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AndersonSargent Wins Top EnergyValue Housing Award
 AndersonSargent Custom Builder LP of Waxahachie, Texas was recently named the Builder of the Year in the EnergyValue Housing Awards for its zero-energy home’s exceptional energy performance and the company’s tireless commitment to energy efficiency.
The builder worked with the Building America program to dramatically reduce energy loads and to incorporate renewable energy production via rooftop solar panels in the zero-energy home, which is expected to offset all of its energy consumption with renewable energy production.
The company chose many unique materials and methods, including an extensive array of “green” products, for the residence, which was featured as the 2005 IBS Dallas Show House. Its walls are constructed of insulating concrete forms made with recycled waste wood that provide an R-value of 14. Through passive solar design, the home obtains much of its heating and lighting from the sun; excess solar energy is stored in its plaster walls, concrete floors and interior masonry. A light-colored exterior, combined with a reflective roof, mitigate intense summertime heat.
 Two roof-mounted solar collectors also provide hot water and hydronic heating. The energy is stored in a 105-gallon storage tank, with supplemental energy provided by a tankless gas water heater. An on-demand hot water recirculation system rapidly provides hot tap water with the push of a button — a system that offers convenience, reduces the waste of water and provides superior energy efficiency over conventional recirculation systems.
Critical to the home’s performance are ducts that were carefully planned to be completely within conditioned space and to provide balanced airflow throughout the home. To simplify the process, the builder used open-webbed floor trusses and spray foam insulation at the roofline to create an unvented attic.
Ninety percent of the lighting fixtures are pin-type fluorescent bulbs that cannot be replaced with standard incandescent lamps. Fluorescent lights reduce energy consumption and lighting heat by about 75%. In addition, the passive solar design optimizes natural daylighting to reduce electrical lighting needs.
 Eight kilowatts (8 kW) of photovoltaic capacity supply electricity to the house. Excess electricity production is fed into the utility grid; when there isn’t enough sunshine to run the house, supplemental electricity is provided by the utility. When the system produces excess power, the utility meter runs backwards.
Construction cost for the 3,800-square-foot home, including the renewable energy systems and many green building features, was about $171 per square foot.
For additional information on AndersonSargent’s prize-winning home, click here.
Applications for the 2007 EnergyValue Housing Awards are now available. For EVHA program information and to apply, click here.
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