High-Performance homes offer energy-efficiency and a healthy indoor environment, as well as reducing the impact of our living on the planet. It takes a lot of thought, careful planning, and mindful implementation to achieve a well balanced home. There are many methods, products, and features that can be used independently or combined to provide a significantly better home…better for the occupants, the community and the world around them. We assess the issues of each client’s situation, lifestyle, and wishes along with the land features before making recommendations. We realize that there are many options and combinations that can be implemented to achieve a green home, some more costly and/or value-added than others.

Building Systems

A house is really a system of parts that work together. You can affect the ultimate performance by a variety of choices in the design and building process. When you remove all the "bells and whistles", a house is just a box. There are things that once done wrong, would be hard or costly to change at a later date. So, for simplicity, we have identified several basic tenets of building a better box. They include:
   a. Site the house on the lot for optimum passive solar gain and daylighting
   b. Strength of structure and protection of building envelope
   c. Heat, air, humidity and ventilation control
   d. Seal and insulate…the total envelope
   e. Universal design…build for future uses and changing lifestyles
   f. "Not So Big" principle…build only what you need, maximize spaces and uses
To build a well-balanced house one must consider all of these in planning the design, components and methods of construction. There are many more factors to consider, but they are mostly linked to these general categories above.

Environmental, Ecological, Sustainable Issues

Building a well-balanced house is the inward focus, but there is also an outward focus that has a more far-reaching effect…globally. Green building also concerns itself with reducing the carbon footprint and leaving the planet better than we found it…at least, no worse. As stewards of the land, we do what we can to REDUCE waste, use RENEWABLE or reclaimed components, and RECYCLE reusable products. We recommend to our clients the use of natural products, minimizing chemicals and VOC’s that outgas and pollute. Conservation of our natural resources and a balanced design is just good building sense.

Energy Efficiency

We advocate the preparation for and use of alternative energy sources. We have installed geothermal systems as well as passive and active solar. In using current heat pump technology, we use a dual fuel system with gas as the backup rather than electricity since it is more efficient at lower temperatures. We recommend a balanced airflow system, providing air supply and returns to each major space. We offer options of various insulations, particularly spray foam, which also seals and can act as a moisture plane. Including the ductwork inside the conditioned or partial conditioned space minimizes the concern for air leakage, keeps it cleaner, and reduces moisture potential from condensation. Windows and doors should be high performance argon-filled lowE from a quality manufacturer, properly installed to avoid air leakage. When a house is sealed, there needs to be ventilation controls to balance the needed air exchanges to maintain a healthy environment.

Solar design encompasses passive and active systems. The first has no active parts, but proper design is critical to the functions. First, the house must be sealed tightly. It must be oriented so that the long axis faces closely to the south. Windows should be properly sized and placed for best performance, primarily on the south for heat and on the north for daylighting. Shading, either by overhangs or landscape, works in tangent with placement to provide cooling when the sun is high in summer. And there must be some form of thermal mass to absorb the heat and should be sized to release it at the proper time. Active solar works in addition to passive…usually in the form of panels to capture the sun and convert it to heat or electricity. Water panels can provide hot water for the home and heat for radiant flooring. Photovoltaic panels provide electricity and may be connected to the power grid. There must be an inverter to convert the DC to AC to power the home. PV is also available in rolls or shingles rather than panels to better blend in with other roofing materials.

Most everyone is aware of water conservation efforts in our state during the last year with the drought conditions we were under. Water conservation should be a way of life. We encourage our clients to choose conserving products such as low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets and Energy Star appliances such as dishwashers and front-loading washing machines. We use low volume irrigation systems, and offer rainwater collection and advocate the use of gray water recovery. We encourage the use of native plants and drought tolerant species in landscapes. We try to minimize waste, recycle waste materials when we can, and use recycled products when they are available to us. We also look at maintenance issues and take steps to make our products last longer, such as back-priming siding and trim. The front and back expands closer to the same rate, creating less warpage, less cracks, gives longer lasting finishes and protects the product, therefore reducing waste in the future.

Wood is a renewable resource, but takes many years to grow to large sizes, particularly the hardwoods. Reclaimed woods and managed forests provide much of the woods we like to use. Cork and bamboo grow in a short timeframe and can be replenished easily. We also use engineered woods and structural parts made from smaller pieces assembled together, such as oriented strand boards.

Quality of Life Issues

A healthy home is one you can live in safely. Part of that is in the design of the home itself, and part is from the products that you put in it. A well designed home will be one that includes universal design…meaning it is suitable for everyone…"from cradle to grave." Yes, it works for handicapped people but not designed just for them. Features are adaptable to many situations. For example, a landscaped, sloped walkway is as easy for a mother with a stroller as it is for a wheelchair. Wider doorways make it easier to get in with a bag of groceries or furniture. Planning for life’s potentials allows one to remain in the home longer, enjoying it more fully.

The healthy home will include products that reduce exposures to harmful chemicals. Low or no-VOC paints and formaldehyde-free plywood, glues and sealants will minimize outgasing and potential negative reactions. Ventilation control, humidity control, and airflow balance are methods we use to provide that extra measure of safety.