In my mother tongue – Tamil – there is a saying:
“ஒரு வீட்டை கட்டிப் பார்; ஒரு கல்யாணம் ப்ண்ணிப் பார்”
meaning, “Build a house; conduct a wedding” to learn more. Everyone lives almost half their lives in their houses, so let us make it great.
A few years back a dream to build a house entered our minds. We were a small family of three people with our parents visiting us from India often. In India we are used to having parents, children, and grandparents living together inside a single house. We wanted a place for our parents to stay, without having them climb stairs for upstairs bedrooms. Most houses on sale that we visited lacked the four items that I deemed were important – energy efficiency, open spaces, main floor bedroom and effective mud-room and coat closet. So we decided to build our own house.
We started designing the house in 2011 with PB Elemental Architects (now Elemental Design). See pictures at the Architizer site. We worked with YS Built to build the house and completed in 2013. The house was featured in Fresh homes and other architecture blogs.
We were intrigued with energy efficiency as well. Using the reduce, reuse, and recycle principles, we built a comfortable house that can reduce energy demands and ended up getting the project certified for LEED Platinum.
The house uses Passive Energy designs to cut down on energy loss and promote energy reuse, starting with better insulation. We used double the foam board insulation for foundations. We reduced air leakage on the side walls using closed cell spray foam insulation. Low emissivity high insulation double pane (or triple pane) glass windows let in ample natural light while cutting down on energy loss. Well placed windows create ample cross-ventilation air flow reducing need for air conditioning during summer months.
On the active design front, the house uses zone controlled radiant floor heating systems provides amazing levels of comfort and reduced dry air flow at low energy costs. Electrical and gas powered hybrid water heating system with recirculating pumps also reduces energy demand for hot water. (A separate tankless water heater feeds some bathrooms.) High efficiency heat recovery ventilators circulate fresh air while reusing the heat from outflowing air. Finally, use of LED lighting and efficient appliances lowers costs and lengthens operating life. With nearly 200+ lights LED lighting also reduced replacement frequency.
Pragmatic choices based on location and availability are required. For instance, geo-thermal systems or solar panels were considered and not installed because the cost economics did not justify itself.
With key focused improvements, our house is comfortable and reduces energy used per square foot by up to 60% compared to other houses in the neighborhood. Puget Sound Energy rates our energy consumption among the top 10% of energy efficient houses here. Exciting innovations in construction technology and smart appliances will continue to improve our lives in the years to come.
Many people helped us in the journey to build our house including our valuable neighbor who helped us find the old house in the first place. We now provide inputs to several others who are remodeling or building their new houses. I encourage you to build a house at least once in your lifetime. It is a fulfilling and learning experience. If you need help with your house project, please contact me.
Now I have a new dream to learn and build a business. My technology experience is certainly valuable base to start from. And still I have a lot to learn about being in a business. That learning journey has started. If you can help, please let me know.
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