The house has a wood foundation and wood floor. The floor was built before the walls. That way there

is a platform for building the walls, and a floor edge to brace the bottom of the walls against.

Urethane foam was sprayed between the joists and cross blocking. The foam is sprayed directly on the compacted, washed rock between each cell.

The foam insulates the floor, seals out soil gasses, and supports the 2x4 joists to make a very rigid assembly.

Here is the first two corner Structural Insulated Panels that start the wall assembly. You can see the recesses in the edges of the panels where the splines are inserted. The splines will stick out an equal amount to allow joining of the next panel. Structural Insulated panels have almost no lumber in them and have no studs. General contractor Don Otto says that they are stronger, tighter, better-insulated and cost the same as stick built walls.

Pella, double-pane, low-E, Argon windows are used throughout to address radiant energy loss and gain, and provide durability for a reasonable price.

The vaulted ceiling will be insulated with a soy-based sprayed urethane foam to R-40. The foam will be sprayed directly from the top plate, up the roof deck and down the opposite side, creating a continuous cap, very tightly sealed to the walls.

A Venmar Duo energy-recovery ventilation system balances the exhaust and intake air pressure, minimizing radon drawn in my negative pressure. As it recovers the heat of exhaust air, it also maintains indoor humidity levels. The humidity management promotes health and comfort year round, and reduces the need to dehumidify.

Core filter for Venmar Duo energy-recovery ventilation system.

Coupled with a collapsed-slinky loop system, a 3.5-ton Econar geothermal heat pump will heat and cool this 2,900 conditioned square-foot home. The heat pump’s desuperheater will preheat domestic hot water into the first of two A.O. Smith energy-efficient 50 gallon electric water heaters. All ducts are sealed with mastic to ensure that the heating or cooling Btu’s are delivered as designed.