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McElmo Canyon Custom

    • Mantell-Hecathorn Builders built this 1,559-square-foot home in Durango, Colorado, to the performance criteria of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
    • Energy-efficiency measures incorporated in the high-performance home are expected to save homeowners $2,500 in energy costs compared to a similar sized home built to code.
    • All of the home's lighting is provided by advanced solid-state LEDs.
    • When the 6.8-kW solar electric system is added, the home achieves a Home Energy Rating System score of -13; it actually produces more power in a year than it uses.
    • An ENERGY STAR-rated refrigerator adds to energy savings.
    • All water fixtures and faucets are low flow to meet the requirements of the EPA WaterSense program. Hot water is provided by an ultra-efficient heat pump water heater.
    • Passive solar design features, such as extensive south-facing windows and exposed concrete slab flooring to absorb winter sun, take advantage of free passive solar heating, while overhangs block high summer sun.
    • The home meets the EPA Indoor airPLUS requirements including the use of low- or no-VOC wood products, primer, paint, cabinets, and flooring.
    • Two high-efficiency (12 HSPF, 26 SEER) ductless mini-split heat pumps heat and cool the home.
    • A capillary break stops water from moving from the footing up into the wall.

      McElmo Canyon Custom

      Project Address

      Cortez, CO

      Conditioned Square Footage
      1,559 sqft
      Number of Bedrooms
      2 Beds
      Number of Bathrooms
      2.0 Baths
      Number of Floors Above Grade
      1 Floor Above Grade
      Home Type
      Custom
      Climate Zone Temperature
      Cold
      Climate Zone Humidity
      Dry

      With PV

      HERS Index with PV
      -13HERS (PV)
      Average Monthly Energy Bill PV
      $-10Average Monthly Energy Bill (PV)
      Annual Energy Cost Savings with PV
      $2,600Annual Energy Cost Savings (PV)
      30 Year Savings with PV
      $111,00030 Year Savings (PV)

      Mantell-Hecathorn Builders Inc.

      ZERO

      HIA Year
      HIA Status
      Winner
      HIA Category
      Housing Innovation Award

      Learn More

      Key Features

      Key Features
      All-electric home Cold-climate heat pump Energy / Heat recovery ventilator Electric Vehicle Charger Installed or Wired for Charger Heat pump water heater Insulated concrete form (ICF) walls and/or foundation Photovoltaics Triple-pane windows ACH 50 < 2.5 or CFM50/SF of enclosure ≤ 0.25 Double Walls

      Read the Case Study

      See the Poster

      Testimonials

      Home owner (or occupant) Testimony
      The passive solar features that were built into my house … help warm the place in winter and cool the place in summer. The photovoltaic panels provide for all my daytime energy needs. The house is so well-built that heating and cooling demands are minimal. I am confident that the house they built for me will meet all of my future needs.
      Testimony Citation
      Homeowner

      Additional Media

      Finished Elevations

        Finished Interiors

          Under Construction

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            Other Images

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              Floor Plan