Features of a "Home Come True"

Think about your fondest hobby- the thing you are most passionate about. Perhaps it is gardening, and you'd love to use a piece of property to feed the masses. Perhaps it is acting and you want to be on Broadway. Perhaps it is painting, and you want to create a master piece.

Chris Calwell's passion is energy efficiency. He has taken all his experience and knowledge and built a home that will produce as much energy as it uses (net zero!). The home includes no combustion appliances that could leak carbon monoxide or other toxic gases (unlike our neighbors from long ago, the Ancestral Puebloans, there is no "fire in the  hole"). This home is his special project, where he and his wife Vicki were able to invest their time and resources for the last year and create a "master piece".

Solar tracking stand and passive solar construction

Steve Kawell from Durango Solar Homes designed and built the home incorporating Calwell’s ideas and input. Passive solar concepts are used with thermal mass to take advantage of the sun's heat. They also incorporated active solar, using a tracking stand by Living Solar and bi-facial solar awnings to shade the porch areas and windows.

Finishes

VOC-free paint

The home features finishes from Light and Tile Art of Durango and paints from Hand Crafted House. The paints contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to ensure high indoor air quality.

Foam Insulation

Phase changing material

Insulation consists of cellulose fiber and Icynene foam from Foam Insulation Specialists. Additionally, phase changing material was used in the wall of the sun room and master bath ceiling, to absorb heat during the day and slowly release it during cooler hours.



Phoenix Recyling recycled as much scrap material from the building process as possible, and supplied the wood chips for the garden, which fills almost an acre.

Finally, Zehnder supplied a heat recovery ventilator with a ground tempering loop to help provide fresh air at a consistent temperature throughout the home, without using much energy to heat it up or cool it off.

YOU can get a "behind-the-scenes" peek at this home this Saturday, April 13th from 2 to 6:30 PM. Find more information, and RSVP here.

Spring Home Spotlight Tour Shines on A New Net Zero Home

4CORE is holding a home tour at the home of Vicki and Chris Calwell on Saturday, April 13^th from 2 to 6:30 PM. Durango Solar Homes is the primary sponsor of this new net zero home, which features cutting edge technology and produces as much energy as it uses.

This unique home has no combustion appliances- all heat and cooking come from sources without a flame. The home features passive and active solar, including bifacial solar awnings that collect sunlight that shines directly on them, as well as some that is filtered through and bounces back off the ground underneath. A geothermal tempering loop helps recover heat from the ground in the winter and cool air in the summer. Additionally, Bio PCM Phase Change Material is used in the sun room, which slowly releases heat and warms the rooms as it cools from a gel.

"This home utilizes both simple passive solar strategies and the latest high tech energy systems that future homeowners and builders will be integrating into their projects,” said Steve Kawell, Passive Solar Specialist and Owner of Durango Solar Homes. “It was designed and built for the specific lifestyle of the Calwells and their family, who will be able to easily monitor the home and its performance from a smart phone or lap top."

The homes are located at 50 Redcliff Lane just off of County Road 250 north of Trimble Lane. 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 homes, home energy efficiency, and saving money on utility bills. Food is being provided by Zia Taqueria.

“We are pleased to shine a spotlight on this state-of-the-art home,” said Gregg Dubit, Director of 4CORE. “Everything from the layout orientation to the materials incorporated has been thought out and planned with care. This unique home is an awesome example of possible solutions to our energy management future.”

This Spring Home Spotlight Event is sponsored by  Durango Solar Homes, Handcrafted House, Foam Insulation Specialists, Living Solar, Phoenix Recycling, Tile and Light Art of Durango, Zehnder and Zia Taqueria. 4CORE hosts quarterly Home Spotlight Events as an educational offering for participants to learn the various and creative ways to build or retrofit energy efficient homes. Please visit www.fourcore.org to RSVP and learn more.

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Come and Party with 4CORE- We'll Light up your Holidays!

Save the date, because we have big plans for our holiday party this year:

On December 6th, from 5-7:30 PM we'll be highlighting two ENERGY STAR Certified homes at Three Springs.

Why should you attend? Here is our top 5:


#5: Safe transportation- Free ride leaving to and from the Durango Transit Center.
#4: Free food from Digs Restaurant (yum!).
#3: We promise to spike the eggnog, but discourage wearing any lampshades.
#2: Your chance to enter a drawing for a FREE home energy assessment from Annadel Building Solutions!
#1: Great information about ENERGY STAR-certified home efficiencies.

ENERGY STAR homes are special- they leave you with peace of mind that your utility bills will be low and you will be saving energy. That is good on a variety of levels- your pocket book, the environment (less pollution from energy sources), and our local economy- keeping money that would have gone to far away energy producers here!

ENERGY STAR Home Features:

• Air Sealing ENERGY STAR: certified homes deliver approximately 20% savings on annual utility bills through proper air sealing, saving thousands of dollars in maintenance cost.
• Properly Installed Insulation: It’s not just the amount of insulation; it’s the quality of installation that makes all the difference. Proper installation includes careful placement to eliminate gaps, voids, and compression; complete air barriers that prevent air from bypassing the insulation; and building techniques that minimize heat flow through framing. 
• High–Performance Windows: Protective coatings and improved frames help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. 
• Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment: High efficiency equipment delivers premium performance. This equipment uses less energy, operates at reduced noise levels, and often comes with extended warranty coverage.
• HVAC Design and Installation: Trained HVAC professionals design and install the heating and cooling systems in ENERGY STAR certified homes in accordance with best practices.
• Whole–House Mechanical Ventilation: The living space in ENERGY STAR certified homes has a constant source of filtered air to reduce indoor air pollutants in your home.
• Water–Managed Construction Details: Tried–and–true building practices, such as flashing, moisture barriers, and heavy–duty membranes, are employed to effectively drain water from the roofs, walls, and foundations of ENERGY STAR certified homes.
• Building Material: Proper storage and selection of materials helps prevent water– and mold–damaged materials in ENERGY STAR certified homes.
• Advanced Lighting: ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures and bulbs come in many shapes and sizes. ENERGY STAR lighting offers significant cost savings and longer lifetimes than standard products.
• ENERGY STAR Qualified Appliances: A comprehensive package of ENERGY STAR qualified appliances can reduce energy costs, while offering improved performance, quality, and durability. ENERGY STAR certified homes often include ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, ceiling fans, and ventilation fans.
• Climate-Specific Recommendations: Home Energy Raters are trained in local climate-specific energy saving techniques, and their knowledge and field experience help ENERGY STAR builder partners select the most appropriate energy-efficient features.
• Field Verification: Raters conduct onsite inspections and testing of ENERGY STAR certified homes to ensure they meet rigorous program guidelines. 
• Quality Assurance: Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR typically undergo significantly more systems engineering, inspections, and testing than homes built to code. This verification process helps to identify and correct mistakes before they become problems and holds builders accountable to higher standards.

Find more information on ENERGY STAR Homes

Are you feeling warm and cozy yet? If not, you'll have to visit one of these homes!

Find more information about the event here. We can't wait to wish you happy holidays in person!


Sponsored by: Three Springs, Bank of Colorado, Digs Restaurant, San Juan Drywall and Insulation, San Juan Trim Works, and SilverPick Contracting.