What Makes a High Performance Home?
A High-Performance Home is a "house built as a complete system".
The components all work together to make the home more comfortable, healthy and less expensive to live in.
Green Building, Energy Efficiency and Sustainability are the cornerstones of a High-Performance Home.
Measuring Home Performance with the E-Scale
At a glance, it is easy to see a home's projected energy performance as compared with known benchmarks. We want your energy consumption to be as low as possible.
Active Solar Systems
All of the homes Martha Rose Construction builds are pre-wired for PV (photovoltaics) and many of them have the solar panels installed. The goal is to enable you to live in a net-zero home that produces as much power as your home needs on an annual basis.
Low Impact Development
3. Simply put, L.I.D. purifies storm water by allowing the rain to be absorbed on-site using a variety of systems that mimic the natural forested condition. Techniques include infiltration basins, vegetated roofs and native landscaping.
Passive Solar Design
4. A passive solar home is insulated and air-sealed well beyond code, which allows the home to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter with only a modest amount of heat..
Water Conservation
Plumbing fixtures and appliances are chosen for their performance and reduced need for water
Edible Landscaping
Kitchen gardens are a practical option for the city dweller. Natural landscaping using organic methods and local plants is low maintenance and environmentally friendly.
Martha Wall
The cornerstone of my insulation strategy utilizes 1” of foam sandwiched between the 2x6 frame and the exterior plywood. This thermal break shear wall has multiple benefits including better seismic performance.
Windows and Doors
Triple-pane windows and insulated exterior doors are two components of City Cabins high performance homes. Enjoy excellent comfort with a draft-free home.
Healthy Materials
It’s not good enough to be pretty to look at. Plywood can be found that is made with non-formaldehyde glue. Vermont Natural Coatings is a finish that is made with whey from the dairy industry. It is non-toxic and durable.
Natural Materials Manufactured Locally
Materials that are sourced locally are incorporated every step of the way. In this example, pine harvested regionally is used in these custom cabinets made by a small shop just outside of Seattle.
Heat Recovery Ventilation Machine
The little known whole-house ventilation system, known as an HRV (heat recovery ventilator) ups the ante in promoting good health. This machine provides five fresh air changes every day in the entire home, and maintains humidity between the desired 30% and 50% range.
Accessibility
Whether it’s a child in a stroller or your dad in a wheelchair, an entry that is flat or gradually sloping, opens the door to hospitality for any age and capability. Then once inside, a ground floor bath and bed area will allow you to stay in your home as long as you want.