16 SEER heat pump The heating and air conditioning system includes a 3 ton 16 SEER variable speed Lennox heat pump with a dual speed compressor and 15 KW of electric back up heat. The duct system is designed to provide proper air distribution, low velocity, and quiet air flow to all conditioned spaces, free from objectionable drafts. Multiple return air or transfer grills are installed to maintain proper airflow and pressure in all spaces. Balancing dampers, hinged splitter type, are installed in trunk ducts at all main tees and wyes. Standard in most new houses are 10 SEER units. SEER is an energy consumption rating similar to the gas mileage rating in cars. In this residence, with a 16 SEER, you are getting the Prius of heat pumps.

MERV 16 air filterationYour Health House is equipped with a Healthy Climate 5 inch pleated media filter with a minimum MERV rating of 16. It is designed to work with your heating and cooling system, installed in the duct system, to deliver cleaner, fresher air throughout the entire home. A MERV 16 filter is designed to remove a minimum of 95% of circulated fine particles (from .3 microns and up) like dust, mold spores, and other allergy-aggravating irritants that are easily inhaled deep into the lungs. A point of interest is that MERV 14 filters are typically used as the final filters in hospital HVAC systems.

Borate treated wood deckingBorate Treated Wood is a great new alternative to the pressure treated woods of the past which were infused with arsenic and heavy metals. Wood treated using DOT Borates is non-volatile, odorless and virtually non-corrosive. Borate Treated wood repels pests like termites, carpenter ants, fleas and cockroaches. This new generation of pressure treated wood is a safe non-toxic alternative that raises the bar for performance and quality.

Continously circulating hot waterThe hot water line is a continuous loop with a small circulating pump to make for “instant” hot water at your fixtures eliminating the long wait for the cold water to run out of the pipes.

Superior wall systemThe foundation of your Health House is a Superior Walls Xi Foundation System. Superior Walls are 5000 psi steel reinforced, insulated concrete wall panels. The product forms a concrete cavity wall panel with concrete studs at 24 inches on center attached at the top and bottom with bond beams. This foundation system creates a superlative capillary break between the ground and the structure since the bottom bond beam of the foundation as well as the concrete floor slab is never in contact with the ground itself. Superior Walls are warranted for 15 years against defects in workmanship and side wall water penetration. The concrete used in Superior Walls provides warranted lifetime protection against freeze/thaw cycles and water vapor transmission. With 5-1/2” fiberglass batt insulation installed between the studs, the foundation system delivers an R-Value of 31.5.

Exterior wallsThe exterior walls are constructed of 2 x 4 spruce studs with ½” oriented strand board sheathing and Tyvek house wrap. The walls are insulated with BioBased Systems soy based polyurethane spray-in-place foam. The walls are framed from the foundation plate all the way to the roof plate as one continuous panel. The floors are then “balloon framed” within the continuously insulated exterior envelope to reduce air leakage and provide continuous insulation. BioBased 501, is water blown and contains no CFC, HCFC’s, or formaldehyde. BioBased foam insulation is not fiber based and contains no harmful particulates.

SIPs roofThe roof assembly is constructed of 8-1/4” an Insulspan structural insulated panel system (SIPS) producing a composite R35 at 25 degrees F. A SIP system is a composite panel consisting of an expanded polystyrene core laminated between two layers of oriented strand board. The SIPS are installed as 8 by 14 foot panels with the joints foamed and taped. With no possibility of air movement within or around the panels, the insulative performance of the roof far exceeds a comparable truss or rafter structure. The roofing material consists of Timberline 30 Premium Architectural shingles by GAF. The GAF white shingles are the only shingles in the United States that meet both the initial and maintenance Energy Star performance levels for steep-slope roofing products. Eaves received GAF Weather Watch leak barrier roof underlayment.

Reflective roofingThe light color of the roofing material used on this house is a significant contributor to energy efficiency and sustainability. Light colored roofing materials reflect the suns energy instead of absorbing it. This allows your roof to remain cooler through most of the summer months, minimizing the heat gain from the sun inside the building envelope, which in turn reduces the load on your cooling equipment and lowers your energy bill. It also reduces the negative “heat island effect” of the home by reducing the amount of heat radiating from the roof into the atmosphere.

Fly ash concreteRecycled Fly Ash is a significant component in the concrete mix used in the construction of this house. Fly Ash is a by product formed in the process of burning coal to make electricity. Incorporating Fly Ash into concrete actually improves the strength and segregation of the mix. Using Fly Ash concrete is an easy way to recycle an otherwise useless by product.

Whole house dehumidificationIndoor air quality is maintained by a ducted, Ultra-Aire, whole house, dehumidifier capable of keeping the relative humidity of the entire home at a level lower than 50% in all weather. By controlling the amount of moisture in the air, we control molds, funguses, mites and other biological contaminants. These pollutants need an environment with more than 50% relative humidity to thrive and survive. Your Health House is designed to maintain a 40% relative humidity. Fresh air for the home is brought in through the dehumidifier where it is filtered, dehumidified, and mixed with the air being circulated by the air handler of the heating – air conditioning system. It is very important that the air in a tightly built home is supplemented with fresh air from the outside.

Low "e" windowsThese Low-E Insulated windows allow a large amount of light into the living space without sacrificing efficiency and comfort. The Low-E component of these windows also blocks harmful UV rays which over time can cause your furniture to fade and deteriorate prematurely. The highly insulated glass structure maximizes the amount of light coming into the home without compromising the tightness and insulated efficiency of the building envelope.

Low VOC wood floor finishEon 70 is a new wood floor finish made by Bona, the same company that makes Traffic wood floor finish which has been known as the very best for years. Eon 70 sets the world standard for environmentally responsible waterborne finishes with only 70 grams per liter of Volatile Organic Compound out gassing.

Media wiringEvery room is wired with television, phone, and internet outlets. All outlet terminations home run to a central panel for outside hook ups.

ZERO-VOC interior paintYour Health House is finished with Sherwin Williams, Harmony, interior latex paint that contains zero Volatile Organic Compounds (0 grams/liter per EPA method 24). This paint provides a durable, low-odor, anti-microbial, interior coating without silica. Harmony coatings meet or exceed the criteria set forth by the U. S. Green Building Council LEED criteria.

Radon mitigationRadon is an odorless radio active gas that occurs naturally in the ground and can seep into our houses. According to the American Lung Association, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U. S. today after smoking. This residence has a system known as sub-slab depressurization which uses pipes installed below the concrete slab that are vented through the roof. If an unusually high level of radon is detected, an in line fan can be added to enhance the system’s function.

Sealed combustion fireplaceYour Health House Fireplace is a Lennox Merit Plus direct vent, sealed combustion, natural gas fireplace. Combustion pollutants are one category of indoor air pollutants. Combustion pollutants are gasses or particles that come from burning materials. The American Lung Association Health House standards require that all combustion appliances by directly vented out of the house.

Security systemSecurity wiring is run from the two exterior doors, a keypad, and siren location, to a control panel in the mechanical room. The full security package is available at a nominal up-charge and may be custom designed to include coverage of windows, glass breakage, motion, and other enhancements.

Water filtrationAll of your water will be filtered through this Aqua-Pure premium performance activated charcoal filter which effectively reduces unwanted chlorine taste and odor as well as microscopic particles of rust and sediment.

Plus These Special Luxury Features: Located ONE MILE from downtown mall • Mountain views • Barrier free entry from parking to all first floor spaces • Rear patio with outside storage shed • Private deck and garden space • Cathedral ceilings • Solid wood floors • Ceramic tile • Hardwood floors • Hard-wired security package • City gas and utilities • Bundled TV cable, phone, and Internet wiring • Circulating "instant" hot water system • Master suite - soaking tub, ceramic shower • Four full bathrooms • Premium cabinetry, stainless steel appliances • Granite counter and bar tops