This project was supervised by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish County. You can get full text with pictures in pdf format by clicking here. Or using the contact information at the bottom of the page.
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Suncadia Resort
This lodge-style resort home was built to the Five-Star or highest level of Built Green certification. It was a demonstration project for green building methods and technologies during its construction.
Upon completion, the home was open to the general public for two months in the summer of 2006 where thousands of visitors learned about its sustainable features.
The Built Green Home at Suncadia
About the project:
Project Background
The house was conceived as a green home demonstration project for Central Washington where there was not an established green home building program. Located on the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains in Roslyn, WA, this home became the first Built Green-certified home in Kittitas County and achieved the highest rating of Five Stars from the King County Built Green Program. Many of the contractors and suppliers operate out of adjacent King County Washington, and share eco-systems that transcend the boundaries between counties. The rating was verified by a third party as also achieving Energy Star and will operate at 60 to 70 percent greater energy efficiency than an average conventional home.
Pre-Design Steps Taken
A volunteer steering committee was formed that included representatives from all facets of the home building industry: the builder, developer, resort representatives, home builders associations members, Energy Star, Built Green, products and materials suppliers, consultants, the local energy provider. This team helped shape the project and its educational mission. Sponsorships were accepted as a means of defraying costs; all proceeds were donated to the non- pro t Built Green rating program that certi ed the home.
Resources
Energy Star: www.energystar.gov · Built Green: www.builtgreen.net Project Web site: www.thebuiltgreenhome.com · King County's Green Building Program: www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/greenbuilding
Energy Saving Technologies
Insulated Concrete Forms: Stronger, quieter, inert, nontoxic walls prevent mold growth; no off gassing; energy efficient with minimal air in filtration; easy to install.
Sealed Crawl Space:
Less heat loss in ducts and pipes; freeze protection; reduces contaminates, mold and allergens; ductwork, piping and systems are contained in clean, conditioned space
Windows & Doors:
Energy e cient, rated R2 to R4; provide UV light reduction on west and south; made of pressure treated wood that is wind and rain resistant.
On-Demand Tankless Water Heater:
Up to 50 percent more energy efficient than traditional gas and 70 percent more then electric; heats water as needed, shuts o automatically; 25 year life span. System is partnered with recirculating control for switch-or-motion sensor activation; runs one cycle then shuts off.
Ground Source GeoThermal Heat Pump:
Heating, cooling without conventional electricity using renewable energy source; no outdoor condensing unit; up to 50-60 percent reduction in energy cost.
Radiant Floor Heating:
Even distribution of heat for comfort; quiet in operation.
Heating & Air Conditioning System:
High velocity improves indoor air quality while fitting in tighter spaces; combine with ground source geothermal heat pump; condensing/combi core boilers are 90 percent efficient; improved dehumidification; sealed hard pipe duct work; fan uses one-fifth the energy use.
Heat Recovery Ventilator:
Improved indoor air quality; continuous fresh air filtered from outside; recovers heat from exhaust air in winter and cools incoming air in summer; controls excess humidity. "I believe that more people would embrace green building if they knew they could do it without sacrificing style or comfort, especially if it also means a healthier indoor environment." -Brenda Nunes, Project Owner/Developer
Catalytic Air Purification:
Electrostatic Merv11 filter removes allergens electrostatically while ultraviolet light kills germs; "Photo-Catalytic Oxidation" eliminates odors & destroys toxic chemicals.
Foam Insulation:
Prevents air in filtration; provides up to 50 percent energy savings vs. traditional insulation; insulated headers & corners (framing); breathable and water based; no o gassing and prevents mold growth; reduces HVAC equipment size requirements; provides superior pipe & sound insulation.
Energy Star Certified:
Third party verified to be 60 percent more efficient with reduced electricity consumption; Energy Star-certified appliances; lower water and energy use; installed compact florescent light fixtures; lighting controls, timers or dimmers on incandescent fixtures; performance duct test and blower door tests to confirm operational objectives.
Interior Fixtures & Finishes
Glass:
Kitchen counter is made from 75 percent recycled glass in a cement base. Glass tiles used for mosaics, bathrooms and accents are made from recycled glass that has been collected primarily from municipal recycling programs and is recyclable.
Wood Flooring:
Teak and Australian chestnut certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as sustainably produced with a chain-of-custody validation; planks made from rapidly renewable cork harvested in a way that allows the tree to continue living.
Fixtures:
Bronze and copper sinks and bathtubs are made from 100 percent recycled metals. Dual ush toilets have two choices, one for liquids that uses less water and one for solids.
Appliances:
Selected for efficiency and Energy Star ratings, as well as water savings on dishwasher and clothes washer, using fteen to 50 percent less energy than federal guidelines.
Wall Finishes:
Low-VOC paints used throughout the home are Green Seal- certified for indoor air quality. Earth plaster applied by hand to basement walls is a natural clay-based surface that is hand-applied, non-toxic and does not require paint.
Cabinetry:
Bookshelves, window seats and kitchen cabinets are made from sustainably produced wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, are formaldehyde-free and finished with low-VOC varnishes.
Indoor Air Quality:
Many features combine to ensure healthier indoor air including a central vacuum system, low toxic finishes, no carpet, an air purifier, walk-o areas at entrances and radiant floor heating.
Site Development
Site-Cleared Trees:
Logs from trees on site were milled at a local mill only two miles from site and used as replace mantle, porch timbers and interior beams and columns; allowed eight weeks drying time. Drought-Tolerant and Native Landscaping: By using native and adaptive plantings, less water, pesticides and fertilizers are required, and natives also help counter invasive plant species.
Pervious Pavers:
Driveway and patio areas paved with concrete "bricks" that allow rainwater to flow through and into the ground, retaining a more natural water flow.
Low Impact Development:
Plants and soil are used to slow and treat storm water naturally instead of installing large infrastructure pipes that are typically used in residential projects.
Challenges
Materials sourcing:
Access to "sustainable" materials was sometimes challenging in the rural area; for example, FSC-certified framing lumber was not available locally, so instead, conventional wood was used to frame and FSC wood was used for special finishes where it was more cost-effective to transport small quantities across the mountains.
Cost premiums:
Some up-front costs were higher, but were chosen anyway for their long-term savings; for example, the spray foam insulation costs more than conventional fiberglass bats but it has superior performance for heating and cooling. Similarly, the geothermal heat pump has a higher initial cost, but uses renewable energy and eliminates the use of fossil fuels over the life of the house, resulting in long-term energy savings.
Installation:
Occasionally, certain products had a similar cost to conventional products but the installation required specialized knowledge specific to the product and therefore had a "learning curve." For example, Tigerwood decking requires pre-drilling for installation due to its density.
Lessons Learned & Recommendations
For a custom home, many of the choices were similar or the same as for a conventional custom project. Premium green products may have a similar cost to premium conventional building materials, but they have the extra environmental benefits. By specifying and installing green materials, the market for such environmentally preferable products is increased.
For more information contact:
Aaron Adelstein
Executive Director
Built Green
Master Builders Association
King and Snohomish Counties
425-460-8230
www.builtgreen.net
aadelstein@mbaks.com
This material will be provided in alternate formats upon request.
Toll Free 1-800-325-6165,ext. 6-4466 TTY Relay: 711
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