The Cunningham/Piñon home demonstrates how practical it can be to use energy from the sun in our cloudy Portland climate, but also that passive solar design can be inexpensive and blend aesthetically with traditional architectural styles. In building their home, they wove economic and environmental concerns together in making choices that promote sustainability. For example, they chose to build in an urban area in need of revitalization, which helps build community, reduce suburban sprawl and cut down on car use. Their home sits on what was a vacant lot in the NE Sabin area, a neighborhood that was in a renewal zone. They chose to use recycled and non -toxic materials. And, they incorporated many energy efficiency measures into the passive solar design. Their 1,250 square foot passive solar home was built in 1994 for only $75 per square foot compared to the building average of $85.

John and Bess wanted their home to be simple, comfortable, affordable, energy-efficient and architecturally similar to other homes in their traditional neighborhood. With this in mind, they chose to work with architects Greg Acker and Andre DeBar of Portland. The architect's goal was also to create affordable and responsible housing to strengthen the city's neighborhoods. The owners were pleased to find that as they worked with their architects that their budget and aesthetic needs were entirely compatible with the climate driven considerations for passive solar design.

With the new homes limitations and opportunities, Greg Acker and Andre DeBar began by designing an efficient building envelope. Insulation performance for the walls was increased to R-23 which was above the R-16 required at that time. Because heat rises and tends to find its way out through a home's roof more than through its walls, the architects did even more to increase ceiling insulation. The building code required R-30, but this home has R 50. R-15 rigid insulation is used under the slab. Since the architects were also the builders, they were able to ensure the quality and thoroughness of caulking and sealing around windows and other areas susceptible to air infiltration.

Beyond efficiency measures, the architects took optimal advantage of passive solar through orienting the long side of the home, and the public rooms toward the south. Thermal mass on the first floor, in the form of a concrete slab covered by tile, absorbs extra heat on sunny days.

The 2 bedroom home includes spacious 9 foot tall and vaulted ceilings. The energy features also include a thermosyphon solar water heater. Overhangs provide shading. The narrow rooms have ample daylighting and cross ventilation. The heating system on the first floor is in-floor radiant heat. Low toxic and recycled content materials are used throughout including formaldehyde-free cabinetry and carpeting with recycled content. Energy efficient appliances include a clothes washer that heats the water to the set temperature, thereby reducing the water heater bills.

The home was extensively analyzed in a 1997 Solar Today article that looked at the energy performance using software developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and available from the Passive solar Industries Council. The home was compared to a reference home with identical size and configuration but no particular solar orientation or window placement and insulation that would only meet (not exceed) current building codes. In comparison with the reference house, John and Bess have a heating savings of 42 percent. The first 26 percent is due to the extra insulation and a lower air exchange rate because of the care the contractor took in sealing the home. The remaining 16 percent of savings is due to the solar gain through the south facing windows coupled with the thermal mass of the floors. The home's orientation and window placement and shading also resulted in an estimated cooling saving of about 50 percent. The bottom line was a savings $150 per year on their energy bill.

Taken as a total package, with passive solar design and energy efficiency as important elements, John and Bess and their architects have created an example of sustainability that they can be very proud of. They demonstrate that the sun can contribute significantly to an integrated sustainable home design in a Portland traditional neighborhood. And, be a simple, elegant, affordable and sustainable home.

Features
· New home built in 1994
· Passive solar design
· Tile flooring & radiant heating
· Overhangs and trellis shading
· Renewable energy -solar hot water
· Energy efficiency
· Low toxicity materials
· Recycled materials
· Urban infill
· Affordable home
· Formaldehyde-free cabinetry
· Recycled content carpet
· Natural linoleum flooring

System Details
System Type: Passive solar design
Copper Cricket Solar water heater
House: Built in 1994
Size: 1,250 sf, 2 bedrooms
Architect: Greg Acker, Architect
Contractor: Eco+Tech (Greg Acker and Andre DeBar)