"Our Eco Inspired Home" Green Details
Energy Efficient Features
- Projected HERS is 56, test performed by Larry Gorman with Building Energy Solution.
- Advanced Framing Envelope: framing consists of a 2X12 top and bottom plate with an
inner and outer 2X4 wall 24” on center to allow for a thermal break from the inside of
the home to the outside.
- Cellulose insulation installed by Althouse Inc. This home exceeds the high performance
requirements of level 1 insulation of the EPA’s Energy Star Program. Althouse Inc. has
been the energy consultant and insulator on over 200 Energy Star rated Buildings.
Usually work by Althouse Inc reduces the heating energy requirement by 50% while
Energy Star only requires a 30% cut versus a comparable building built to code.
* R-50 stabilized cellulose insulation in all ceilings.
* R-44 Dry dense pack cellulose in all walls.
* All thermal bypass in the framing details was blocked and sealed.
* Extensive work on skylight shaft walls, speaker box outs, Solar tubes
and other problem areas were brought into Energy Star compliance.
* Garage is fully insulated.
- Sill Sealer and Moisture Barrier between bottom plate and slab around entire perimeter
of home. Inside and outside of slab stem wall and all thickened slabs are insulated with
1 ½” XPS (7.5R value). Entire slab is thermal broken from the earth with 1 ½” XPS
(both underneath and at all perimeter).
- Passive Solar Orientation
* South/Southwest (less than 15 degrees Southwest) orientation
* Approx. 300 square feet South facing windows.
* Trombe walls made from rammed earth walls act as solar thermal
collector (3’ X 12’ in living room and 4’ X 12’ in master bedroom).
* Stained Concrete Flooring act as thermal mass collectors in living
room, dining, and kitchen.
- 93% efficient Munchkin Contender boiler.
- Energy Star Appliances
- Energy Star Ceiling fans and Energy Star outdoor lighting (outdoor sconces have built
in light sensors so only turn on when dark).
- Natural Cooling
* 2 Cooling towers
* Windows designed for cross ventilation.
* Ceiling fans in all bedrooms and living room
* Awnings/overhangs located above all South facing windows to
decrease sunlight absorption through windows in Albuquerque
Summer months.
* Deciduous trees to be planted in South and West of home for
summer time cooling.
- HVAC Design and Equipment
* All duct work rigid pipe, sealed w/low-VOC, water based sealer, and
insulated with non-fiberglass Reflextix foil bubble wrap. R-Value 6.0
with ¾ air space between duct and insulation.
* Forced air zone control which separates forced air system into two
zones- one for Master suite and the other for the rest of the home.
* 2 stage air handler with hydronic coil to be used as secondary heat
system and to keep the temperature of the radiant heated air in the
winter.
* 20 seer 2 stage air conditioner
* Installed in advanced insulated concrete slab.
* 6 Zones (allows for heating specific areas of home to minimize
consumption.)
- Electrostatic air purifier.
- Partially dedicated full home HRV system (all duct is rigid and insulated.)
- Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs in all lighting fixtures (except for kitchen
exhaust fan).
- Light Colored Stucco (to reflect heat in New Mexico's hot summer).
- White membrane roof (solar reflective in Albuquerque hot weather).
- 13 Solar Tubes installed to bring in natural light while avoiding the temperature loss
associated with skylights.
- Low-E coatings on windows, excluding south facing windows in order to capture solar
heat in cold months.
- Ready for photovoltaic and solar hot water & hydronic heating system.
- Windows and doors caulked, flashed and sealed.
- Designated switches to turn off phantom energy loss.
- Air tight recessed cans.
Sustainable, Non-Toxic Materials & Techniques
- Advanced framing techniques were used for all framing of the envelope and interior
walls. Strived for sizes that kept with 24” increments.
- All headers are engineered laminate beams that correspond to the specific loads.
- Cork flooring (renewable product) in all bedrooms.
- Concrete flooring in living room, dining, kitchen, powder bath, utility room and hallway
minimizes flooring material use.
- Cabinets in kitchen and bathroom made from sustainably harvested bamboo. Cabinets
were also locally built by local Albuquerque contractor.
- American Clay walls throughout home (low-embodied energy, natural, local, renewable,
low toxicity).
- Rammed Earth Trombe walls made from low embodied energy, natural materials.
- American Clay natural pigments used to create integral colors in kitchen
and bathroom concrete countertops.
- Cellulose insulation contains recycled paper stock.
- Interior doors and exterior front door handcrafted by local carpenter. Doors made from
U.S. grown and harvested Alder wood.
- FSC-Certified wood for baseboard.
- Sustainably harvested vigas.
- “Fencing” to be rammed earth wall.
- Cork and glass lighting fixtures (renewable and recyclable materials).
- Concrete countertops in kitchen and bathrooms, locally designed and made by
Albuquerque builder.
- Concrete stucco is locally produced in New Mexico.
- Soil to be supplemented with organic compost from Albuquerque's Soilutions (local).
- Exterior wood treated with non-toxic Lifetime Wood Treatment.
- Copper vessel sink produced by company which is SEMARNAT Certified.
Health, Safety, and Indoor Air Quality
- Low EMF (Electromagnetic Field) design.
- American Clay walls
* No-VOC product which improves indoor air quality
and protects against mold.
- Garage, bedroom closets and ceiling painted with no-VOC EnviroKote.
- Bioshield Sanded primer (for American Clay adhesion).
- All doors, windows, and cabinets stained with Bioshield low-VOC resin and oil stain
finish.
- Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets constructed from bamboo plywood (composed with E1-
level adhesives) and formaldehyde-free melamine.
- Concrete flooring penetrating sealer (Kemiko Stone Tone Sealer) conforms to LEED
guidelines.
- Concrete countertops sealed and waxed with non-toxic, water based, food-safe Cheng
Concrete products.
- Ventilation
* Energy recovery ventilator.
* Cooling towers.
* Ceiling fans.
* Second exhaust fan in kitchen.
* Range hood ventilated to the outside.
* Window placement designed for cross-ventilation.
* Positive air pressure will be achieved relative to outside of the envelope
air pressure.
- “Active-ready”- passive radon control system.
- Non-toxic cleaning supplies used to clean home.
- Duct work sealed with water-based adhesive.
- All doors leading into the heated space are covered with a roof to protect from water
and other weather related impact.
- All box outs constructed on the exterior of the envelope were constructed after the
outer shell was complete with OSB and a water barrier (Tyvek equivalent).
Water Conservation Systems
- Roof rain water catchment system
* Underground tank holds 1771 gallons of water.
* Water from bathroom sinks, tubs and showers recycled.
- All toilets are Dual Flush (.8gpm/ 1.6 gpm)
- Drought Tolerant Landscaping Strategies
* Native New Mexico vegetation.
* Drip system.
* Plants grouped with similar watering needs.
- Walkways and parking areas will be composed of permeable natural
materials
- Hot water recirculation system controlled by user on demand.
- “Flat” roof is actually a positive pitch with a white rubber membrane cover to assist in
proper drainage.
Environmental Impact
- Project is located in an Albuquerque infill site, served by existing roads, water and
sewer.
- Land to be restored and enhanced to native, drought-tolerant landscaping, friendly to
local New Mexico wildlife.
- Family integrated into Albuquerque's North Valley community
* Walking/biking distance to local library, parks, bike trails, farmers
markets, and La Montanita Coop.
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