HELIOS Passive & Active Solar Home - Net Zero Energy
HELIOS Passive & Active Solar Home
Walls and Roof
Roof insulation is rigid 4.5" thick nailbase polyiso insulation over exposed wood decking. Frame walls are 1-1/2" rigid insulation & EIFS system over 2x6 studs @ 16" on center with 5-1/2" fiberglass blanket insulation. Rear exterior wall is 2" XPS insulation over 8 to 12" thick poured concrete retaining wall, forming earth-sheltered north wall of home. South facade has a 30' wide x 2 story high sunspace which buffers the home from outside winter weather conditions. Three foot roof overhangs provide shading for summer sun, but allow full sun to enter in winter for passive solar gain.
Subslab assembly
4" concrete slab over 4" XPS insulation over 6 mil polyethylene vapor barrier
Subslab R-value
20.0
Slab edge assembly
1-1/2" EPS insulation over edge of 4" concrete slab
Slab edge R-value
6.3
Foundation wall assembly
1-1/2" EPS exterior over 8" concrete block
Foundation wall R-value
8.3
Above grade wall assembly
2x6 stud walls at 16" on center with fiberglass blanket insulation plus 1-1/2" rigid EPS exterior. In addition north wall is poured concrete retaining wall with 2" XPS insulation towards earth side and open to interior (painted dark color to serve as mass wall to store solar heat gain in winter).
Above grade wall R-value
26.0
Flat attic assembly
Entire ceiling is cathedral
Flat attic R-value
0.0
Cathedral ceiling assembly
Asphalt shingles over nailbase polyiso insulation boards 4.5" thick, with 1-1/2" tongue and groove wood decking exposed inside.
Cathedral ceiling R-value
26.0
Roof Assembly
Asphalt shingles over nailbase polyiso insulation boards 4.5" thick, with 1-1/2" tongue and groove wood decking exposed inside.
Roof R-value
26.0
Windows and Doors
Window Assembly:
Painted wood frame Andersen casement and awning and fixed window units originally installed in 1984, with 5/8" thick insulating glass.
Door Assembly:
ThermaTru insulating core door with vision panel
Average window U-factor
0.47
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
0.70
Visible Light Transmittance
0.79
Door U-Factor
0.27
Door Area
20 sq ft
Mechanical Systems
Space heating - Manufacturer & Model
Fujitsu Halcyon mini ductless split system ASU 15RLS2 heat pump for heating & cooling, Fujitsu Halcyon mini ductless split system ASU 12RLS heat pump for heating & cooling, Fujitsu Halcyon mini ductless split system ASU 9RLS heat pump for heating & cooling
Space heating - capacity
13 kW
Domestic hot water - Manufacturer & Model
GE Geospring Heat Pump GEH50DEEDSR
Domestic hot water - capacity
50 gal
Domestic hot water - efficiency
2 kW
Lighting Manufacturer and Model
Various LED and CFL fixtures are used
Lighting Efficiency
Mechanical Equipment Installation Details and Comments
Heat pump units replaced older propane heaters and standard air conditioners from original home construction. Heat pumps installed per manufacturer's specifications.
Envelope
Air Changes per hour, ACH50
0.90 ACH50
Air Changes per hour, CFM50
Walls and Roof
Roof insulation is rigid 4.5" thick nailbase polyiso insulation over exposed wood decking. Frame walls are 1-1/2" rigid insulation & EIFS system over 2x6 studs @ 16" on center with 5-1/2" fiberglass blanket insulation. Rear exterior wall is 2" XPS insulation over 8 to 12" thick poured concrete retaining wall, forming earth-sheltered north wall of home. South facade has a 30' wide x 2 story high sunspace which buffers the home from outside winter weather conditions. Three foot roof overhangs provide shading for summer sun, but allow full sun to enter in winter for passive solar gain.
| Subslab assembly |
4" concrete slab over 4" XPS insulation over 6 mil polyethylene vapor barrier |
|---|---|
| Subslab R-value | 20.0 |
| Slab edge assembly |
1-1/2" EPS insulation over edge of 4" concrete slab |
| Slab edge R-value | 6.3 |
| Foundation wall assembly |
1-1/2" EPS exterior over 8" concrete block |
| Foundation wall R-value | 8.3 |
| Above grade wall assembly |
2x6 stud walls at 16" on center with fiberglass blanket insulation plus 1-1/2" rigid EPS exterior. In addition north wall is poured concrete retaining wall with 2" XPS insulation towards earth side and open to interior (painted dark color to serve as mass wall to store solar heat gain in winter). |
| Above grade wall R-value | 26.0 |
| Flat attic assembly |
Entire ceiling is cathedral |
| Flat attic R-value | 0.0 |
| Cathedral ceiling assembly |
Asphalt shingles over nailbase polyiso insulation boards 4.5" thick, with 1-1/2" tongue and groove wood decking exposed inside. |
| Cathedral ceiling R-value | 26.0 |
| Roof Assembly |
Asphalt shingles over nailbase polyiso insulation boards 4.5" thick, with 1-1/2" tongue and groove wood decking exposed inside. |
| Roof R-value | 26.0 |
Windows and Doors
Window Assembly:
Painted wood frame Andersen casement and awning and fixed window units originally installed in 1984, with 5/8" thick insulating glass.
Door Assembly:
ThermaTru insulating core door with vision panel
| Average window U-factor | 0.47 |
|---|---|
| Solar Heat Gain Coefficient | 0.70 |
| Visible Light Transmittance | 0.79 |
| Door U-Factor | 0.27 |
| Door Area | 20 sq ft |
Mechanical Systems
| Space heating - Manufacturer & Model | Fujitsu Halcyon mini ductless split system ASU 15RLS2 heat pump for heating & cooling, Fujitsu Halcyon mini ductless split system ASU 12RLS heat pump for heating & cooling, Fujitsu Halcyon mini ductless split system ASU 9RLS heat pump for heating & cooling |
|---|---|
| Space heating - capacity | 13 kW |
| Domestic hot water - Manufacturer & Model | GE Geospring Heat Pump GEH50DEEDSR |
| Domestic hot water - capacity | 50 gal |
| Domestic hot water - efficiency | 2 kW |
| Lighting Manufacturer and Model | Various LED and CFL fixtures are used |
| Lighting Efficiency | |
| Mechanical Equipment Installation Details and Comments |
Heat pump units replaced older propane heaters and standard air conditioners from original home construction. Heat pumps installed per manufacturer's specifications. |
Envelope
| Air Changes per hour, ACH50 | 0.90 ACH50 |
|---|---|
| Air Changes per hour, CFM50 |