A net zero energy home for the rest of us

After nearly a decade building energy-efficient and green homes, builder RDC Fine Homes, Inc. is taking energy efficiency to the next level. Whistler, British Columbia-based RDC has partnered with Insulspan® and homeowners Richard and Jennifer Wyne to build the Whistler Vision house, a green, net zero energy home that will be on display during the 2010 Olympic Games.

The goal? The home must produce enough energy to result in net zero energy consumption over a period of one year. However, the home must blend into the surrounding neighborhood, and be practical for a family lifestyle.

One of the critical elements of the home’s energy-efficient design is a well-insulated and airtight building envelope. Therefore, Plastispan® EPS insulation was used beneath the home’s concrete slab. Additionally, the Advantage Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) System® provided insulation for the foundation walls. RDC specified the Insulspan® Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) system for the walls of the home.

“Part of the advantage of Insulspan products is that they magnify the efficiency of the home.” – Richard Wyne, homeowner

“Part of the advantage of Insulspan products is that they magnify the efficiency of the home,” said homeowner Richard Wyne. “Insulspan SIPs allow us to achieve the airtightness to make the home and the HVAC system work correctly.”

In addition to increasing the thermal efficiency of the building envelope, Insulspan’s ready-to-assemble system cuts down on framing time and helps reduce the cost of energy-efficient construction.

“We decided that SIPs help achieve an airtight building envelope with a high R-Value at the best price point we could find,” said Bob Deeks, the owner of RDC. “We are committed to doing all our new construction with SIPs as long as we can convince the client it is in their best interest.”

The Whistler Vision house uses both active and passive solar technologies. It also uses a state of the art zoned ventilation system with a heat recovery ventilator. RDC sought to reduce material and water usage by using polished concrete floors and low flow fixtures throughout the home. Rooftop photovoltaic solar panels will generate all the electricity the home requires.