Explore a unique, all-electric, passive house at a free tour, and see how energy-efficient design can significantly reduce a home’s heating and cooling costs by 80 to 90 percent.
The Heartland Renewable Energy Society and Kala Performance Homes will host two tours beginning at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 16 at 2625 Forest Ave., Kansas City, MO.
This new Beacon Hill Neighborhood high-performance home is on track to become the first passive-energy house in Missouri to be certified by the Passive House Institute US, according to the Kala Performance Homes, the builder. The house was designed by the architectural firm, Hoke-Lee, and the mechanical design was done by Positive Energy.
In simple terms, a passive home collects heat as the sun shines through south-facing windows and retains it in materials that store heat, which is also known as thermal mass, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Well-designed passive homes also use energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, provide daylight all year and increase a home’s comfort by using nighttime ventilation during warm months.
The Beacon Hill home was custom built for a local family. It has four bedrooms and three bathrooms in 2,500 square feet of space. Some of the energy features include:
- Triple-pane windows
- R20 slab and foundation walls using four-inch continuous rigid insulation
- R40 exterior walls utilizing Structurally Insulated Panels (SIP)
- R60 roof insulation
- R70 attic insulation
- Airtight construction
- Zero measurable air leakage in ductwork
- Ventilated rain screen
- Mechanically controlled, continuously filtered fresh air system
- Heat pump hot-water heater
- Ultra-low-energy heat pump for heating and cooling
- Electric vehicle charge ready
- Solar ready
To tour the home, reserve a time at Kala Performance Homes.