Case Study: Infill (residence)
I & I Revivify

Project Goals
The green aspects of this home needed to reflect the lifestyle of the client. As a massage therapist, the homeowner's focus was creating a healthy and clean environment. Combining the 4" pleated-media filter with a variable speed, 16 seer, fiber free HVAC system and an almost 100% natural building envelope, makes you want to step inside this home for a breath of fresh air. The no VOC paints and finishes plus the formaldehyde-free insulation also contribute to the healthy indoor environmental quality of this home.

Project Name/Location	Rating	Completion Date	Cost/ft2 (excludes land)
Infill residence Central Austin	4-Star	October 2004	$90

Project Description
This home was designed to enjoy Bouldin Creek Green Belt that runs through the back yard. The house is perfect blend of a custom home, an affordable home and a green home. The lot, once lived on by the great grandfather of the client, is less than ½ a mile from downtown, making this the perfect infill project.

Most of the 171 points that make this a 4-star home are found in the design, the planning, and the fine craftsmanship. The design specifically focused on saving energy and resources at every phase.

"I wanted to make this an example of the pride and passion we take in every one of our homes, and to show how conscious we are of the environment. I would like to thank the client for making a wise investment and allowing me to do everything possible within the budget to make this a healthy and energy efficient green home." - Casey Miller, Owner, I & I Revivify

Project Features

Energy:

• Variable speed, 16 seer HVAC equipment, located inside the conditioned space, pressure balancing for all rooms, and less than 10% duct leakage
• Total fill insulation made from recycled newspaper
• Roof radiant barrier
• 3 kW solar PV System, receiving one of the first Austin Energy Solar Rebates
• 100% EnergyStar rated appliances
• Passive solar design uses shade from trees, decks and large roof overhangs
• Double pane, low-E glass windows: placement and size designed for optimum energy efficiency
• Open floor plan allows for cross-ventilation
• All bathrooms and the laundry room have vent-fans with digital timer switches, for energy and humidity control
• Insulated garage walls and ceiling
• Compact florescent light bulbs installed in 85% of light fixtures

Materials:

• Pecan trees cut from the lot during clearing were hand milled on-site as main support post and bench
• Concrete counters in kitchen and bath, sealed with a water based sealer and buffed beeswax
• Durable and rapidly renewable bamboo flooring is installed in 87% of the home
• 97% of insulation is recycled and formaldehyde free
• All exterior doors are labeled EnergyStar
• Insulated garage doors
• Interior door and trim package are MDF and/or non-solid lumber
• Fiber-cement siding and trim
• Engineered trusses used for roof and floor framing

Water:

• Low water use landscaping: 70% with no grass and 90% water-wise plants planted or waiting to plant
• Gutters installed in preparation of future rainwater collection system
• Water-wise appliances, no dishwasher
• Water heater centrally located

Health and Safety:

• All interior paint has no VOC's
• 4" pleated-media filter installed in both units
• All plenums and ductwork are fiber-free
• Designed mechanical fresh-air ventilation system installed
• All insulation is formaldehyde-free

Community:

• Local neighborhood amenities, such as transit, parks, green-belts and shopping; practically downtown
• Built-in compost and recycling centers
• Lot size and house placement
• Utilities have been in place for many years
  

Testing/General Results:

All of our required 4 and 5-Star testing results came back with excellent results:

• System air-flow test results are within 10% of design flow calculations (calculated by a Manual D equivalent)
• Blower door tests require less than .5 ACH (air exchange per hour); we have .23 ACH, and have installed an outside fresh-air system
• Direct duct pressure test requires less than 10% duct leakage; we have 8.3% upstairs and 9.9% downstairs. (5-8% of this leakage is at the units, which are located in the conditioned space anyway
• House passes combustion safety/back draft test

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