.svg){kind=logo}
Custom Residence, AK
Award winner
WSU Solar Decathlon Winner
Colorado
Project Type Residential | Single Family < 3000 sf
Environmental Certifications Net Zero/Zero Energy Ready
Project Overview
WSU Solar Decathlon
Ogden, UT
End Use:
The home was sold below appraised value for via a lottery. We had 13 full price offers and those names were put into a drawing to see who got the first opportunity to buy the home. A young couple expecting their first child bought the home. They are both ironically alumni of the University.
Why SIPs?:
SIP construction allowed us to maintain a super tight building envelop and eliminate 95% of all thermal bridges. As part of the 2020 Solar Decathlon home local build challenge, we were trying to get to Passive House Standards of R30 exterior walls and .6 ACH/50. SIPS were selected because of the ease of attaining these goals for the project.
Benefit of SIPs:
SIP save labor and time. We were able to set the walls in 6 hours and be ready for trusses the next day. The energy savings from nearly eliminating all thermal bridges and superior air sealing saved us a ton of energy so we could reach our goal of being Net Energy Positive. The home is designed to offset all of its own energy usage annually as well as charge an electric car to drive up to 20 miles per day.
Innovative Design Elements:
This home was designed to be off the shelf so anyone could do it. Our website is dedicated to showing all techniques used so anyone can adopt this building method. www.weber.edu/solardecathlon
Certifications: Energy Star 4.1 / Net Zero Ready
HERS Index: -8
Blower Door Test: 2.3 ACH 50
Energy Use intensity in kBtuft2: 18.82 S/F
HVAC:
This is an all electric home. It uses one ducted mini split to heat two bedrooms upstairs, 2 ductless mini splits to heat the great room upstairs, and 5 ductless mini split wall mounted units to heat and cool all other rooms. There are no exhaust fans in the home, but their are exhaust registers that are connected to an ERV that provides 90 CFM of pre-conditioned fresh air into the home.
Energy Saving Materials:
We used Insulated Concrete forms for the foundation which perform at an R49. The Attic has 16" raised heel trusses to R60 blown in fiberglass insulation
Energy-Efficient Products Used:
- Energy Star Beko Appliances - Fridge, Range, Microwave, Dishwasher, Washing Machine, Ventless Dryer
- All LED fixtures except for bath vanity lights that had LED bulbs
- Eco Net enabled Rheem Heat Pump Water Heater to super heat water from 10-2 to load shift our solar export
ERV to provide constant pre-treated fresh air in lieue of bathroom exhaust fans - Home incorporates passive solar design to let morning heat in through large east windows, minimize solar heat gain in the afternoon through west facing windows.
- Maximized North facing windows to let in ambiant daylight and only have one window on the south side of the building. Large overhangs block summer solar heat gain and allow winter solar heat gain.
Solar Panels:
There are 39 solar panels on the roof that power the home and charge an electric car to drive up to 20 miles per day. One solar panel trickle charges the battery backup system for the critical loads (Fridge, range, lights, and outlets in the great room).
Sustainable Materials:
- Zero VOC paints
- Drought resistant sod that needs 1/2 the irrigation of typical sod
- 100% recycled LVP that can be recycled back into new flooring if it ever wears out
- Wool carpet upstairs that is low pile and will last 20-30 years
- Cabinets were manufactured within 50 miles of the project
Find Your Local Rep
As the oldest SIP manufacturer, Premier SIPS offers a superior building envelope framing system for commercial and residential structures. Contact an expert in your region to discuss your next project or to explore the benefits and cost savings when designing and building with SIPs.
