10. Larson

This house evolved from a small corner store built in 1916. It was converted to a 320 sq. ft. rental house in 1943, and was the smallest house in West Washington Park. It remained in this capacity until 2005, at which time all the mechanicals failed. The heat (hot water radiator), and the domestic hot and cold water came underground through poorly or non-insulated pipes. These pipes failed and were leaking underground, and the electric wiring was approaching dangerous. The time for total renovation was here.

Although there were many challenges in this project the largest was obtaining City Permits. What is unique about this house besides its exceptionally small size is that it shares 2 city lots along with a 6-unit apartment building in a neighborhood that has been down-zoned first to R-2 (duplexes and single family homes) and now to R-1 single family only. While the structures are grandfathered in no further alterations are possible with a zoning variance. I felt in this case the most efficient use of time and money would've been to tear the house down and build brand new, but the city rules stated that if a non-conforming structure is torn down it cannot be rebuilt. The city’s preference was to tear the house down and build 5 garages for the apartment building. My first attempt at an application/denial/ and appeal was in 2003, I lost. After redesign my second attempt was in 2006 I won, and completion of the project was the end of 2007. The final result is what I think is a very efficient use of space. The overall height of the house the bulk plane on the north and west sides of the house are within 6” of what the city would allow. This is why the PV panels are not set at optimal angle, and no evaporative cooler.

I was also very happy with the SIP panels produced locally at ICS in Loveland. Dennis Beaver of Beaver Solar completely covered the south roof. The design of the roof overhang on the south side gives full sun exposure on Dec. 21 and full shade on June 21. I am grateful for all the professional help in various trades that created what I think is such a classy house. My regrets are the rock storage and the elaborate blower system because the cost was so high and the blower system uses a lot of power. Also because the house is a rental property I wish the control panel was outside so that adjustments could be made without disturbing the tenant. If I was to do it again I would have used the “Sun Mate Hot Air Panels” with internal blowers. I wish that I had put together a more accurate estimate of the cost of the project.

The motivation for this came from many avenues, the concern for global warming, energy independence that starts at home literally, information gained at CRES workshops, and inspiration from viewing homes on the Solar Home Tours of years past. Future plans/dreams include more use of SIP panels, a domestic hot water system and tracking PV for the roof of the adjacent apartment building, use stationary PV panels as awnings for south facing windows and cover the patio with PV to make it more usable during hot summer days. I would also like to add “1” SunMate Hot Air Panel for each apartment.

I would consider it an honor if my little house was on the solar home tour. I have enjoyed all the tours that I have been on. The first home tour I went on I was amazed by what people had done, latter tours gave me dreams of what I could do, and more recent tours gave me the ideas and the inspiration to make the dreams a reality. The houses strong points are 1) Net Energy Use (presently the net meter is at +385 kilo-watts the panels are set for summer sun angle and the heat is shut down for the season). I am confident that on Dec.31, 2009 the meter will be zero. 2) The SIP panels are very innovative. 3) At 652 sq. ft. every inch was important. 4) I feel this is a good central location with access to I-25 and the Louisiana and Pearl light rail station. 5). On a personal level this was the largest challenge that I have ever taken on. I put my heart, my soul, my sweat and a lot more money than I ever planned. I would love to hopefully inspire someone else.

Passive Solar
Trombe Michel wall – 6.5’ high x 9’ long x 4” thick
10’ x 10’ x 3’ rock storage under the concrete slab floor
Solar Tubes

Thermal Features
R 28 walls
R 42 roof
R 17 under the floor

Photovoltaics
2.52 roof mounted system
Grid tied

Thermal Envelope / Thermal Comfort
Low – e windows
Ceiling fan
Thermister controlled fans (smart fans)
Expanding foam insulation around windows and outlets

Lighting
Skylights
Lightubes
CFL lighting
Motion sensors / timers

Construction Techniques
SIPS
Insulated concrete forms around rock storage box
R 6.7 high performance windows
Oriented strand construction board

Appliances
Energy Star rated

Transportation / Lifestyles
Recycling
Composting

Re-use / Recycled Materials
Reused bricks
Reused 2 x 10 rafters

Unique Features
Net-Zero home

Water Features
Low flush toilets
Low flow shower heads
Low flow faucets