GEOS

GEOS is a 275-unit development in Arvada that will be net-zero energy and cost-neutral. Not only will these homeowners have no utility bills (over the course of each year), the cost to purchase the units will be comparable to other developments. GEOS is a master planned community with 40% open space, parks, and trails. Designed with passive solar in mind, the heating requirements for these homes are 80-90% less than a modern built-to-code home.

The community is based on the the Passiv Haus standard created in Germany, which is now mandated building code for much of Europe. Sustainably Built has done energy modeling work for the GEOS development, as well as research and development for components of the project such as intelligent blinds, window analysis, and water heating loads. For more information on the project, visit www.discoverGEOS.com


Summerlin

Summerlin is a neighborhood development off of Airport Road and the Diagonal Highway in Longmont, CO. This project is a spec home that is being built under the LEED for Homes pilot program. It is a 4,000 sq/ft home with a full, unfinished basement. It incorporates passive solar design with a separate sunroom, has a central vaulted ceiling for passive cooling in the summer, a solar water heater, and a 4kW PV system. The architect, Andy Johnson, with DAJ Design, payed special attention to the materials specified in the house. From high-efficiency water fixtures to recycled-content carpets and low-VOC finishes, you'll seldom find a spec home as sustainable as this.

Sustainably Built performed the initial energy modeling on this project and is also the LEED rater responsible for testing and verification of the necessary point requirements. Key decisions were made on insulation and equipment sizing based on the energy modeling requirements.

Kracauer Residence

Architect Michael Kracauer of Architropic hired Sustainably Built to perform the initial energy modeling of his residence. This project is on target to be a net-zero energy home, incorporating evacuated tubes for solar thermal space and water heating, and a large photovoltaic system for electric loads and backup space heat. The passive solar design incorporates super efficient windows from Alpen, Inc. and uses a double stud wall construction technique to allow for 10" of Icynene spray foam insulation.