Custom New Homes, Net Zero & Positive Energy Homes, Passive House Certified

Cottage in the Woods

Department of Energy Housing & Innovation Award Winner 2014

This three bedroom house was built on the 1953 foundation of a tiny cottage in a lake community for one of the owners and founder of BPC Green Builders. It was designed to use both space and energy with maximum efficiency with secluded views of a rocky, wooded hillside. Open-style layout with large glass areas facing to the rear for free heat, natural light, and views.

This was the first house in CT to earn PHIUS Passive House certification. PHIUS is the US offshoot of the European Passive House program. Certification signifies exceptional energy efficiency. Energy use is being monitored by the US DOE. About half of the energy needed to heat the home is provided by the sun for free.

Special Features

Open concept living/dining/kitchen area
Cathedral ceiling in main living area
Detached garage
Extensive use of stone from site in landscaping

Green Building Approaches

Rear of house faces solar south to capture winter heat and is ready for PV panels
Shallow frost-protected foundation with 12” of rigid foam insulation under the slab
2×6 wall framing with 24” spacing, insulated with cellulose
Exterior walls wrapped with 5-1/2” of rigid foam insulation to eliminate thermal bridging
18” roof trusses filled with cellulose, and small attic with 24” of cellulose
Acrylic sheathing tapes used to achieve exceptional air-tightness of 0.46ACH50
European triple-glazed windows with u-values of 0.13 (roughly R-8)
Fiber cement siding installed over ¾” drainage plane
Small, wall-hung, air-source heat pump heats and cools the entire house
No central heating or cooling required
Heating and cooling for the first year cost $337.
Condensing, propane, tankless water heater uses 5-10 gallons/month
Energy recovery ventilation