First Passive House Remodel Finds a Home in Bay Area
From admin on October 18th, 2010 in San Francisco
While building a home with zero net-energy usage and superior green technology may be easier with new construction, Lail Design Group wants to extend those benefits to older homes. Case in point: the first Passive House project in California.
The results may just get you thinking about how you can transform your already existing home into a green haven for the history books. Find out how much it’ll cost to remodel your home with a free contractor estimate.
The Passive House may not be at zero energy usage yet, but it uses significantly less energy than the vast majority of homes around the country. How much, exactly? Well, this 2,400-square-foot home uses just enough to power an ordinary hair dryer. That’s right, a hair dryer.
Originally built in the 1960s, the home includes 2 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, and an attached garage. The entire design is light and airy, with reclaimed hardwood floors, a neutral color palette, and a clear connection with the outdoors. Cathy O’Neil, the owner of the home, has only positive things to say about the remodel. She calls it “beautiful, inviting, and comfortable.”
The main green features added were triple-glazed windows, airtight construction, solar panels, and an energy recovery ventilation system. Insulation took precedence to ensure that the home could stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
For those interested in seeing this design or wanting to gather ideas for their own green remodel, the home will be open for tours on October 23-24.
