My top priorities were saving over 75 % energy and 50% water conservation thru reclamation over a convention home. I was also testing out the IECC 2009 section 405.3 performance standards utilizing new technologies.All of which were being studied by a research grant from Sandia and Los Alamos National Labs.Coincidentally,section 405.3 of the 2009 IECC recognizes DOE Labs as acceptable testing agencies.The main challenge was being accepted by the local building authorities.This home has no attic insulation at all and is primarily wrapped in Expanded Polystyrene.

The water conservation was accomplished by integrating the residential fire suppression system into the cold water plumbing system while supplying all of the cold water fixtures and then reclaiming the used water from the showers,lavatories,baths and laundry.This led to us being able to reclaim over 55% of our water while simultaneously increasing the effectivenes of the normally ineffective low flow toilets and water restricting shower heads.In our drought stricken area this recalimed water was the difference between having trees,shrubs and grass live or die.

As a result of our new building technology we were able to receive a HERS Rating of 56 for a 2500 sq ft home that was constructed for under $200,000 which also included the solar thermal heating/cooling system and the solar domestic water system.