Home Spotlight Event Provides Glimpse of Net Zero

Home Features Geothermal, Solar, and other efficient qualities 

The first Home Spotlight event takes place from 4 to 7 PM on November 3rd as part of a quarterly series hosted by the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE). La Plata County homeowners Richard and Jill Hoehlein will open their home to educate the public and raise awareness about the value and comfort of a sustainably built, net zero home.

The Hoehlein’s home was designed as a prototype with plans available at a discount so renewable energy and energy efficient features can be easily replicated for other homeowners. Passive solar design is used, along with natural day-lighting techniques, solar photovoltaic, and solar hot water to take full advantage of the 278 days of sunshine in our region. Home comfort and low heating costs are ensured by a geo-exchange ground source heating and cooling system, combined with quality air sealing, superior insulation, and a heat recovery ventilation system. A Growing Spaces Growing Dome® provides food year-round, with xeriscaping and native landscaping maintained around the home with drip irrigation. Finally, universal design features accommodate people with physical disabilities.

Register here for the Tour ~ It's FREE!

"We are delighted to share our experience in building the county's first LEED platinum home and our commitment to living in a way that is highly energy efficient and environmentally responsible,” said Richard Hoehlein, the homeowner. “Hopefully it will serve as a model for others who share our concern about the long-term sustainability of our planet's resources and would value living in an essentially net-zero energy residence."

The home is located at located at 602 Powder Horn Trail just outside of Durango and the event is free and open to the public. Suppliers and builders will be on-hand to explain the products and processes used to construct the home. A Road Runner Transit shuttle bus will run from the Durango Transit Center to the home between the hours of 4 and 7 PM. 

“We are pleased to showcase this relatively modest home,” said Mark Galbraith of Galbraith Builders. “The mix of geothermal, solar and energy efficient attributes makes this home the ideal solution for anyone who wants to minimize their impact while living in the utmost comfort.”

This Home Spotlight Event is sponsored by Galbraith Builders, Growing Spaces, Smart Enterprises, Boss Mechanical, Water Furnace International, Sherwin-Williams, and Road Runner Transit, a program division of the Southern Ute Community Action Programs (SUCAP). Please visit www.fourcore.org, e-mail info@fourcore.org, or call 259.1916 for directions to the home or for more information.