Zero Energy Idea House Updates

Ok, one, I swear that I’ve posted about the Zero Energy Idea House here before. I honestly feel like my brain is going out on me, because now I can’t find that post. How obnoxious.

In any case, I recently received some update images from the project, so if I posted this house before or not is a moot point. I’ll just bring you up to date now. Up until now, all I’ve seen of this house are some renderings. Now however, this house is going up, and it seems to be going well.

Installation of the SIPs roof panels

Basics about the Zero Energy Idea House: Zero Energy Idea House is a green building demonstration project being built in Bellevue, WA. It was designed by Clinkston Brunner Architects and is being built by Shirey Contracting.

A major goal of this 1,700-square-foot home is energy savings, it won’t be zero energy, but it’ll use far less energy than a typical home. The house will combine energy generation and conservation techniques in order to score a total monthly energy bill of less than $40. That’s a big old deal (have you seen your energy bills lately)?!

Installation of Warmboard radiant heat flooring

Green features – too many to list, but includes cool objectives such as, SIPs (structural insulated panels) construction, rainwater collection system, FSC certified wood products, recycled-content tile, formaldehyde-free insulation, vegetated “green” roof to reduce storm water runoff, and a planted “living wall” as a retention wall, among others. I’m very interested to see what this living wall will look like. We’ve seen living walls in commercial structures, but in residential this is rare.

You can follow along as this house progresses at the Zero Energy Idea House website. OR take a peek at all the newest images.

[Images via Northwest Property Imaging via Zero Energy Idea House]