Case
Study: Holt Residence
CHC Construction
Services, Inc.
Project Goals
Inspired by Sarah Susanka's The
Not So Big House, the Holts set out to create a classy
yet affordable house built on our principals of environmental
conservation and responsible urban development. The goal was
to merge creative design features with energy-efficient, sustainable
green building techniques. They wanted their family
to fit in the house, the house to fit in with the community,
and the community to feel welcome in the home.
Holt Residence
4718 Depew Ave.
Austin, Texas |
5-Star |
September 2004 |
$110 |
Project Team |
Company Name |
|
Design/Builder/Contractor
|
J.D. and Kelly Holt, Consultants |
|
Subcontractor |
American Geothermal Systems, Inc.
|
|
Subcontractor
( SIPs designer and supplier)
|
|
|
Testing/Inspection |
Eco.inspections, Inc. |
|
| |
|
|
Project Description
This 1600 square foot, 2-story home
sits on a substandard (40' x 124') infill lot
in central Austin. The footprint, orientation and location
of the house preserve and highlight seven existing 50 year-old
crepe myrtles.
Exterior details such as exposed rafter
tails, metal roof, pier & beam foundation, and front and
back porches align the house seamlessly with its 1940's neighborhood.
A closer inspection reveals a tightly sealed
structure, energy efficient design, effective use of space,
alternative technologies, sustainable and recycled materials,
and many more green building techniques that make this a Green
Building Program certified 5-star home.
By taking advantage of an open floor plan
and the critical utilization of space, the Holts created comfortable
living areas that have the feel of a larger home.
The exposed ductwork emphasizes having the
HVAC system within the conditioned air space. Birch cabinets,
black granite tile countertops, water-base stained cork tile
(kitchen floor), natural bamboo flooring, and colorful wall
pallets make the open living, dining and kitchen area the
centerpiece of the home.
Project Features
| Energy:
-
18.3 SEER, 1-1/2 ton geothermal
heat pump
-
8.25-inch solid core floor and roof
insulation
-
4.5-inch solid core wall insulation
-
HVAC system contained within conditioned
space
-
Mechanical ventilating skylight
(north roof)
-
Highly energy efficient windows
and skylight (w/ screens)
-
Galvalume metal roof system
-
Low E glass with low SHGC and shaded
fenestration
-
Low-wattage fluorescent lighting
-
Energy Star® appliances
|
| Materials:
-
Concrete footings and steel I-beam
foundation
-
Complete envelope of Structural
Insulated Panels (SIPs)
-
Bamboo and cork tile floors
-
Metal pipe deck rails and hand
rails
-
Engineered beams and I-joist
-
Exposed spiral wound A/C duct
-
Recycled composite decking
-
No VOC paints & low VOC adhesives
-
Hardi® panel siding and metal
roofing
-
MDF interior doors and trim
|
| Water:
-
Hot water/heat pump recirculation
loop
-
Low water use appliances and shower
heads
-
"Grow Green" landscape
design
-
Future rainwater collection provisions
|
| Testing/General Results:
- Room Air Flow Test: Test
not performed. Duct system has 1st/2nd floor diverter
for winter/summer air volume control. All rooms have
functional dampers.
- Equipment Sizing Summary:
System designed at 1067square foot per ton which achieves
efficient dehumidification.
- Duct Blaster Test: Ductwork located within conditioned
space - test not required.
- Blower Door Test: 0.11 Air Changes per Hour (ACH)
- test represents potential leakage and negative pressure
problems with house. Test indicates that house is
extremely airtight and needs fresh air make up.
- Extremely air tight house. First 6 months average
utility usage less than 700 kWh/month.
|
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