3011 N 29th St, Tacoma, WA 98407 qualified at the
Four-Star Level rating in the
2014 Tacoma-Pierce County Built Green Certification Program
October 7, 2014
Dual ultra-efficiency Navian tankless water heaters were installed in two locations in the home both with their own recirculation loops. This minimizes the distance heated water needs to travel and constantly keeps hot water at each faucet increasing both comfort and energy savings.
All faucets and shower heads are EPA water sense certified low flow fixtures to help conserve water.
Nearly all the millwork on and surrounding the stairway has been preserved and refinished most of it by hand some gaps and cracks may be visible and floor squeaks audible due to its original nature and 115 year old age!
Advanced framing techniques were utilized in all new walls built reducing new material quantity and increasing the thermal efficiency of the home.
Seam taping, low-VOC expanding spray foam, airtight drywall installation, butyl caulking, and airtight light fixtures were all used to minimize air infiltration. The tighter a home’s “envelope” the more efficiently the homes heating and cooling systems will work.
The dishwashers, refrigerator wine cooler and clothes washer are all Energy Star certified insuring they perform efficiently reducing the home’s energy use and carbon footprint.
All bathrooms are equipped with EPA water sense certified low flush or dual flush toilets to aid in water conservation.
Most light fixtures throughout the home utilize CFL or LED bulbs or our Energy Star certified fixtures this is the easiest and usually cheapest way to conserve energy in the home.
Any of the salvageable siding and trim removed from the home for the remodel was set aside and reused much of the present siding on the home appears to be original installed over 100 years ago. Keep this in mind if some of it is showing its age. Where additions were made new ¾ cedar shingles were custom milled to match the existing.
The cabinet doors and drawer fronts are made from local Pacific Northwest Alder and cabinet box material is FSC certified Maple plywood all cabinetry material is urea and formaldehyde free. Cabinets were built locally.
All finishes used for the walls floors windows doors and trim are non or low VOC and are non-toxic this ensures optimal air quality for both present and future home occupants. The countertops throughout the home are either quartz or other eco-friendly material. Tile for the kitchen was all sourced locally.
Most of the original homes trim was removed, stripped, stained, and reinstalled. This helps to maintain some of the homes unique character as well as reduce new material costs and impact. All new trim material is FSC certified and was custom milled to match existing.
Vertical grain fir floors in the entry, dining room, living room, main stairway, upstairs foyer/hall and in most of the upstairs bedrooms were original to the home and we're all salvaged and refinished with low VOC stain. Other similar salvage flooring was custom milled to match and patched as needed and installed in the remaining wood floor rooms.
The majority of trees originally on site were saved and or replanted preserving natural shade and reducing the amount of new vegetation transported in. Native species use was emphasized for any new plantings.
All the windows in the home were replaced and are constructed with wood, a renewable resource, and cladded in aluminum for longer life. The Marvin window package utilizes LowE coatings and efficient designs to drop their U-value to under .30 overall exceeding code and Energy Star requirements. All double-hung windows open inwards for easy cleaning.
Many of the brick pavers utilized for the hardscapes are reclaimed from original planters’ pathways and from around the unused pool that was filled in. No new impervious surface was added outside improving on site water infiltration.
The homes primary heating and summertime cooling is provided by a Trane ultra-efficiency central heat pump which is greater than 30% more efficient than Energy Star requirements. The system is fully modulating, and zone monitored meaning it only uses the minimum of energy necessary to properly condition the home. The thermostat allows the owner to remotely control the system with their smartphone.
To ensure all bathrooms are always well ventilated and moisture is properly controlled each one is equipped with an Energy Star certified Panasonic Whisper Green exhaust fan. These fans sense room occupancy and humidity level turning on when you walk in, and off once latent moisture has been removed.
Air pressure has been balanced throughout the home to increase occupant comfort especially in bedrooms a mechanical damper allows condition fresh air in as necessary, and all supply air is electronically HEPA filtered by the system.
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