Replacing a dilapidated house in the Bonnie Doon neighborhood, the Montebello show home is expected to be one of the most energy efficient homes in Edmonton. The ultra efficient home is built using insulated concrete forms (ICF), solar heating and an impressive list of practical energy-saving and environmentally responsible components listed below.
Energy Saving Features of the New Home:
Heat conservation:
- Concrete home (nearly twice as insulated as a traditional wood frame home, cuts heating bills in half)
- Solar heating panels (produce 70% of hot water needs)
- High efficient wood burning fireplace (reduce reliance on natural gas)
- High efficient windows & doors (reduce heat loss)
Water conservation: - Rain barrels (reduce water drainage, reduce water consumption by using rain water on lawn or garden)
- Dual flush toilets (reduce water consumption with each flush)
- Low flow shower heads (reduce water consumption)
Further environmental considerations: - Concrete walls (reduce demand on forests)
- Reclaimed hardwood flooring (reduce demand on forests)
- Recycled carpet (reduce use of new products, reduce demand on land fills)
- Recycled deck material (reduce use of new products, reduce demand on land fills)
- Recycled garage door
- Maintenance free yard (reduce water consumption and need for weed control)
- Maintenance free deck (reduce maintenance materials such as paint or varnish)
- High efficient energy star appliances
- Longevity (Concrete home is rated to last centuries as opposed to decades for traditional wood framed home)
Despite the poor condition of the original home many components could be salvaged. Old friends, new neighbours, the home builder Dabrro Homes and the Architectural Clearing House (a salvage company) were invited to reclaim anything that was useful. Together they salvaged the following:
Salvaged materials: - Eves troughs
- Antique sink
- Doors
- Windows
- Furnace (for temporary heating)
- Appliances
- Plumbing fixtures
- Light fixtures
- Perennial plants
Great location:
The central location was
chosen to help reduce travel times and provide easy access to major bus
routes. The goal is to reduce urban sprawl and the proximity to the river trails encourages the use of bikes and other healthy alternatives such as walking, jogging, roller blading and cross country skiing.
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