hearts are already rooted in sustainable living) our biggest learnings had to do with taking the long view when it came to decision-making and weighing the benefits and drawbacks of certain solutions or approaches. Perhaps what kept us going through the complexities, the processing of difficult technical concepts, the surprises (all projects of this size have surprises!) — was our macro-focus throughout the project on the way we want to live. The prize we tried to keep our eye on was that this project was just an expression of our belief in and attempt to carve out a new/better/lighter/smarter way to live physically with and in support of our environment, with respect to our resources, with an ethic of conservation, and in order to improve (or at least be “less bad” with regards to) the health and well-being of our home and our planet. We found that when we thought this way, though it was often difficult (there is plenty of consuming work and decision-making in a project like this), it helped some of the more challenging pieces feel simpler, and some of the “stickier” pieces seem worth working through.
Tell us what is unique or innovative about this project
We feel that having a 21st century, sustainable, lighter-on-the-planet, future-facing home in a historic district of a suburb bordering Chicago is “quietly” innovative, making a project like this seem accessible and achievable to others looking to rehab a home in a conscious way. Other innovations include converting an old 1918 American Four Square into an all-electric, net-zero home, using a geothermal system and a 15KW solar panel system. We are early adopters in having installed a greywater system to recover 25% of our indoor water use, and eagerly await the market playing catch-up with us, as we are ready for a new greywater unit after our original one stopped functioning. We also feel the thought and design to our landscape, which is Conservation at Home certified, is unique, with its focus on edible and native plantings, as well as its strong attention to water conservation practices through rain water harvesting and sustainable landscape design (rain garden, bioswale, etc).
Any special thermal envelop, insulation or passive heating & cooling details?
Our contractor, Loop Construction, worked with Nate Redwitz and his crew at Home Energy Control (HEC) Technologies to give us as tight a thermal envelope as we could afford and reasonably apply to our existing 94-year-old home. Achieving the perfect insulation implementation was challenging considering the fact that our project was an addition rather than a tear-down, and we would therefore not be opening all walls to allow for from-scratch whole-house insulation. It was easy to implement from-scratch insulation in the new part of the house, where we selected a combination of spray foam (not a “green” material but sustainable in that it is highly effective at stopping air and moisture infilatration) and dense pack cellulose (a “green” material, essentially using recycled newspaper). In the original portions of the house, exterior holes were made in the stucco and wet, dense pack cellulose was blown in to fill existing wall cavities and bulk up existing (and antiquated) insulation. Cellulose insulation gives an R-value of 3.8 per inch; spray foam has an R-value of 6.4 per inch.Heating/Cooling
Our heating, cooling, and hot water are provided by a geothermal system, which operates on energy from 48 solar panels (15 kW system) on the garage. The solar system provides 104% of the energy needed by the home, the property, and its 5 inhabitants.Ventilation
Once our home’s thermal envelope was as tight as we could get it within our budget and in consideration of the fact that we were not tearing down and starting over (which we didn’t want to do; we love our old home!), we were happy to realize the many benefits of good insulation, including energy efficiency and reduced energy costs. What we learned, though, was that a tightly sealed home, if not properly ventilated, could lead to other issues — primarily concerning our health. Our geothermal contractor, Advanced Geothermal, helped us crystalize our thoughts on this topic by referring us to an accessible piece on mechanical ventilation, “Ventilation Options for Green Homes.” We opted to go the HRV (heat recovery ventilator, sometimes referred to as ERV, energy recovery ventilator) route and are utilizing it to optimize the distribution of heated/cooled air, as well as to refresh our indoor air.Passive Heating/Cooling
The architectural plan was designed to bring in as much natural light as possible through transoms, solar tubes, bay windows, and tall windows. This approach gives us some passive solar heating benefit in the cooler months. We have light and heat-blocking shades in most of the windows to keep things cool in the summer, however.
Any special HVAC systems worth mentioning? Describe them
See above.
Explain your water conservation strategies
We believe we are the first residential project in IL to petition the state and approve a plumbing code variance for installation of a greywater system to conserve 25% of indoor water use by diverting water from tubs and showers into the flushing of toilets. We use a 1000 gallon recessed rainwater harvesting system and 4 rain barrels to capture rainwater for outside irrigation. The property is entirely permeable, using permeable pavers, gravel and natural landscaping. The landscape is Conservation at Home certified, and comprised our drought-resistant plantings (including a very small lawn area that is a drought-resistant grass cultivar called Black Beauty). All toilets but one are Niagara Stealth, which uses 0.8 gallons of water per flush (compared to the standard 1.6 gallons per flush). Appliances, including shower fixtures and dishwasher, are Energy Star certified.
Explain your materials & durability strategies
Materials and finishes are reclaimed, recycled, and/or locally-sourced when possible.Many finishes — including flooring, countertops, tile, sink bowls, toilets, and more — were obtained through Green Home Experts. They carry wonderful, often local, sustainable products and are a pleasure to work with (Owner Maria Onesto Moran — or, Design Manager, Taylor Littrell).

Some materials and finishes (doors, door hardware, a toilet and sink, mudroom lockers) were obtained at:
Jan’s Antiques
Salvage One
Craigslist

Reclaimed Materials

Mud room lockers were purchased from http://chicago.craigslist.org/, after being cast off by a high school in Indiana.
99% of interior doors are reused from original home, or locally procured from salvage (via http://chicago.craigslist.org/) from a warehouse in Wisconsin that had earmarked them for landfill; the “new” (salvaged) doors are made from Hemlock wood.
90% of interior door knobs/hardware are reused from the original home, or salvaged/reclaimed.
Master Bathroom door is reclaimed and local, from salvage; was an office door from downtown Chicago.
Many of the landscaping elements from the original garden (bricks, fencing, stumps from recently trimmed trees, etc are reused in the updated sustainable garden design).

Local Wood Flooring
The flooring in the old part of the house is original to the home (local, reclaimed), and was re-sealed (see Robio Monocoat below) for durability and protection. All new wood flooring was sourced locally at the Indiana plant of Missouri-based Smith Flooring.

Wood Floor Stains & Sealants
Floor stains and sealants are by Robio Monocoat, which supports LEED and develops “plant-based, VOC-free and completely non-toxic oil finishes of extraordinary durability. All Monocoat finishes are easily maintained, and provide a subtle lustre that reveals and complements, rather than covers, the natural grain and patina of the wood.”

Wood Trim/Door Stains & Sealants
Safecoat Durostain was used to stain all the wood and door trim in the new part of the home. Durostain “fast-curing flat finish, semi-transparent stain promotes penetration of porous surfaces and has high adhesion for superior protection as a decorative colorant. It has excellent pigmentation stability and is a durable stain. It contains no aniline dyestuffs, no gilsonite or asphalt, no aromatic solvents and no formaldehyde.” This product is SCS Indoor Advantage certified and LEED qualified.

Interior Paints
Paints by AFM Safecoat — in zero VOC, fast curing Pearl — is SCS Indoor Advantage certified and LEED qualified. Safecoat is “the leading provider of environmentally responsible, sustainable and non-polluting paints, stains, wood finishes, sealers and related green building products… (they aim to) set the standard for protecting personal health through reduced toxicity.”

Interior Painting
Dwayne Ferrell at Stroke of Art Painting and Varnishing utilized water-based and O-VOC varnishes, sealants, and paints throughout our home when painting walls & ceilings, and staining wood trim and doors.

Exterior Painting
Andrew Schlacks and his crew, our exterior painters, were professional, efficient, fast, and affordable. We highly recommend them.
Detail the health and indoor environmental quality benefits
From a health standpoint, natural daylighting is maximized with many large windows, transoms, and solar tubes. Indoor air quality is maximized with 0-VOC sealants, varnishes, and paints, and an HRV (heat recovery ventilator) system optimizes heat distribution and refreshes indoor air.
Tell us about your place or location strategies
Designed and built with an eye toward sustainable, practical, healthy living by its family of 5, the home was “GreenBuilt” on a modest urban lot with immediate (walkable) access to public transportation; community resources/retail; and open, public green spaces. The community in which we live quite urban, 2 blocks from the Chicago border, and 2 blocks from the green line elevated transit line into downtown Chicago. The Walkscore of our location is 82. The surrounding community is very bike-friendly, and we bike often around town but one of us also commutes to downtown Chicago by bike or by running fairly frequently. This project was an infill, and we never considered new construction, wanting to keep the footprint of the project itself as low as possible.
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Clean Energy Credit Union – New GHI membership benefit!

Well, it is not often we add new benefits but this one we are really excited about!

As a GreenHome Institute member, as well as your clients, are now eligible to join Clean Energy Credit Union (www.cleanenergycu.org), an online-only financial institution that focuses exclusively on providing loans for clean energy products and services such as electric vehicles, solar electric systems, geothermal systems, green home improvements, and electric bicycles.  Clean Energy Credit Union envisions a world where everyone can participate in the clean energy movement, and it helps fulfill this vision by:

(a) making it easier for everyone to afford to use clean energy (or save energy) by offering loans with better terms; and

(b) making it easier for everyone to invest in the clean energy movement by offering federally insured deposit opportunities whereby the deposits are solely used to help others pursue their clean energy projects.

In case it helps, here’s some background about credit union membership eligibility requirements:  although credit unions provide similar services as banks, they are different from banks in many ways. For example, a credit union is a not-for-profit, financial services cooperative that exists solely to serve its members and to fulfill its mission, whereas a bank exists to maximize financial returns for its stockholders. Another difference is that a bank can serve the general public whereas a credit union can only serve its “field of membership,” which is defined by regulators as the people and entities that are legally eligible to join the credit union. Ultimately, a credit union’s field of membership is comprised of one or more groups of people and entities that all have something in common that binds them together in some way. Many credit unions have a field of membership that includes people who work for a certain employer, or who live in a certain geographic area, or who are members of the same professional association or religious organization.  Clean Energy Credit Union’s field of membership consists of mission-aligned organizations like Greenhome Institute that are partners in working to grow the clean energy movement.

GHI will continue to help you breakdown the barriers to upfront costs for energy effecient and net zero housing!

Learn about our GHI membership here and all our benefits!

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Pembroke Passive Solar Achieves GreenStar New Construction Gold

Give a summary of the project
This is a 1,872 square foot single family all electric house on 20 acres of black oak savanna in Kankakee County in the Kankakee Sands area. The house with its unique butterfly roof which provides a structure for both a solar 3.6 photovoltaic system and a solar hot water system. The roof also acts as a large gutter for rainwater collection with a 2500 gal cistern. The house is very energy efficient with double-framed R47 walls and an R-68 roof assembly. The triple-glazed Zola windows and doors provide a highly efficient fenestration system. The majority of the windows are located on the south side with an eight-foot roof overhang providing shading in the summer and allowing solar gain during the fall, winter and spring seasons. There is a concrete floor which acts as a heat sink and also has a radiant heating system tied into the solar thermal system. A necessary ERV system provides fresh air and ventilation in this very tight house. A garden with many native plants provides a transition from the house and its garden to the black oak savanna.
Give us success stories as well as lessons learned
The house has been very efficient in energy use. It is also is a very happy house with the colors of the house and the garden. Purchasing the Zola windows and doors was a very good choice in windows.A couple of things that we would have done differently: we would have increased the size of the solar PV system and perhaps reduced the size of the thermal system, also we would have decreased the thickness of the concrete floor from eight to five inches.
Tell us what is unique or innovative about this project
I think the butterfly roof provides a unique look and also provides a good design and structure for the solar and passive aspects of the house.
Any special thermal envelop, insulation or passive heating & cooling details?
1. The entire house has three inches of closed cell foam on its perimeter. The dense-pack cellulose provides the remainder of the insulation.
2. The house was designed to be a solar collector itself with most of the windows on the south with a large overhang and with dark concrete floors to absorb the solar radiation.
Any special HVAC systems worth mentioning? Describe them
1. The only heating system is a radiant heating system tied into the solar thermal system.
2. Also, there is an ERV system for ventilation.
Explain your water conservation strategies
1. I have 2500 gal cistern for rainwater. This is for irrigation of the garden.
2. All the plumbing fixtures are water saving devices.
3. Also, the garden is being planted with native plants which will not require as much watering or irrigation.
Explain your materials & durability strategies
1. The house was designed for durability.
2. The exterior is a traditional stucco finish with integral color
3. The roof is 35-year shingles with large overhangs which pushes any water away from the house.
4. The interior floors are concrete, with simple trim, oak doors, and life-time cabinetry.
Detail the health and indoor environmental quality benefits
1. There is an ERV system for ventilation and good air quality, which is necessary as the house is very tight with a 1.2 ACH
2. All the paint was non-voc paint
3. All the appliances are electric with no combustion gas in the house.
Tell us about your place or location strategies
The house is located on a lot that had a previous house that was demolished. The house is located on the site where no trees were removed and where the garden could be interfaced with the surrounding black-oak savanna. It is a country house located 25 to 30 miles from any city.
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Prickly Pear Sanctuary goes GreenStar Platinum

Give a summary of the project
A single story home with no basement, and a 2 car garage connected by a breezeway. The home is designed to be zero-energy, barrier-free, and the homeowners plan to age in place, with an aging mother living with them.
Give us success stories as well as lessons learned
We are particularly happy with how well the home is situated on the lot, minimizing the disruption to mature trees; while maximizing Southern exposure for both the ground-mounted PV panels and the passive solar design of the home itself. The ICF walls are very straight and flat, which made the rest of the construction smooth. Our ceiling air barrier and mechanical chase detail eliminated over 130 separate penetrations through the drywall; promoting a durable, efficient, and healthy environment.
We waited some time for the Chiltrix air-to-water heat pump to arrive from overseas. This delayed our Certificate of Occupancy unnecessarily; if we use it again we will order it MUCH sooner!
Tell us what is unique or innovative about this project
The design of the Frost Protected Shallow Foundation allowed minimal excavation/site disruption while maintaining energy efficiency and quality standards.
The aforementioned variable vapor barrier/mechanical chase used on the ceiling.
Tilt-and-turn windows offer great cross-ventilation without the typical concerns about rain entry or wind damage.
This home is all electric, and is expected to produce as much as it consumes annually.
Great pains were taken to ensure the home is airtight, then an HRV powered by an ECM is used to provide the correct amount of fresh air. It’s operation is controlled by the levels of CO2 in the air, plus owner input.
Polished concrete floors provide low-maintenance, non-slip, high gloss beauty.
Every entrance is zero-step.
Any special thermal envelop, insulation or passive heating & cooling details?
The building utilizes ThermalStar rigid insulation coupled with open cell spray foam for the wall system. Putty pads were used for all device boxes located in the exterior, corridor, and demising walls and close attention was paid to air sealant caulking for individual apartments. There are no bridges in the thermal envelope, with ICF walls, underslab insulation, 0.8 air changes per hour at 50 pascals, and plentiful insulation all around.
Any special HVAC systems worth mentioning? Describe them
We utilized passive solar heating and cooling, with special triple pane window glazing and right-sized overhangs. An air-to-water heat pump provides heating, cooling, and domestic hot water.
Explain your water conservation strategies
New Niagra toilet model that uses less water than most by half. Furthermore, the roof has gutters that drain into 9 rain barrels for about 600 gallons of water storage that is used to water the landscaping.
Explain your materials & durability strategies
Durability comes from preventing things from getting wet, and letting them dry out when they do get wet! We used concrete for all the exterior walls, with large roof overhangs and good landscape sloping. The siding is LP SmartSide that is triple protected against moisture damage. We have tested various flashing tapes and spend the money on the good stuff from Germany. This develops an amazing bond with the ICF walls that only strengthens with time.
Pre-molded sill pans were used under all windows to prevent moisture damage to the window sills.
We prefer to spend more time detailing the things that matter, even though they get covered up and nobody knows. Details matter, and help us sleep at night because we know we have done everything right!
Detail the health and indoor environmental quality benefits
There is no flooring to off-gas; as we used polished concrete. The paints are low or no VOC, and we eliminated most of the plywood typically used. So the indoor sources of VOC’s are either eliminated or greatly reduced. By ensuring the home is airtight, we eliminate any allergens from entering through infiltration.
An HRV prevents stale air from building up in the home, constantly providing a stream of fresh air while removing stale air and VOC build-up. A sensor detects when the system is not keeping up with CO@ levels, and automatically controls the HRV speed.

Project Team Details 

Designer – Eric Hughes of Image Design www.imagedesignarch.com
Builder – Jake Vierzen of R-Value Homes www.rvaluehomes.com
HERS rating – John Kuiper of The Home Energy Assessor

Project Basics 

Project Type: Single Family

Project Certification Details 

Certification Program: GreenStar Certified New Construction
Level: Platinum
HERS Index Rating: 7

HERS Report
GreenStar Worksheet

GreenStar™  FACTS

November 2018

PLATINUM CERTIFIED

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Pearl Residence Achieves LEED Platinum

Give a summary of the project
This LEED Platinum home is all-electric, set up for aging in-place as well as having a minimal environmental footprint, and is located in a great walkable community. It is situated on the owner’s original double lot. The two existing 1950’s era homes were carefully deconstructed for material recycling. Reclaimed materials from many local sources were used in the new home included vintage scalloped wall paneling, a vintage cast iron tub and laundry sink. Nearly all of the new construction material was USA made.While larger than the neighboring homes, its massing is split into two primary elements that relate to the neighborhood’s scale and rhythm. These two masses are joined by a butterfly roof formed from a series of curved glulams, which logically define the interior spaces.

Aging in-place strategies were incorporated such as single floor living, flush floors, a lap pool for fitness, blocking for future grab bars, and wide clearances at doors and hallways. A guest suite doubles as a future caregivers space.

For resiliency, a battery back up system, powered by a 7.2kW solar array, is pre-wired to supply critical loads during outages. The entire roof has ‘Ice and Water Shield’ in case of high wind roof damage. Oversized gutters and downspouts handle potential extreme storms.

The landscaping utilizes native plantings and is designed to retain 100% of the stormwater on site via rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavers and Cultec rechargers. A 2’ perimeter river rock band serves as a pest management strip.
Give us success stories as well as lessons learned
The home was energy modeled with a resulting pEUI that is 70% below the 2003 baseline, making it one of only 331 reported projects in the 2030 Commitment to achieve the targeted 70% or better level.
Tell us what is unique or innovative about this project
The home is all electric, without a natural gas line coming in. This was done as a way to not use fracked natural gas. Following this theme, the owner found an electronic fireplace (one that projects images of a fire) that is centered on the stone fireplace wall in the great room.Additionally, to the greatest extent possible, the materials used in the home were made in the USA.

The existing two homes were environmentally deconstructed by Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse. Several materials from the existing 1950’s home were incorporated into the new home. Among these were a 1950’s bathtub, scalloped knotty pine paneling, a laundry sink and the kitchen faucet.

The home is also set up for aging in place with single floor living, a zero threshold shower, and wide hallways and doors.
Any special thermal envelop, insulation or passive heating & cooling details?
The perimeter wall system consists of 2×6’s filled with rockwool, with 2″ of rigid expanded polystyrene on the exterior of the wall. Furring strips were set atop of the rigid insulation and Boral and James Hardie cement fiberboard siding were installed over the furring strips.The passive cooling system consists of several operable windows throughout the house that work in conjunction with remote-controlled clerestory windows set up at the top of the very high great room. A ‘Big Ass Fan’ assists with the air movement in that space.
Any special HVAC systems worth mentioning? Describe them
We used all electric mini-split system for the project. There were a total of five systems that allow for pinpoint thermal control. A DesertAire humidification system was used in the sealed resistance pool room.A series of five zoned air source heat pump electric HVAC systems, controlled by phone-based apps, are used throughout and rated to be operational down to at least -20ºF. An energy efficient integrated ERV system ensures a high quality of indoor air quality.

This array of high-performance strategies attained a 70% predicted EUI reduction from baseline, from a 49.5 kBtu/sf/yr level down to 15 kBtu/sf/yr, making it one of only 331 national projects in the AIA’s 2017 2030 Commitment submittals that achieved the Commitment’s current 70% reduction target. Without the onsite renewables, the predicted EUI is 23 kBtu/sf/yr.
Explain your water conservation strategies
The strategy was to manage 100% of the rainwater in a 2″ rain event to be able to infiltrate that amount of water on the property and to keep it from entering the larger stormwater system.The way this was accomplished was by building a rain swale that took care of the 487 square foot impervious concrete driveway surface. Additionally, pervious pavement was used for the front entrance and back patio which were equivalent to 366 square feet of pervious paving for the entry area and 507 square feet pervious paving at the rear patio.

Furthermore, there are rain gardens to manage roof runoff from five allocated roof areas. The sixth roof runoff area goes into a smaller area of the property and is sequestered utilizing Cultec Rechargers to manage the 964 gallons of water underground.

There is one 60 gallon rain barrel that was installed to help water annuals located in the backyard.

There are only 287 square feet of drought-tolerant turf grass which is only 4% of the landscaped area. 95% of the plants that were selected are drought resistant.

The percent precipitation managed on site is 150% of a 2″ storm event from the roof runoff and impervious surfaces. The percent of wastewater reused on site is 0%. The irrigation system utilizes drip irrigation techniques to minimize water usage. The percent annual regulated potable water use in the designed landscape water requirement is a 93% reduction in water use from the baseline calculated by the EPA WaterSense® New Homes Specification – Water Budget Tool. The annual regulated potable water use is 19.1 gallons per s.f./year. The irrigation numbers are based on the first year establishments needs of the plants and will go down in subsequent years.

Dual flush toilets and WaterSense® fixtures were used throughout. There is a smaller resistance pool that uses a non-chlorine mixture to clean the pool.
Explain your materials & durability strategies
The two existing homes that were on site were carefully deconstructed by the Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse (ERW). Training was provided during the deconstruction process by ERW for disadvantaged members of the community. Several materials from the existing 1950’s home were incorporated into the new home. Among these were a 1950’s bathtub, scalloped knotty pine paneling, a laundry sink and the kitchen faucet.As part of the LEED process, there was a serious emphasis that nearly every piece of construction material was made in the US.

The siding is comprised of two environmentally conscious siding materials. The upper siding is cement fiberboard, made with waste wood. The main siding on the house is from Boral is made from fly ash, which is the primary byproduct of burning coal.

Exposed structural glulam beams support the butterfly roof. The glulam beams are more resource efficient relative to solid framing as they are comprised of smaller structural elements glued together.

In keeping with the fossil fuel free concept, there is an ‘electronic fireplace’, which features a dancing flame image projected onto a screen set back from a mesh screen. A heat option allows for electric heat when desired.

The kitchen countertop and the backsplash tiles were made from reclaimed materials. Several light fixtures were also repurposed. Low and no VOC sealants, adhesives and paints were used throughout.

The siding is comprised of two environmentally conscious siding materials. The upper siding is cement fiberboard, made with waste wood. The main siding on the house is from Boral is made from fly ash, which is the primary byproduct of burning coal.

Exposed structural glulam beams support the butterfly roof. The glulam beams are more resource efficient relative to solid framing as they are comprised of smaller structural elements glued together.
Detail the health and indoor environmental quality benefits
The interior materials are all low or no V.O.C. finishes and adhesives. There are no added formaldehydes in the cabinetry.The kitchen countertop and the backsplash tiles were made from reclaimed materials. Several light fixtures were also repurposed. Low and no VOC sealants, adhesives and paints were used throughout.

An ERV system provides fresh air throughout the house.
Tell us about your place or location strategies
This home is located very close to local Evanston and Chicago bus routes, and the Skokie Swift portion of the ‘El’ abuts the rear property line. The ‘El’ terminal is one mile away, and the bus routes are 0.2 miles away. There are a number of restaurants and stores in the area, which gives the site a walk score of 65 and a transit score of 54.This home was specifically designed for a single woman and has a two car garage, so there are two spaces per occupant. However, there are four bedrooms, so a family of four or more would likely be in there in the future, thereby having two spaces for four or more people.

The garage is prewired for two electric car chargers. The owner currently drives the very efficient Prius C car.
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“THE 2100” Gets LEED Gold Certified

Give a summary of the project
THE 2100 is a 97-unit luxury apartment project that was completed in March of 2018. It includes four stories of apartments built on top of two floors of structured parking. The site area is 1.42 acres. The unit mix includes studio, one, and two-bedroom units. The project is an infill project that involved re-use of a site formerly improved with a functionally obsolete first-generation suburban office building.
Give us success stories as well as lessons learned
There were a number of hurdles that had to be cleared to make the project a success. The site is on a major thoroughfare but is also next to a residential neighborhood. The development team worked closely with the City of Wauwatosa to account for neighborhood concerns to achieve success in getting the site rezoned. The existing building on the site had to be razed, which required navigating through some minor environmental clean-up. The City required improvement of access infrastructure as part of the project, so the development team worked with the City to structure TIF funding to make this feasible. Project funding was achieved by obtaining a mortgage insurance commitment via HUD’s 221(d)(4) program, which had some incentives for green construction. This was not an easy project! The main lessons learned included the need for patience and perseverance to get something like this done, along with having a good team with the right people.
Tell us what is unique or innovative about this project
THE 2100 is only the third market-rate apartment project in the Metro Milwaukee Area to receive LEED certification and is the first such suburban project. It involved re-use of a more difficult in-fill site in somewhat of a pioneering location. Building design had to account for the high-traffic location on Mayfair Road as well the adjoining residential neighborhood. Features to address the former included a high noise attenuation window system, a denser wall system, and extensive use of sound and thermal insulation. The neighborhood side of the site was extensively landscaped to soften building impact. An extra parcel of land was purchased adjacent to the building delivery doors for truck and delivery parking to minimize any inconvenience to neighbors. The project has unique features like electric car charging stations and green infrastructure features (e.g. green roof).
Any special thermal envelop, insulation or passive heating & cooling details?
We believe part of the LEED approach is quality. A LEED-certified project is simply a better-quality project. We elected to use a wall system that made extensive use of Nichiha architectural panels with the balance of brick and decorative CMU’s. The framing is all 2″X6″ with extensive insulation. We also used a high noise attenuation window system for superior sound insulation qualities.
Any special HVAC systems worth mentioning? Describe them
Units all have individual HVAC units rated as having exceptional energy efficiency. In addition, all units have programmable thermostats to allow customized set-back on heat or cooling for energy savings.
Explain your water conservation strategies
Our water strategies are twofold. As far as domestic water use, all fixtures and fittings are high-efficiency. This applies to our site landscaping irrigation as well. In addition, THE 2100 received recognition from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage district for its stormwater management features in the form of a green infrastructure grant. Such features include a green roof over part of the structured parking, use of porous pavers, a bioswale, and use of “thirsty” native plant species for landscaping.
Explain your materials & durability strategies
Materials strategies included off-site framing assembly in a factory environment, which greatly reduced waste. Environmentally preferable materials were used wherever practicable. The exterior wall system of Nichiha panels and masonry is a heavy-duty, durable system. Parking lot paving is concrete as opposed to asphalt. The green roof has an electronic leak detection system “just in case” to deal with any problems in a manner to minimize overall system disturbance if a repair is needed. The building participates in local recycling as part of its trash collection. The site itself is, in effect, recycled since it involved redevelopment of a site previously improved with a first-generation suburban office building.
Detail the health and indoor environmental quality benefits
Materials used (e.g. flooring, paints, etc.) were environmentally preferable where possible to minimize or eliminate off-gassing, VOC issues, etc. Sustainable sourcing was also used where possible (e.g. bamboo flooring in common areas). Air infiltration and Indoor air flow are items monitored and graded during the LEED rating process and THE 2100 passed with flying colors.
Tell us about your place or location strategies
The site of THE 2100 is an infill site involving redevelopment of that site to a higher and better use that is more sustainable. It is located at the geographic center of the Metro Milwaukee area. It is in a high-traffic location with access to public transportation that is two blocks south of the Milwaukee Area’s premier regional mall. In addition, a node that includes the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (consortium of six healthcare institutions employing 16,000 people), the Milwaukee County Research Park (two million SF of offices, 4,500 employees, home to GE Healthcare’s US HQ, etc.), and the University of Wisconsin’s Innovation Campus is within five minutes of THE 2100. However, the site also abuts a residential neighborhood. Thus, the location has urban amenities (e.g. complete array of shopping opportunities and entertainment venues, public transport, easy access to employment centers,etc.) but yet there is a natural parkway with a creek within a half-block. Location strategy? Simply to take advantage of these location attributes with a sustainable project that is a worthy addition to the community and surrounding neighborhood.
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10 tested pro-tips to getting to zero energy

Getting to zero energy is easier now than ever. Costs are coming down and building codes are changing so the bar is already set higher. Return on investment in these types of homes are coming quicker as energy prices begin to climb. According to the Net zero energy coalition there over 13,000 units and a 70% gain of zero energy or zero ready homes in 2017 over 2016

But what makes a building zero energy and how can it be done?

First, you need to know the terminology. 

Net zero, zero net energy, net zero energy, zero energy buildings, net positive, no utility bill, zero energy ready, off grid…. to name a few. So many terms out there, it really is the wild west.

So how do we define it?

Let’s start with what net zero is not 

It’s not…

  • Offsetting electric bills from lighting and appliances only
  • It’s not having battery systems
  • A HERS Index of 0
  • It’s not being off grid
  • It’s not buying renewable energy credits

It’s also not being a LEED Platinum or all-electric home either, THOUGH, those may help. We will get to that later

So what is it? 

A zero energy home is one that uses on-site renewable energy to produce at least as much energy as consumed over the course of a full year

Easy 

But how does the market know it is net zero? How do you prove it?

3rd party, independent certification systems can help

  • International Living Future Institute Zero Energy Certification
  • Passive House (PHIUS) Source Zero
  • Earth Advantage Zero Energy Certification
  • GHI – Zero Energy Capable
  • DOE or GHI Zero Energy ready (for those who cannot afford renewables yet!)

But how do we achieve these lofty certifications and where do we start?

Based on several projects we have seen over the years have been able to compile a list of the top 10 pro tips to getting zero energy with ease. These tips are mostly in order of importance, however, some can change depending on your local opportunities, challenges or whether you are doing renovations vs new.

  1. Commit.
  2. Know what you are working with
  3. Befriend the sun
  4. Right-sized spaces
  5. Aim for passive house
  6. Why guess when you can know?
  7. Electrify everything
  8. Be picky but smart.
  9. Go green.
  10. Reduce and then produce!1. Commit

Commitment is key. You cannot make the challenge unless you are on board. We need the whole team. The owner, developer, building manager, builder, designer, HVAC and yes, even the landscape architect will play a role. Sure, there will be some naysayers and that is ok, they will challenge you along the way to ensure you are thinking through your decisions. Getting the team together for a few preliminary design meetings and defining roles and task always helps. Maybe the people being hired on the job should also sign a contract or have it in their contract to hit zero. When looking to hire look for those involved in green building or zero energy projects on their resume. Everybody plays a role and it is important that everyone understand how they contribute to the goal and how it is connected to others role. Having clear communication and intent from the start is the biggest hurdle and yet the easiest place to start when getting to zero.

  1. Know what you are working with

You have to know what renewable resources are available on the site you plan to build or renovate on or if you are luckily enough to have a choice, you can select a lot based on its supreme renewable energy resources. Now you may want to assess wind, sun, water and earth for your energy but for the most part, projects are usually only going to benefit from the sun and earth, based on current technology. So unless you are next to a large body of water, running stream or are in a very windy rural area. Solar and geothermal are going to be the way to go and what we discuss here.

With solar, you can easily use the National Renewable Energy Laboratory PV watts program to determine the solar income of the site. You can see what energy is hitting the site or an existing structure and determine then how much energy is needed. This is important because it tells you how much renewable energy is available on that site and tells you the constraints you are working in to get to zero or what you may need to do find other renewable resources. PV watts has nothing to sell you either, it is a federally backed program that gives you information. Many areas have solar PV experts and installers who can also assess the site, many times for free as well.

When it comes to earth we are talking geothermal HVAC (aka ground source heat pumps). Ideally, you are looking for a site with some acreage where you ideally do not need to remove trees or where you plan to remove them for the project. In this case, a very small body of water may actually improve the geothermal performance. If you have an existing lot, a small lot or one that is very wooded where you don’t want to kill trees, the geothermal expert will recommend drilling vertically. Don’t forget to check local regulations for how close you can drill to someone’s property or what is below! Geothermal is defiantly not necessary on all zero energy projects but we will get to that later.

  1. Befriend the sun

The sun can be your friend or your enemy. Most homes these days just try to keep it out. Keeping glass off the south end. That’s a good start but you can also use it to your advantage. In cold weather climates, the sun goes high in the summer and you can use overhangs or smart curtain systems to easily keep it from coming in the home and overheating it. Energy star certified roofs too help reflect it out as well. In the winter time, you want that low sun coming into the house. It can be used to heat concrete floors, Trombe wall systems and/or thermal mass walls such as concrete, rammed earth or straw. This will radiate heat back out at night if designed correctly. Passive ventilation/cooling can be done using the proper placement of windows to strategically keep occupants cool in the offseason.

Check out some free passive solar design-based tools here. Using these methods can easily cut energy use in homes and buildings, sometimes for less or no additional cost and require no maintenance. Bonus, overhangs improve the life of doors and windows and so there is a 2 for 1 there.

  1. Right-sized homes & spaces

This is very important because most of our energy is used by simply heating, cooling and ventilating space. Imagine if you can design a home that heats less space but feels just as large? Nationally, Sarah Susanka discusses the not so big house concept but in Grand Rapids Urbaneers are already at work with products like moveable walls, wall beds, adjustable kitchen islands, Milwork + storage, compact & prefab kitchens to name a few. This home in Portland, OR is an extreme example of right sized living and making the best use of space.  Minimal surface to volume area may mean 2 story homes vs longer 1 story homes or just, to be honest, encourages multifamily as opposed to single family for more efficient usage of space in urban areas. Just look around online for countless of examples of doing more with less and therefore demanding less energy.

  1. Almost passive house

Passive house has the most rigorous standards that are climate appropriate in the US based on where you are at. These include low energy demand, a super tight building shell and low energy per person per year. They give good estimates on the R value of insulation/windows from under the ground to the attic. Try your best to follow these to get to a low demand building before thinking about the mechanical systems. Learn more on the PHIUS website. Innovations in this area include Structurally Insulated Framing Systems (SIFS) that are affordable ways to still build a conventional home or building but save a lot of energy in the walls. When you have a super tight house you need to make sure you are using balanced ventilation and fresh air which can take energy but there is a smart ventilation system that runs very low but only ramps up when poor air quality is detected in the home. A good way to save energy and keep clients healthier in almost passive house projects.

  1. Why guess when you can know?

Now that you have your designs thought through well-using steps 1 – 5 you might just be crossing your fingers you made it but why guess? Energy modeling has now moved from an art to a science. We can now model with over 90% accuracy and predict how much energy a building will use. During the design process, you can hire an energy rater to come up with a preliminary model that shows a 0 consumption. As the plans change, communicate with the rater so they can make sure you are still on track. Then the same rater will do inspections during pre-drywall and final to ensure what is in the model actually was installed. For existing homes you would do an energy inspection to get a starting place. These things are typically already required by code and may get incentives. The most popular tool for lowrise residential buildings is REMrate (HERS Rating) and this software can show what parts of the design are performing well or underperforming. A good HERS rater will help you find cost-effective ways to reduce energy in those areas to get the home to zero. Other tools are the DOE Home Energy Score for renovations, WUFI passive for all project types and ASHRAE 90.1 or Level II for larger buildings and commercial. Make sure you get a good rater who knows what they are doing.

  1. Electrify everything!

Eliminating combustion ensures your HVAC maximizes energy efficiency and uses energy that can be directly offset by renewable energy. These systems are also now price competitive with fossil fuel systems. Typically we are talking heat pumps for heating, cooling and water heating. They can be air source, ground source (geothermal) or some combination of the 2. Ductless mini splits can eliminate the cost of expensive ductwork and air source heat pump furnaces only require one device that works like reverse air conditioning in with winter. Geothermal (aka – Ground Source Heat Pumps) is the most expensive and needed to get older existing homes or larger homes to 0. They also come with a 30% tax deduction for several more years. Most gas furnaces are oversized if you are following the above steps and so these electric HVAC systems are typically smaller to fit the lower demand. For water heating, heat pumps now are the most efficient and can be used to dehumidify or be ducted to stop it from taking the energy your clients paid for from the indoors. Going all-electric is a new concept in many areas but the latest report from Rocky Mountain Institute and another from NREL shows a lot of dollar savings to be had. A whole Facebook group is dedicated now to strategies to electrify all our buildings. Come join us here. 

  1. Get picky but be smart

At this point you have likely removed 80 to 90% of the energy use of a home through good design and better HVAC. Now it’s time to work with your clients, homeowners, and tenants to get real (really!) picky.

Use very low watt LEDS ( 4 to 8) lamps, light switch or bulb ready motion / photo sensors / dimmers, and all energy star appliances. Make use of low flow devices, hot water pipe wrap, and smart power management systems. Have instant utility usage information on a per plug basis which shows how much energy you are using. Ceiling fans can help keep you cool as opposed to AC. Try induction stoves which cook just like gas and are way more energy efficient because they heat pans only when needed. Use heat pump dryers which are the most efficient and work great.  As a builder/designer, you can specify these systems and have a homeowner training/manual to show your clients how to operate these systems to keep energy usage to zero.  Developers, landlords and owners can continuously train new and existing tenants and use green leases or energy competitions to keep bills low!

  1. Go Green!

Building green gives you guidance on how and what to do. Most green programs have a checklist you can follow to keep you on track. Typically, tight homes can cause health issues so green building gives you health strategies to follow. Following the indoor air quality requirements keep your clients safe, healthy and alive! Water conservation is also a big part of green building, this keeps utility bills low and can play a role in keep energy bills low too for hot water demand. Using a green certification increases home value + tenant retainment and is an easy way to communicate sustainability goals and a fall back if you just don’t make it all the way to zero. For a comparison of all the green certifications and which is right for you and you clients, go here.

  1. Reduce and now produce!

Say it with me.

Reduce.

Reduce.

Before you… Produce

Let’s face it, renewable energy is expensive and needs a lot of infrastructure. So by following all those other steps you now just reduced your demand so low for energy that you really don’t need that much solar. Before you even go solar in your project you can wire the electrical system to the roof, increase the size of the breaker box and make sure there is proper roof orientation or open space for a ground mount is there to add enough solar. This is called a zero energy ready and am an easy place to start. DOE has created a solar-ready checklist you can use on your next project.

Once the owner has the funds to go solar they can simply add a small amount in the future and achieve zero energy with minimal efforts. Obviously going solar during the project will be the easiest and cheapest to do right away but it’s not always feasible. Designed right you should only need between 5 – 12 KW of solar pv depending on your climate, home size and location. There now are affordable shingles that also double as solar panels. Imagine getting rid of toxic asphalt shingles for your clients and replacing it with money generating solar energy shingles that can also the get 30% federal tax deduction? That is a win/win.

If your client is looking to use an electric car or have a battery backup system during power outages, you may be considering a larger system to handle the electric carloads in the future, you can do that part in the energy model in #5 and survey your clients on their driving habits. Check out this family in MN powering their cars and home all on electric and solar. Some call it the new American Dream.

Ultimately, if done right, getting to zero energy should be affordable for everyone, especially in new builds and major renovations. While there is typically an added costs, folks like greenspaces in TN are challenging that notion and partner with builders to build market-rate cost competitive zero energy homes and it is working.

Are you up for the challenge? 

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Rethke Terrace Gets LEED Platinum Certified

Give a summary of the project
Heartland’s newest development, which opened in June 2016, offers 60 studio apartments for individuals that are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Our greenest development yet will also offer residents a robust set of on-site services to help support their transition to being housed.QUICK FACTS

Financing: 9% LIHTC, City of Madison, Dane County, project-based Housing Choice Vouchers, Federal Home Loan Bank AHP, The Home Depot Foundation
60 units
Single residents aged 18 and older
Total development cost: $8.9 million
Give us success stories as well as lessons learned
Rethke Terrace is our first LEED platinum project and will be the first PHIUS+ certified multifamily project in the Midwest. Its gross construction cost was $165/sf and averages $760/unit/year in gas and electric cost. We can compare this to our most recent similar development, Capuchin Apts., A 39 unit supportive housing development in Milwaukee which was certified Enterprise Green Communities. Its gross construction cost was $172/sf and the building averages $1,100/unit/yr in gas and electric cost.
Tell us what is unique or innovative about this project
This project utilized many design innovations that are quickly becoming best practice standards in the energy efficient multifamily segment of the market. These systems will be described in better detail below. Thanks to the many developers and designers who sharing their hard earned experience pioneering this building type. We would not have been able to successfully create our project without their advice and expertise.
Any special thermal envelop, insulation or passive heating & cooling details?
The wall assembly is a R-45 rain screen system. It is Hardi-Plank attached to 3/4″ furring strips, screwed back through 4″ of polyiso (exterior insulation) and OSB with a liquid applied air/water/vapor barrier to the 6″ studs @ 24″ O.C. The cavity is filled with typical R-21 unfaced fiberglass batt insulation. The gypboard is painted with latex paint as a class 3 vapor barrier. The windows are a vinyl U- .18 SHGC – .18. The roof is R-70, split 40 on the outside with polyiso and R-30 in the roof cavity with firberglass batt insulation. The foundation and underslab insulation is R-20 XPS.
Any special HVAC systems worth mentioning? Describe them
The project utilizes air source heat pumps, a Mitsubishi Citi Multi Hyperheat heat recovery variable refrigerant flow system. There is an electric resistance backup heat system. The ventilation system utilizes Mitsubishi Lossnay ERV in a semi decentralized layout, with two ERV’s per floor each serving seven residential units. Ventilation is a particular challenge on this project, ASHRAE minimums require 45 CFM continuous exhaust per unit while only 30 CFM supply is required. This split greatly increases the losses through the ventilation system making it very hard to meet the PHIUS+ primary energy requirement. Future projects that are majority studio units should consider direct exhausting the kitchen at 100 cfm intermittent to the outside, without an ERV and running the bath exhaust continuous through an ERV with balanced supply to the living space.
Explain your water conservation strategies
Typical low flow fixtures were selected for this project. 1.28GPF toilets, 1.5GPM faucets and shower valves. We use Cleveland Faucet Group fixtures because of their 10yr warranty. A rain garden is utilized for the majority of stormwater.
Detail the health and indoor environmental quality benefits
The project utilized low VOC paints, rubber base, mold resistant gypboard in the bathrooms, no carpeting in the units (or anywhere other than the offices and library), plywood cabinet boxes with hardwood faces, and prefinished doors. The ventilation rate is very high for the occupant load, preventing buildup of any toxins in the air.
Tell us about your place or location stratagies
The project is located on the major bus line in Madison. There are grocery stores and heath care centers along it. We also have on premise social services for our residents. The site utilizes native plantings and permiculture for its landscape. There are 18 raised bed planters for gardening use by the residents. Other on site amenities include a fitness room, a computer room, a community room for gatherings, a library, a commercial teaching kitchen, and indoor bike storage.
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LEED For Homes Milestone – Over 8,100 homes certified!

It’s been 13 years now since we (formerly AES) were named one of the original USGBC LEED for Homes providers. Since that time we have helped certify over 8,000 units, 1,700 projects and trained or with over 50 LEED Green Raters. We are thrilled to continue to ensure homes are built more efficient, health, durable and overall better through the new versions of V4 & V4.1. Make sure your next residential building project new or renovation is LEED certified by learning more here https://greenhomeinstitute.org/leed-for-homes/

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Newland Residence is Greenstar Gold Certified

Give a summary of the project
This was built as the new home for the architect and his family and, as such, is both the realization of a dream as well as a laboratory. It was intended as an exploration of what makes an honest design for contemporary Minnesota, in an urban infill setting. The design is a balance of efficiency and economy, modern and familiar, attempting to anticipate future market expectations in a straightforward, affordable way (I’m not sure we quite achieved that last goal).
It has 3 bedrooms, 1 room that could be either a bedroom or another function, and an unused space that could become a potential 5th bedroom. There are 3 baths, with a 4th unfinished. The laundry room is on the main floor. A screened porch faces the street and public sidewalk, and a roof deck faces south, flanked by green roofs that will be installed in the summer of 2018. A detached 2 car garage faces the alley, with a large storage loft above.
Give us success stories as well as lessons learned
Being able to actually realize the dream of building the house is its greatest success!  Most of the product choices are proving to have been good ones, and we believe that the house is built to last.  I was shoveling snow a few days ago and a police car stopped by me as I was doing the front sidewalk.  The officer rolled down the window and asked who the house’s architect was, then said it’s his favorite house on his patrol!  I’ll call that a success story!

One lesson learned was to only use floor trusses in the future.  The main floor is supported on I-joists and this resulted in basement soffits that could have been avoided otherwise.  Another lesson was to have done a better job documenting GreenStar requirements in the project specifications and drawings before selecting a contractor.  Not having the requirements better defined early meant more work later, or missed credits.  Finally, not building a permanent stair in the garage limits the use of the upper-level storage loft (we put in a pull-down stair).
Tell us what is unique or innovative about this project
The overall building form is scaled to the neighborhood, and the roofs maximize solar potential (on the high, steeply pitched roof) and usability (on the low, flat roof).
The main floor is completely accessible for persons with disabilities, with no steps or curbs.
Although we tore down the small house and garage that were on the property in order to build the new house, we salvaged a significant amount of material before demolition. Hundreds of components were removed and either sold, saved, or otherwise reused, including many of the plants.
Any special thermal envelop, insulation or passive heating & cooling details?
The envelope is insulated to 150% of code requirements, and I worked with a building science consultant (Third Level Design) to ensure that there wouldn’t be any condensation issues. The insulation is a combination of blown cellulose, spray-applied polyurethane, XPS, and polyisocyanurate boards. Thermal bridging is minimal.
Any special HVAC systems worth mentioning? Describe them
There is a Broan heat recovery ventilator, a high-efficiency Goodman furnace, and a high-efficiency Amana air conditioning unit, all controlled by smart Honeywell thermostats on three zones.
Explain your water conservation strategies
All plumbing fixtures are low flow.
The landscaping is a blend of turf (for some continuity with the neighboring properties) and native plantings to keep irrigation needs to a minimum. Our intention is to use rain barrels on the roof to aid in green roof irrigation.
Explain your materials & durability strategies
The exterior materials are a combination of fiber cement siding, standing seam metal roofs, and heavy TPO membrane. Decking is made of composite material with high-recycled content. Natural wood (salvaged from the old house and refinished) is limited to an accent band around the low roof as well as the screened porch interior, protected from rain and sun.
The interior flooring is a combination of factory finished hardwood, tile, and linoleum. The basement slab (with radiant heat) is painted. Doors are solid core slabs. Countertops are quartz composite. All materials were selected for practicality, ease of cleaning, and durability.
Detail the health and indoor environmental quality benefits
Nothing unusual: There is no carpeting, all paint used is low or zero-VOC, and clean lines make for easy cleaning. There are ample daylighting and extensive light wood finishes, combining for a very warm, bright interior. It is a happy, comfortable environment in which to live!
Tell us about your place or location strategies
It took us over 2 years to find the property. The house is located in a highly desirable, walkable neighborhood in Minneapolis, close to a major retail area, close to transit lines and bike paths, and less than a mile from the city’s chain of lakes. The house’s orientation is east-west, with the garage off the alley. The roofs are designed to take into account solar access and anticipate future, taller neighbors to the south. The house and garage footprints and positions maximize the amount of landscaping area despite the limited 5100 square foot property size.

LEED™ & GreenStar  FACTS

January 2018

LEED SILVER CERTIFIED

GreenStar GOLD CERTIFIED

SELECT 00*
Innovation in Design 3/11
Location & Linkages 9/10
Sustainable Sites 13.5/22
Water Efficiency 3/15
Energy & Atmosphere 24.5/38
Materials & Resources 5/16
Indoor Environmental Quality 13/21
Awareness & Education 1/3

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