See the Work
Net-Zero Pilot Project
Providing a fair share of the housing market to citizens of La Plata County.
“This home is a house of the future... We’ve got a lot of houses to build in this area. We hope this [example] will rub off on other people who will come by, take a look at it, and use it as a model.”
— George Whitt, Mayor, Town of Ignacio
What is Net-Zero? A building with net-zero energy consumption creates as much energy as it uses over the course of a year. In order to achieve net-zero energy performance, every system of the house must be optimized to realize energy reduction, energy efficiency and energy production.
Design Process — Charrette: A Green Communities-funded design charrette, a forum for collaborative problem solving, was the primary tool used to achieve the project goals.
Reaching Zero: The net-zero strategies used in this house are:
- Maximizing Natural Site Features | The design uses passive solar heating and the constant temperature of the ground to reduce the mechanical heating load.
- Building Envelope | The primary structure is SIPS, (Structurally Insulated Panel System), which has 125% the insulation value of a home built to code. The walls sit on a shallow frost-protected slab-on-grade foundation with in-floor heat.
- Mechanical Systems | The hydronic in-floor heat coils are warmed by the geoexchange system, and the domestic hot water system is powered by solar-thermal panels with an electric-resistive back-up. Grid-tied solar electric panels power all appliances.
- Occupant Education | CHI will educate the future occupant of this home about the home’s net-zero features and recommended guidelines for appliance usage.
CHI currently believes that all net-zero features except the geoexchange system can be funded grant-free. The ultimate project goal is to integrate the lessons-learned into all future CHI homes.
Gallery
(hover over image to zoom)
by Ophelia Wilkins
A SIPS wall and roof system facilitates the use of south-facing clerestory windows. Aesthetically, anything goes in this eclectic subdivision, created in the 70s, with many modular neighbors.
by Ophelia Wilkins
Southern orientation allows the design to maximize passive and active solar features. Solar leasing is being considered to finance the photovoltaic system without the use of grants.
by Ophelia Wilkins
Use of SIPS also allows for vaulted interior spaces which are not as easy to achieve with engineered trusses more commonly used in affordable single-family homes in this region.
by Ophelia Wilkins
Rose Fellow Ophelia Wilkins initiated a Green Communities Charrette, convening CHI staff, local energy experts and Town representatives to identify the primary design and net-zero energy strategies for the home.
by Julie Levy
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on November 13, 2009. Construction will not start until Spring 2010. From left to right: Lawrence Bartley (Ignacio Town Trustee), Pat Senecal (Ignacio Town Planner), George Whitt (Ignacio Mayor), Julie Simmons (Colorado Housing Inc Executive Director), Ophelia Wilkins (Colorado Housing Inc Rose Fellow), Natalie Carpenter (Colorado Housing Inc Board Member and Homeowner).
by Ophelia Wilkins
Candelaria Heights subdivision infill lot.
Project Summary
- Location:
- Ignacio, Colorado
Candelaria Heights - Program Scope
- Affordable rental housing unit
- Structured parking
- Project Status
- On-the-boards (July 2010 anticipated completion)
- Location:
- Ignacio, Colorado
Candelaria Heights - Project Scope
- 9,000 sq ft gross site area
- New construction
- 1,248 sq ft gross project area
- Program Scope
- Affordable rental housing unit
- Structured parking
- Residential Unit Profile
Affordable units serve moderate income households.
1 3 BR 1,248-1,248 sq ft 1 TOTAL - Green Benchmarks
- Energy Star
- Green Communities
- LEED Gold (anticipated)
- Project Status
- On-the-boards (July 2010 anticipated completion)
