2093 Balsam
• Conditioned Area: 5,000 Sq/Ft
• Walls: R24 SIP
• Ceiling: R48 SIP
• Windows: Marvin Integrity
• Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump
• Cooling: Ground Source Heat Pump
• Ventilation: Separately Ducted HRV
• Air Tightness: 0.04 NACH
• Solar: 4.9kW Photovoltaic System (PV)
Sustainably Built consulted with Adam Stevenson on this beautiful home built of SIPS and powered by a Ground Source Heat Pump and Solar PV. This 5000 SqFt home scored a 30 on the HERS scale and is estimated to have an annual utility bill of only $1400. So far, this is the most air tight home that we have tested, coming in at 0.04 Natural Air Changes per Hour (492 CFM50). It took a lot of hard work and attention to detail to reach this level. Penetrations through the roof and walls were minimized through the use of Studor vents instead of standard sewer vents. All bath fans were piped through the ERV instead of directly to the outside, and the nature of SIPs construction allowed for very little air leakage through the building envelope.
Here is what the owner, Adam Stevenson, had to say about working with us:
"Adam (Sustainably Built) is an absolute wealth of knowledge in the green building industry. He has offered perspectives and solutions to problems throughout the design and building process that will ultimately make my home a better product.
Likewise, he is quick to point out the fine line between the 'technically correct' and the actual results that said improvement might yield before I spend a lot of money on a theory or solution when there are no real net benefit in energy savings, allowing me to properly weigh out the options and not feel overwhelmed by the many choices and decisions.
My intent was always to build a green home, and I consider Adam to be a valuable asset and member of the team in helping me work through the many choices and create the home that performs the way I envision it will."
