3303 Menlo

3303 Menlo is a V2008 LEED Platinum, new construction, single family detached home. This was a 6,000sqft home built with Insulated Concrete Form Foundations (ICF). Their foundation walls were insulated to R-24. Additionally, there was R-66 in the floors over the garage, and the above grade walls were constructed with Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPS) as well as very efficient windows (U values in the .18 range).

To further improve their energy score the team installed a Heat Pump Water heater and Dual Fuel Heat Pump, which were both top of the line efficiency ratings. We guided them to LEED Platinum with an ACH of 1.2 and Duct Leakage to Outside was less than 2%. They also installed a separately ducted ERV system which allows you to control and deliver air more precisely than through the HVAC system. It allows the ERV to run independently of the HVAC system running which allows for more occupant control over their systems.

The guts of this home were pretty impressive, but they did not leave the outside of the home empty handed. They installed 2 arrays of solar with the total capacity of 14kW. The home uses 68% less energy than the LEED reference home and has a HERS score of 11!

This project installed a Green Roof, no turf was installed, and this was 100% permeable lot. All the run-off from the site was directed to rain gardens, rain barrels, and a cistern! Preventing rainwater runoff is a regional priority in our area so this design was very impactful for our region. All captured water will go back into the site used for irrigating the landscaping. The exterior design of the home did not stop at the landscaping as they also incorporated a pergola shade structure to reduce some of the solar gain from entering the home. This was a considerable benefit as the rear of the home has large sections of glazing at the rear patio walk out and in the upper yoga deck.