Sustainable Family Home

Sustainable Family Home
Rear of the home showing the Solar PV
Winner of the 2013 "All In the Family" Tahoe Quarterly Legacy Award (read article), this home is not only cozy and family oriented, but also incorporates many sustainable features.

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS:
• SOLAR PV: 3.5kW photovoltaic array (20)-175 Watt panels
• SOLAR THERMAL: (3)Heliodyne Flat Plate collectors w/238 gallon, dual-stage storage tank and 200 kBTU/HR backup boiler.
• GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP: (9)-300ft deep wells with dual pumps providing both heating and cooling.
• PASSIVE SOLAR: 9% South Glazing Ratio, <3% at East & West
• Thermal Mass: Interior stonework and 1-1/2" gypcrete floors.

INDOOR AIR QUAILTY/HEALTH INTERIORS.
• Whole-house fan plus (8)-variable speed exhaust fans with occupancy sensors.
• Low VOC Cabinetry, Carpeting, and Finishes, Sealed building envelope to minimize air leakage.

RENEWABLE MATERIALS:
• Reclaimed wood siding and flooring.


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We purchased our home new around 20 years ago and we wanted a firm to guide us in a transformation that would include the addition of 2 more bedrooms, a wine cellar, a spa and expanded family room. After interviewing several design firms we choose to work with Kristi and her team at MWA and we are very satisfied with our choice.

The project was extensive and included an excavation under the existing home to add a third floor and expansion of the home’s footprint to accommodate access to the 3 floors. MWA developed a creative floor plan and brought their engineering expertise to a rather complex project. The project is recently completed and we are very pleased with the results and we now have a beautiful home with plenty of room for our grandchildren and guests.


-- KI Kimball & Marianne Igleheart
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