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Only LEED H Pilot Home In Houston
Builder:
Michael and Tommy Strong, GreenHaus Builders Description: This unusual custom home is part of the national USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. With a focus on indoor air quality and renewable energy, this house demonstrates state of art building technology, such as ICF (insulated concrete form) exterior walls, PEX plumbing lines, central vacuum system and reflective standing seam roofing. A 3kW photovoltaic solar system provides about 15% of the home’s power. A Solar water heating system works in conjunction with two tankless water heaters. A 22 SEER air conditioning system has fresh air intake, dehumidification and the most advanced ultra violet, air filtration system available.
Green Features as outlined by the LEED H Pilot rating system SITE:
The new home has almost on the same footprint of the original house
so we were able to minimize disturbance to the site’s trees
and plants. New landscaping includes local plants designed to attract
butterflies and hummingbirds. The original driveway was kept intact
and not replaced WATER EFFICIENCY: The clients selected PEX flexible plumbing lines, water-efficient appliances and dual flush toilets. Drought tolerant native landscaping has been used. Two natural gas tankless Rinaii water heaters eliminate water heating when it is not in demand.
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES: Bamboo flooring, a sustainable FSC certified wood floor, recycled rubber flooring and locally produced aluminum windows are examples of "green building" choices. Tile with recycled content produced within a 500 miles radius have also been selected for some bathroom surfaces. ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Eleven inch thick ICF walls, consisting of foam and concrete, create an equivalent R-value of 40. This reduces the air conditioning load by almost half. The attic is a sealed space, unlike the traditional vented attic. Special blown in Icenyne insulation covers the underside of the roof deck. The roof itself is a reflective metal standing seam roof. The windows are Energy Star rated, with a thermal break in the aluminum construction. Utility bills for this 4,500 sq. ft. home are $ 205 per month.
RENEWABLE ENERGY: A 3kW PV Solar system provides about 15% of the home’s power. A Solar water heating system is used in conjunction with tank-less water heaters. SPECIAL DESIGN FEATURES: Indoor slide, complete recording studio for owner’s rock band, copper ceiling, magnetic paint, concrete storm room, glow in the dark grout and an elevator shaft via stacked closets!
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