for its High Performance Buildings Database
U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Building Technologies Program - Buildings Database
Lessons Learned
The architect and owners collaborated closely during the design and construction phases. The architect contributed her long experience with sustainable design, and the owners conducted extensive technological research and provided detailed energy analyses. In the absence of local expertise on key technical issues, particularly those related to renewable energy, the owners drew heavily on the Internet as a resource.
The contractor was selected in part for his sincere interest in learning about more energy efficient building practices. He and his team mastered a number of new building concepts and construction techniques, which they now use routinely. The electrician gained valuable expertise in the design and operation of a photovoltaic system and developed a passion for sustainable energy. The roof installers received on-site training from the California company providing the PV slates.
Monitoring power consumption for the past three years has led to a constant search for ways to improve the performance of the house. Gross electrical demand has been reduced by 15 percent by modifying winter airhandling systems and introducing alternative cooking and heating strategies. This has led to a 50 percent reduction in net electricity bought from the grid. The lessons learned both during and post-construction are being shared widely via regular house tours for area architects and homeowners and the continuously maintained website.
Awards
- Design Evanston in 2006; Category/title: Architectural and Green Design
Ratings
- HERS in 2004; achievement level: 92.7
