Replacing your old, difficult to open patio door with a new energy efficient Sunrise Patio door will reduce costly heating and cooling expenses for years to come.

The homeowner of this third floor renovation in Toronto's Roncesvalles neighbourhood wanted to make more efficient use of the space and tackle drafts through insulation, air sealing, and balanced ventilation. The project saved an estimated 6,597 KG of C02 compared to a typical renovation of the same size. That’s equal to the carbon that 171 trees remove from the air we breathe during their lifetime!* While insulation and high efficiency windows reduce energy (i.e. natural gas) needed to heat and cool the home, other measures such as waste diversion and non-toxic building materials are also critical in reducing environmental impact and safeguarding occupant health. For this project, like others, we developed a number of plans, including waste diversion, materials, resources and transportation.

Beach style living room photo in Los Angeles

Pella Corporate
Elegant u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, white walls and a peninsula

The homeowner of this third floor renovation in Toronto's Roncesvalles neighbourhood wanted to make more efficient use of the space and tackle drafts through insulation, air sealing, and balanced ventilation. The project saved an estimated 6,597 KG of C02 compared to a typical renovation of the same size. That’s equal to the carbon that 171 trees remove from the air we breathe during their lifetime!* While insulation and high efficiency windows reduce energy (i.e. natural gas) needed to heat and cool the home, other measures such as waste diversion and non-toxic building materials are also critical in reducing environmental impact and safeguarding occupant health. For this project, like others, we developed a number of plans, including waste diversion, materials, resources and transportation.

The radiative properties of the cool metal roofing reduced the amount of heat transfer into the house and thus the overall cooling costs of the home by 20%. Thin-film lightweight photovoltaic solar panels were attached without penetrating the roof to further increase the energy efficiency of this cutting edge home.

Vista Sunrise V33 Bronze: A film that fights glare, reduces fading, is energy efficient and has excellent heat rejection. The bronze tone gives this home a warm glow, even on grey days.

This modern bathroom oasis encompasses many elements that speak of minimalism, luxury and even industrial design. The white vessel sinks and freestanding modern bathtub give the room a slick and polished appearance, while the exposed piping and black hanging lights provide some aesthetic diversity. The angled ceiling and skylights allow so much light, that the room feels even more spacious than it already is. The marble floors give the room a gleaming appearance, and the chrome accents, seen on the cabinet pulls and bathroom fixtures, reminds us that sleek is in. NS Designs, Pasadena, CA http://nsdesignsonline.com 626-491-9411

The homeowners were ready to renovate this basement to add more living space for the entire family. Before, the basement was used as a playroom, guest room and dark laundry room! In order to give the illusion of higher ceilings, the acoustical ceiling tiles were removed and everything was painted white. The renovated space is now used not only as extra living space, but also a room to entertain in. Photo Credit: Natan Shar of BHAMTOURS

A deep retrofit reduces building cost, while increasing energy efficiency through modernization of equipment and systems, like HVAC, plumbing, electrical and recladding to name a few.

Perfect view

The homeowner of this third floor renovation in Toronto's Roncesvalles neighbourhood wanted to make more efficient use of the space and tackle drafts through insulation, air sealing, and balanced ventilation. The project saved an estimated 6,597 KG of C02 compared to a typical renovation of the same size. That’s equal to the carbon that 171 trees remove from the air we breathe during their lifetime!* While insulation and high efficiency windows reduce energy (i.e. natural gas) needed to heat and cool the home, other measures such as waste diversion and non-toxic building materials are also critical in reducing environmental impact and safeguarding occupant health. For this project, like others, we developed a number of plans, including waste diversion, materials, resources and transportation.

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Custom rooftop skylight built with passive solar design principles. In the Summer , direct summer sun is blocked thus reducing heat inside the home BUT it accepts reflected light thus increasing interior light.....the result is great light without the overwhelming heat. In the wintertime, the skylight receives direct sun which increases light and radiant energy within the home.

What is Vukler Greensafe?? Vukler facade + solar panels. Why? - maximize energy efficiency of your property: both residential and commercial; ?? - reduce energy costs;? - help the planet and make it a better place. ? How does it work? Place the order for installation of energy efficient Vukler facade and solar panels and here is what you get: - reduce energy costs by 100%; ⚡ - favorable conditions for your project financing without affecting your credit score; ? By ordering Vukler Greensafe you show concern not only for your own home, but also for the whole planet. That is what Vukler calls eco friendly technologies. Sounds great? But that's not all buying Vukler Greensafe you’ll also get cash-back from Department of Water and Power.? ? Give us a call to get more details of Vukler Greensafe or to place an order ? (424) 407-80-74

This photo highlights a succulent garden with a mixture of bulbine, agave, and cactus plants.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional full sun stone landscaping in Austin for summer.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

UltraGlide 2 Opaque Duette Honeycomb soft shades by Hunter Douglas give this nursery superb light control and are highly energy efficient. They reduce heat loss through windows by up to 40% in winter and reduce unwanted heat through windows by up to 80% in the summer months.