Premier SIPs Home Wins U.S. Department of Energy Housing Award

We’re thrilled to share that a Premier SIPs project in Coupeville, WA, has received the prestigious U.S. Department of Energy 2024 Housing Innovation Award! This award-winning project, a collaboration with Clifton View Homes (CVH) and Zero-Energy Plans LLC, showcases how sustainable design and innovative building practices can address real-world housing challenges.

The project features three identical 550-square-foot homes on a single 7,200-square-foot lot. These homes offer an affordable path to homeownership for working families while delivering big on energy efficiency. Thanks to Premier SIP construction, these homes are quick to build, cost-effective, and highly efficient.

"We received notice yesterday from the US DOE that for the sixteenth year in a row, we have earned a Housing Innovation Award (or its predecessor EVHA) for a project either built by CVH Inc. DBA Clifton View Homes, or designed by Zero-Energy Plans LLC, and built by others. Several years we have earned two or more of these awards in the same year, one of the very few Design/Build teams to have ever done so. This year's winner is a collaboration with our project owner, Jim Soules, to create some "missing middle" housing in Langley, WA, on Whidbey Island. These beautiful small homes will live big, but cost small, allowing workers of modest means to get into home ownership sooner. They are also loaded with enough solar panels to not only power themselves, but also an EV commuter car to also power the owner's transportation."  Ted Clifton 

Why SIPs Were the Perfect Choice

The nearly identical layouts of the three homes made SIP construction exceptionally efficient and quick. The pre-cut panels allowed for fast assembly, even on a tight lot, with minimal interior framing required due to the open floor plans. This streamlined process reduced on-site waste, saving both time and labor costs. Additionally, the tight building envelope created by SIPs ensures superior energy efficiency, contributing to the project’s high performance and comfort. SIPs provided the ideal solution for a project where speed, sustainability, and affordability were non-negotiable.

High-Performance Design Features

These all-electric homes are loaded with innovative energy-saving features:

• Energy Rating Index (ERI): 37 without solar panels, an impressive -37 with solar panels
• Energy Savings: Estimated savings of $700 per year on energy costs
• Solar Power: Each home is equipped with a 7.2 kW solar array, enough to power the home and an electric vehicle
• Superior Insulation: Triple-pane windows (U-Value: 0.16), R-20 floor insulation, and R-10 perimeter insulation

Smart, Sustainable Design

Innovative design elements maximize functionality in these compact homes:

• A movable kitchen island with industrial swing-arm lighting
• IKEA shelving used as an armoire room divider
• A thermal-mass slab that absorbs and redistributes solar heat
• A Fantech HEPA filter for balanced airflow and improved indoor air quality

Certified Excellence

These homes have earned multiple certifications, including:

• Indoor airPLUS Qualified
• Energy Star Certified
• HERS Index: -33
• Blower Door Test: 1.44 ACH 50

A Legacy of Innovation

Ted Clifton of Clifton View Homes has been a leader in green building for over 55 years, pioneering zero-energy designs long before they were mainstream. This project is another testament to his commitment to sustainable, forward-thinking construction.

SIPs in Action

This award-winning project demonstrates how Premier SIPS can transform construction by combining efficiency, performance, and sustainability. Interested in learning how SIPs can take your project to the next level? Contact us today!