Page 49 - Green Builder Sept-Oct 2020 Issue

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ReVISION House Scottsdale Phase

The launch of

one of our most

ambitious ReVISION

House remodels

ever highlights

best practices for

ventilation, energy

efficiency and beauty,

in an age of perilous

uncertainty.

BY MATT POWER, EDITOR IN CHIEF Fortunately, between them, Easley and test on many levels. The concrete tiles absorb
UR INTEREST IN PARTNERING Raterman have decades of experience in heat during „„‘-degree-plus days and reradiate
on a ReVISION House project building science and healthy indoor spaces. that heat into the poorly insulated attic well
with building science experts They knew what they wanted: an existing into the night, just as electricity rates peak
Steve Easley and Susan Raterman house, in a great location, that they could every day. Even at „„ p.m., when the outdoor
O of California wasn’t because of the reengineer to avoid unwanted surprises; a air temperature is ‘ degrees, the garage
location, or the COVID-„ relevance of the resilient sanctuary with a modest energy temperature is still „„‘ degrees.–
indoor air quality (IAQ) story proposed. footprint that accommodated two home In this ™rst installment of The Forever
Rather, we liked the prospect of applying o•ces. They knew this would be a down- House story, we’ll show you just how
high-tech building science to a home that, to-the-studs remodel that would focus on bad the performance problems in this
on its surface, might not look like it needs energy e•ciency, IAQ, comfort and long- house are. You’ll learn why the couple
a major remodel. But looks, in this home, term durability.– has decided to completely dismantle the
fade quickly once you get past the drywall. They landed on a lakeside home in top floor of the home, and “start over”
This middle-aged home (it’s nearing Ž‘), Scottsdale, Arizona, built in the „ ˜‘s with with an adjusted Ÿoor plan, new products,
as you’ll learn in this introductory article, a great site orientation, but not-so-great new overhangs and a higher standard of
leaks energy from its pores. It’s a building performance and design. building excellence.
scientist’s dream project--an all-too-common The ™rst priority: look behind the walls and The thermal scans on the following
case study in too little insulation, too much ceiling, and identify the home’s hidden energy pages tell a more complete story. Note that
air conditioning and not enough quality voids and opportunities. Mitigating indoor brighter, warmer colors, such as red, indicate
control during the original build. It’s a home temperature swings, Easley notes, will impact unwanted hot spots. The darker, blue colors
that has not held up well with the times. many decisions. The current house fails that indicate cooler surfaces.

www.greenbuildermedia.com September/October 2020 GREEN BUILDER 47

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