Bellingham Power House

Project Overview

Clifton

Nicknamed the PowerHouse, this house is the first of its kind in Whatcom County. The home sends power to the city’s electrical grid when the sun is out and draws it during the night or on cloudy days. (Contrary to popular belief, the Pacific Northwest is an excellent place for solar). Averaged over the entire year, the panels will produce more power than the house uses, with enough of a surplus to power two electric cars through on-site charging stations.

With its airtight shell, structural insulated panel (SIP) construction, numerous south-facing windows and passive solar design, highly efficient heat pump, solar hot water, and a solar PV array using Bellingham-built ITEK modules, this one-of-a-kind house has no electrical bills (other than the monthly service charge for this grid-tied system) and costs nothing to heat. No oil, natural gas, or other fuels are used.  

Specs

• 2,700 square feet,
• 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• 1st floor aging-in-place
• Double height living/dining room
• Powers itself and two electric cars, for net-zero emissions, over the course of a yearUses a 9.9kW photovoltaic system (half power goes to the house, other half powers two cars)
• Envelope includes structural insulated panels, insulated concrete forms, and 4” foam under slab
• Heat and hot water provided by a solar hot water collector with an air-to-water heat pump backup
• Radiant-heat floors
• South-facing high solar gain triple-pane windows and solar absorbing concrete floors

• Utilizes the most energy-efficient appliances and lighting available on a budget

• Collects rainwater for all outdoor water usage and utilizes low-flow fixtures indoors

• Budget under $150/SF includes all development costs except land (built on an infill lot in the city)

• Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance is monitoring home for US Department of Energy pilot program

• Fresh air provided by heat recovery ventilator and earth tube combo system

• HERS rating is -15

The Bellingham Power House, winner of Green Builder magazine’s Home of the Year Award in the “Best Alternative Construction” category.

This year’s judging panel included some of the most forward thinking individuals in the building industry.

• Bill Rectanus is the vice president of Homebuilding Operations for Thrive Home Builders (formerly New Town Builders) and is responsible for the implementation of their “High Performance Building Initiative.”
• Sam Hagerman is the co-founder and co-owner of Hammer and Hand, a construction company dedicated to inciting evolution in building through service, craft and science.
• Steve Byers is the CEO of EnergyLogic which serves a variety of clients in the residential and light commercial energy efficiency and sustainability spaces helping to “make buildings better.”

This was a big year for the Bellingham Power House, which also won a Housing Innovation Award from the U.S. Department of Energy. This unique home goes way beyond zero-energy-ready by not only producing enough solar electricity to meet the home’s needs but generates enough of a surplus to power the owners’ two electric cars. Learn more about this award-winning positive-energy home here.

ABOUT GREEN BUILDER MAGAZINE

Green Builder® magazine is the building industry’s leading magazine focused on green building and sustainable development. Green Builder offers practical, cost-effective information to a community of the most advanced building professionals across the country. The magazine’s nationally award winning editorial team blends top-quality visionary content with sophisticated design to generate an unforgettable publication that addresses the most important issues of our time.

ABOUT GREEN BUILDER MEDIA

Green Builder® Media, LLC is the leading media company in North America focused on green building and sustainable living.  With a comprehensive suite of print and digital media solutions, demonstration projects, case studies, online training, and live events, Green Builder Media assists building professionals in preparing themselves for the new green economy and helps homeowners understand how to live more sustainably.