Vital Stats | Section | Points |
Location: Bellingham
Star Level: Built Green 5-Star
Checklist: 2021 Single-Family New Construction
Builder: TC Legend Homes Verifier: Ecoe Company LLC
| Site and Water | 163 |
| Energy Efficiency | 152 |
| Health and Indoor Air Quality | 127 |
Material Efficiency
| 114 |
| Equity and Social Justice | 41 |
| | Total Score | 597 |
Photography Credit: John Trax with Zigzag Mountain Art
Written by: Nicole Miller
Project Overview
Out on a secluded lot in Whatcom County, Forest Run home is a peaceful retreat for retirement. This 2 bed, 1 bath, 1234sf single-family-residence plus 1152sf garage and shop was built on a lot that entices you to pull up a chair and listen to
the birds, frogs, bugs and furry critters in the surrounding forest. Once inside, you feel a sense of coziness by the warm-toned finishes while still having a great connection to the idyllic nature surrounding the home through the large and
strategically placed windows.
With a HERS index score of 41 without and 10 with solar production respectively, Forest Run excels at energy efficiency. On top of being awarded Built Green 5-Star, the home has received Energy Star, EPA Indoor airPLUS, and Zero Energy Ready Home
certifications.
BUILT GREEN HIGHLIGHTS:
Site and Water
- Retained a tree grove on site
- No turf grass installed
- Landscaped with drought-tolerant plants
- Landscaped with at least 50% native species
- Achieved a 53% reduction in water usage
- All WaterSense certified plumbing fixtures
Energy Efficiency
- ERI of 41 without solar production and 10 with solar production
- Energy Star & DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certified
- Passive solar design with advanced features such as triple-pane, Low E, argon-filled windows and extended eaves. Windows are sized and placed to achieve solar shading in the summer and solar heating during the winter.
- Heated using a ductless mini-split heat pump
- Continuously ventilated in every room by the Fantech Hero 250 HRV
- 5.04kW rooftop solar array
- Exceptionally air sealed to 0.46ACH
- Highly insulated envelope with R-29 walls, R-59 ceiling, R-20 under-slab insulation and R-24 stem walls
Health and Indoor Air Quality
- EPA Indoor airPLUS certified
- GREENGUARD Gold certified oak flooring
- Only low-/no-VOC finishes used
- Continuously ventilated by the Fantech Hero 250 HRV in a balanced system
- Ventilation system has built in HEPA filtration to ensure clean indoor air
- Built-in humidity, temperature, and CO2 monitors
- All electric home
Materials Efficiency:
- Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) exterior walls and roof which reduces on-site waste and transportation time
- Locally produced under-slab insulation, Hardie siding and SIPs
- Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) stem walls which reduced concrete use
- Solid, locally made, maple plywood cabinets
- Embodied carbon calculated using BEAM to help inform future construction
- Focused on using at least 10 products with EPDs to be able to more accurately calculate embodied carbon
Equity & Social Justice:
- Developed and implemented a project specific ESJ plan
- Designed for aging-in-place with zero-threshold entry and shower, at least 2’10” doors, lever handles, and widened walkways
