This home gently disappears into its native setting, and R-42 walls, geothermal heat, anda 6 kW PV system make it an oasis of self sufficiency.
> Project Name: The Emerald Home Santa Fe, N.M.
> Builder/Designer: Faren Dancer, Sundancer Creations
> Energy Engineering: Building Energy Solutions
> Developer: HMB Partners
> Interiors: Samuel Design Group
> Photographer: Jack Parsons and Faren Dancer
“We wanted to do a project that went the whole distance in every category,” notes builder Faren Dancer. “Santa Fe has adopted the 2030 challenge, which says we need to get to zero emissions in new homes by 2030. Our intention was to show that it can be achieved now.”
The Emerald Home, as Dancer calls this project, met that goal—attaining a HERS rating of 35 before adding PV panels. After the PV, the HERS Index dropped to -2. The home goes above and beyond on almost every level, with double-wall wood-framed construction to prevent thermal bridging, Solatube daylighting in several rooms, site-made compressed earth blocks (CEBs) for interior walls, and salvaged wood for beams, cabinets, pantries, and even the ceilings in the media room. A geothermal radiant floor system combined with solar hot water provides heating, and a hybrid cooling system has 40 SEER of cooling capacity at only 580 watts. Tax credits from combined geothermal and solar systems paid $56,000 of the approximate $140,000 spent on those systems.
But Dancer understands that an appealing home design is essential to spreading the gospel of green.
“When I build, I want innovative techie aspects to integrate with the design—not make a statement,” he says. “I wanted a pueblo-style design, so that as you walk up to the house, it fits with local style. If you want see all the high-tech aspects, you have to look down on it from high above.”
Dancer also feels strongly that durability should play a bigger part in a home’s green pedigree. “I’d much rather put down a limestone floor that will last the life of the home than a bamboo floor that will need to be replaced in three years,” he says. The stone may cost more up front, but which is more green?”
KALWALL SKYLIGHTS
Available in flat panels, Kalwall’s S-Line skylights are 2 3/4” thick and come in sizes up to 5’ x 20.’ Filled with translucent Nanogel, they achieve an R-20 with 20% light transmission.
www.kalwall.com
GREENFIBER CELLULOSE INSULATION
Formerly sold under the Cocoon brand, GreenFiber is nationally available, eligible for federal tax credits, and made from 85% recycled paper fiber. It’s well suited for dual-wall construction such as that found in the Emerald Home.
www.greenfiber.com
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GreenBuilder 12.2010
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