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Cedarwood

    • Custom builder TC Legend Homes packed energy-efficiency features into this tidy retirement cottage in Bellingham, Washington, but left out the hefty price tag. The homeowners got the true zero energy home they always dreamed of for a move-in price of less than $144 per square foot.
    • Natural comfort is provided with south-facing orientation and extended overhangs that block unwanted sunlight in the summer and allow desired solar heat gain in the winter.
    • A roof-mounted 3.2-kW solar electric system is all it takes to power the home thanks to ultra-efficient insulation and comfort systems. These features helped the home earn the U.S. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certification.
    • High-efficiency appliances and water-saving fixtures save significant energy and water.
    • Low-/no-VOC glues, adhesives, paints, and water-based concrete floor sealer helped the home earn an EPA Indoor airPLUS certification and contribute to a healthful indoor environment.
    • The open layout allows more buoyant solar heated air to flow to the second floor naturally via the stack effect.
    • The natural comfort orientation of the TC Legend home is exemplified by the south-facing windows and doors, which allow sunlight to heat the stained concrete slab floors. These thermal mass floors provide a natural comfort balancing system for the home, absorbing heat during the day and radiating it back into the rooms at night. The ultra-efficient windows have insulating triple-pane glass and insulated vinyl frames that keep in the heat while letting in an abundance of natural daylight.
    • One ultra-efficient ductless heat pump provides all the heating and cooling the small home needs with a heating efficiency (HSPF) of 12 and a cooling efficiency (SEER) of 21.5, far higher than the minimum federal standard of 7.7 HSPF and 13 SEER.
    • The ultra-efficient foundation insulation in the TC Legend home consists of insulated concrete form (ICF) blocks that wrap the edges of the floor slab in R-28 of high-density foam and concrete while an additional R-20 of rigid foam provides an insulating layer separating the slab from the ground.
    • TC Legend uses structural insulated panel (SIP) thermal blanket construction. Each panel consists of a layer of rigid foam insulation sandwiched between two layers of OSB wood sheathing.

      Cedarwood

      Project Address

      Bellingham, WA

      Conditioned Square Footage
      1,055 sqft
      Number of Bedrooms
      1 Bed
      Number of Bathrooms
      1.0 Bath
      Number of Floors Above Grade
      2 Floors Above Grade
      Home Type
      Affordable
      Climate Zone Temperature
      Mixed
      Climate Zone Humidity
      Marine

      With PV

      HERS Index with PV
      13HERS (PV)
      Average Monthly Energy Bill PV
      $-8Average Monthly Energy Bill (PV)
      Annual Energy Cost Savings with PV
      $600Annual Energy Cost Savings (PV)
      30 Year Savings with PV
      $24,00030 Year Savings (PV)

      TC Legend Homes LLC

      ZERO

      HIA Year
      HIA Status
      Grand Winner
      HIA Category
      Affordable

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      Key Features

      Key Features
      All-electric home Insulated concrete form (ICF) walls and/or foundation Photovoltaics Structural insulated panel (SIP) walls or walls and roof Triple-pane windows Unvented insulated attic ACH 50 < 2.5 or CFM50/SF of enclosure ≤ 0.25

      Read the Case Study

      Testimonials

      Video Testimonial

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      Home owner (or occupant) Testimony
      We are committed to renewable energy and sustainable building practices, and this is the home we have been dreaming of building for more than 10 years. This is a home that will stand for generations. We will be able to meet our own energy needs throughout our retirement. We no longer have to worry about energy price fluctuations.
      Testimony Citation
      Homeowners Mike and Kristina

      Additional Media

      Finished Elevations

        Finished Interiors

          Under Construction

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            Other Images

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              Floor Plan