Page 31 - Green Builder Magazine January 2016 Digital Edition
P. 31
This cohousing
duplex in Washington
State generates
enough solar energy
for two families, plus
their electric cars.
B ELLINGHAM-BASED DESIGN/
BUILD FIRM TC Legend Homes
loves to build overachieving
homes. The firm’s latest project
features a 9.9-kW PV array,
which not only produces enough solar
electricity to meet its own energy needs, but
will produce surplus power to charge two
electric cars. Nicknamed the Power House,
the home has earned a HERS Index score
of -15. It is the first of its kind in Whatcom
County.
From the Judges
“Excellent combination of
alternative building
practices with ICFs,
SIPs, solar hot water
with heat pump back-up,
solar PV and rain
catchment for landscape
and gardening use.”
An airtight shell was built using insulated
concrete forms (ICFs) and structural
insulated panel (SIP) construction for the
above-ground walls and roof. Numerous
south-facing windows and passive solar
design work in tandem with a highly
efficient heat pump, solar hot water and a
solar PV array to achieve better than net-
zero performance. This one-of-a-kind house
continued on page 30
January/February 2016 GREEN BUILDER 29
