NEW CONSTRUCTION
NOBSKA ROAD RESIDENCE
WOODS HOLE, MA
This 2,300 square foot new home is designed and constructed to have an annual energy cost of $0.00. It will generate enough energy from on-site renewable resources to meet the energy demands of operating the home including heating, cooling and electrical loads. This is called a “net zero energy home”.
We’ve been able to achieve this by designing the home so that it will require only a fraction of the energy that a typical code built house would need. This was accomplished through meticulously sealing all air leaks and penetrations at the building envelope (walls, roof, basement), providing the proper amount of insulation, and designing a mechanical system that is extremely energy efficient and properly sized (not over-sized) to adequately heat, cool and generate hot water for the occupants. Windows with very low U-values were selected for optimum energy performance.
In addition to the energy efficient aspects of the building shell design, there are many interior features that contribute to resource conservation and a healthy environment inside the home. Most of the light fixtures in this home are LED lights with the remainder being fluorescent fixtures. This will dramatically reduce the electrical loads while also reducing the cooling demand since these lights radiate very little heat. As a result, the mechanical system can be much smaller to satisfy the reduced cooling load.
The toilets are all dual flush models which utilize 21% less water than standard flush toilets.
All the appliances are Energy Star rated for reduced energy consumption.
Paints and finishes applied to the walls and trim are all low- or zero-VOC products. Volatile Organic Compounds are often noticeable by their smell when they off-gas and can contribute to respiratory conditions and other health ailments.
The sustainable harvested yellow birch floor was finished with a 100% waterborne product certified by GREENGUARD Environmental Institute as VOC compliant. Bathroom, Laundry and Mudroom areas have Marmoleum flooring selected for its high durability and its renewable material composition which includes linseed oil, wood flour, rosin, jute and finely ground limestone. It is hygienic and anti-static and completely biodegradable.
Permeable pave stones were used in the driveway to allow natural leaching of rainwater back into underground aquifers and minimize storm water runoff and erosion. Non-native plantings were removed from the site to be replaced with native landscape plants.
Check back soon for more energy performance data on this project.