Our design approach at Zero Energy Ready Custom Homes and Renovations combines our building and design knowledge gained thru over 25 years in the custom residential design, building and renovation industry with our education and experience focused in meeting Zero Energy Ready and RESNET Energy Smart Building requirements to create healthy, functional and comfortable living spaces.
We design or residential custom homes and renovations focused around constructing sustainable, energy-efficient homes using proven building science principles and methods.
Sustainable architecture aims to incorporate structural and Plumbing, HVAC systems and Electrical systems in building designs that engage positively with their surroundings. Our designs incorporate many of the below listed items.
- Foundations, conditioned crawl spaces, walls and roof structures and systems which are highly insulated, air tight and weather tight as well as moisture shedding.
- Energy-efficient lighting fixtures and appliances
- Energy efficient heating, cooling and energy recovery ventilation systems
- Energy efficiency focused and water-saving plumbing fixtures
- Energy efficiency focused windows placed strategically to maximize natural light as well as minimizing solar heat gain during warmer seasons and maximizing solar heat gain in cooler seasons.
- Landscaping with native vegetation.
- Focused drainage systems including the incorporation of rainwater recycling if it makes sense to do so. In Idaho our climate is not always rainfall heavy at times so the expense to focus on rainwater reclamation is often one of the last items on the list.
- Incorporation of renewable energy sources, such as solar power and hot water systems. geothermal systems and wind power where applicable.
- Using local construction materials to reduce transportation distance and costs.
- Incorporating old structures and using recycled materials.