Soak Up the Sun: A Solar-Powered Home in Berkeley, California

(Page 3 of 3)

May/June 2009
By Lori Tobias 
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Architect: Chris Parlette, WA Design, (510) 883-0868      
Builder: Chris Parlette
Interior Design and Landscaping: Chris Parlette
House Size (square footage): 1,800
Bedrooms: 3
Bathroom: 2.5
Cost per Square Foot: $300

Energy

Heating/Cooling System: Gas heating with 95 percent efficiency rating and fresh outside air intake
Exterior-mounted, high-efficiency, tankless Rinnai water heater
Electricity Source: Grid-tied, 100 percent photovoltaic (PV), net-zero house; 8 ASE Americas 300-watt PV panels; Sunny Boy Inverter 2500U; 2,400 peak watts
Lighting: Low voltage and fluorescent
Appliances: Energy Star
Insulation: Icynene spray foam

Building Materials

Exterior: Integral color Parex stucco
Composite wood/recycled plastic lumber window trim
Galvalume metal eaves
Composite wood/recycled plastic lumber deck, fencing and gate
Interior Materials: Integral color plaster, handcrafted custom counters of fly ash concrete and recycled plastic aggregate
100 percent recycled plastic tiles on bath and laundry floors 
Recycled Douglas fir roof beams
Benjamin Moore Eco Spec low-odor, low-VOC acrylic latex paint
100 percent natural wool carpet with wool and natural jute backing and natural wool pad
Bamboo flooring
Recycled steel cabinet pulls and drawer fronts

Water

Water Conservation Systems: Future hookup to graywater system
Fixtures: Low-flow toilets and low-flow showerhead on lower level

Construction

Waste Reduction: Use of existing house framing reduced waste.
Recycling: Salvaged construction waste
Construction Methods: Standard framing incorporating recycled lumber

Landscaping

Site and Land Use: Adding second story minimized footprint
Plants: Drought-tolerant
Water Conservation: Drip irrigation system; future graywater plans
Porous paving

Certification

Energy Star   

Lori Tobias is a 20-year journalist who writes for The Oregonian. She has been a Natural Home contributor since 2000.

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Comments

  • Don Hall 5/7/2009 1:29:50 PM

    Chris turned a wicked briar patch home into a Cinderella Castle however you can bet the cost reflected the effort.

    I wish more architects and eco conscious mags would note the extreme danger and difficulty in ridding ourselves of fluorescent lights, those little sqiggle tube monsters contain mercury! Where are the LED lights?

    Also, I noticed the A/C was missing ... how cool is that? The design is open and tall, perfect for flow through ventilation. Ahh, don't you love 'Frisco?

    Applaud the concrete countertops and the fact that just about anybody willing to properly finish them can actually do concrete themselves. Maybe not perfectly, but hey, the end product is always very serviceable!

    Put some bucket gardens of tomatoes and greens, some window pots, maybe grow Wheatgrass and lots of green to compliment the backyard and awsome little kitchen.

    I have to give this guy 5 stars for his renovation ... Zero electricity! Now, maybe Chris can get an electric scooter or car to complete his quest! My EVT was the first American li-ION powered scooter (using ThunderSky batts).

    Way to go ... great article!

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