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» Reduced Energy Consumption through conservation strategies
»Maximized energy retention through high performance insulation envelope
»Reduced operational maintenance
»Low and fixed income affordability
»Handicap Accessible adaptability
»Increased resale value
»Xeroscaped landscaping
»Drip irrigation system
»Gray water collection system
»Renewable energy production system
»Passive solar configuration
»Reduced construction difficulty
The home achieved a Platinum LEED rating with analysis provided by GWS out of Oklahoma.
Its capabilities include handicap adaptability. Although not fully ADA configured, the home is designed with accessibility in mind. All doors are configured for handicap accessibility and bathrooms, kitchen and closets are constructed to be adapted if the need arises. The building is designed with blocking behind the walls for the future installation of handicap hardware if required at a later date by the occupants.
Second the home is designed with passive solar in mind. Passive solar design strategies
are at the heart of this design. Although the site has limited the maximum passive
solar design flexibility, areas of concern such as the exterior walls thermal radiation
absorption rates and zones, window locations/ sizes and protective roof overhangs
have been considered and installed to provide maximize passive advantages. Additional
non-
The First of three zero energy HUD homes scheduled for construction in San Angelo, Texas is presently nearing completion. Designed specifically for low income habitants, this house offers a wide array of sustainable ammonites. This standard ranch style three bedroom, two bath, one car garage home offers a total living space of 1,332 square feet and is located at 814 West 18th street San Angelo, Texas. The home designed by Universal Design Consortium Inc., a Lubbock based sustainable architectural firm, and is projected to set the stage for additional zero energy homes to be constructed for low income citizens of San Angelo by the Community Development Department throughout the year. Design of this home began in March of 2008 with the following in mind:
advantages. Additional non-
The homes mechanical system is also specifically designed for advanced sustainability and offers the highest percentage efficiency possible. The HVAC system is designed for the cubic volume of the homes interior space and consists of round metal ductwork for increased efficiency and ease of cleaning. In all; the HVAC system will operate way above average; typically 63% in the United States. The HVAC system installed in this home will operate at 98% efficiency; saving large
amounts of electricity per day. In addition, the HVAC air ducting system can be cleaned easily upon the home owners request using traditional commercial spiders, enhancing air quality over a greater amount of time and reducing the time and cost of cleaning the air delivery system.
The home boosts a modest insulation package; with expansive closed cell foam insulation in the exterior 31/2” wall cavities a R25 is possible overall with the exterior wall assembly. This home will be the first zero energy home that UDC has designed that utilizes an exterior 2x4 wall assembly. Earlier zero energy homes were designed with insulated concrete foam (ICF) walls (one of the highest insulation maxi misers presently commercially available) With the completion of this home, UDC will prove
without a doubt; that a standard ranch style home with 2x4 exterior walls and closed
cell foam insulation; working in conjunction with a passive solar strategies and
a reasonable renewable energy production system can achieve a high enough energy
retention factor to be a cost-
In addition to the homes already impressive strategies, UDC has also equipped the home with a 2.2 kilowatt solar
array; static mounted on a detached storage building behind the home. The storage building is orientated and configured to maximize solar collection from the 12 evergreen 200 watt panels in the winter season and will produce excess electrical energy in the summer season; electrical energy that will be sold back to the power grid through the use of net metering. The home will see a monetary return for the unused electrical energy in summer. Overall, the home has the ability to operate over a 365 day cycle at a 125% reduction of electrical usage.
The home is also designed with a gray water return system that collects both non-
2,000 gallon underground concrete tank. A submersible pump attached to an automatic irrigation system placed inside the gray water tank provides pressurized drip irrigation for the surrounding landscape on a daily basis. A gray water return system and drip irrigation systems compliments the xeroscaped lawn. The drip irrigation system is initiated once per 24 hour solar cycle to water the landscaping. Xeroscape Lawns are large element in UDC’s passive, low environmental impact approach and primarily consists of a collection and plants, trees and grasses that have a high drought resistant and low maintenance. They are designed specifically for each site to take advantage of the sites natural resources. With the gray water collection system, automatic irrigation system configured with drip delivery and a xeroscape lawn strategy; the home can achieve a 90% reduction on water
consumption over a 365 day cycle.
Overall, this homes design ushers in a new chapter in efficient design by being the first zero energy LEED Platinum certified HUD home in history to be constructed. It is hoped that the lessons learned with this home can be repeated in future homes for a greater effect in reducing excessive energy consumption and enhancing human habitation within homes.
UDC IS PROUD TO DONATE SOME OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THIS HOUSE TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE FISHER HOUSE AND WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT CHARITIES.
