• 2- story home with walkout basement and attached 3 car garage
• 4 bedrooms with Master Bedroom on 1st floor and 1 in basement space with bath
• Open floor plan for hosting fellowship
• Maximum energy performance through design for passive solar orientation, energy-efficient envelope, renewable energy, and backup power source
• Healthy indoor air quality to ease asthma and allergy symptoms
• Home built within family’s budget

The design process included all parties: design firm, energy consultant, renewable energy company, Better Way Builders and the family.  Working together through a phased approach, the team stepped through the process starting with conceptual drawings and energy models and options.  Through several property site visits and design meetings, the team arrived at the final plans.  These final plans included all approved specifications including the energy needs for proper HVAC sizing requirements, the renewable energy selection, and expected energy use in the home.

Design Specifications to meet project goals:

A colonial style 2 story home with full walkout basement and 1,200 sqft. of space per floor – total 3,600 sq.ft. – a straightforward design to simplify foundation and panel installation while meeting all of the space requirements of the family

• Home orientation and placement on site to take advantage of Passive Solar heating and cooling
• A tight, energy-efficient building envelope with a precast, insulated Foundation System for the below grade envelope and walkout feature and a Structurally Insulated wall and roof panel system (SIPS) for the above grade envelope.  Superior drainage on both inside and outside of foundation offer excellent moisture management and reduce risk of future water and foundation damage
• High efficiency dual pane, low E vinyl Energy Star windows to allow abundant daylight while also provide needed insulation from the elements
• Vinyl siding, soffit and fascia for exterior cladding, and 30-year roof shingles to provide years of durability and low maintenance
• Primary heating from a sealed combustion wood-burning fireplace system
• Additional Heat and domestic hot water from a solar thermal heating system and radiant heating of the basement floor. 
• Primary cooling and secondary heat from Air-to-Air heat pumps on 1st & 2nd floors
• Ventilation and fresh air provided from Heat Recovery ventilators.  An open stair well system also allows for more natural flow and ventilation throughout home
• Energy-efficient home living from Energy Star appliances and fixtures
• Water conservation with Low Flow toilets and fixtures
• Indoor Air Quality preserved with the use of low VOC paints and adhesives and excellent interior moisture management and ventilation.