5th Continent

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Case Study #3 - 5th Continent

This home is in Vancouver underwent a massive renovation from inside out. e3eco group was brought in at the beginning to help look at ways to improve energy efficiency and overall sustainable renovation practices.

A plan was designed and then implemented with the contractor to ensure all key areas were renovated according to plan.

The client also wanted to make the living space as non-toxic as possible and chose materials with low off-gassing qualities. The final result is a home that can be truly enjoyed. It consumes approximately 40% less energy than homes of similar size, had no “new-house smell” when the client moved in and is a real testament to form and function working in a cohesive manner. Some of the considerations the client had and the solutions chosen were as follows:

Natural landscaping, drainage and non-pvc or aluminum
siding - natural shading design elements - no paving on
driveway - natural stone.

Baxi - On demand hot water heat is
essentially the homes furnace along with high performance appliances

Energy Efficiency:

Passive solar design with main living spaces and glazing oriented due south. All glass tuned to ensure higher performance with solar heat gain and superior insulation.
Walls were insulated using Icynene - allowing us to reduce cost by filling existing lath and plaster walls with R15 insulation that provided an air tight envelope to reduce air infiltration. Attic was insulated to R45.
Slab was re-poured - in doing so slab was insulated with added radiant features to help promote energy efficiency. R10 under the slab
On-demand water heater (shown)– closed loop system for radiant heat and open loop for potable water (both potable and radiant heat are provided by the same unit)
Roof overhangs - not implemented yet on top floor will provide south side shade in summer and allow solar gain in winter.
Deck was designed to shade lower floor windows from summer heat gain.
Wood windows with zero VOC sealer with tuned double glazing on west and north orientations.
Fresh air intake with intake fan installed to provide fresh air supply. Existing exhaust fans remove stale air.
Client to install high efficiency fireplace insert.

Environmental Concerns:

No PVC
Zero-VOC paint
Low-VOC finish on the polished concrete slab floor
Low-formaldehyde content cabinets (researched German E-1 spec)
Restored wood floors
Appliances are all low-energy consuming
All pot light fixtures - energy efficient/air tight.
Natural landscaping – wildflower meadow, clover & creeping thyme, flagstone patio and walkway
Used materials that are high-quality and long lasting .
House was pre-wired for future solar hot water.
Attic insulation used was formaldehyde free batt insulation.

Refinished Oak flooring - air tight pot lights, zero VOC paints and finishes.

Roof overhangs on south side - all natural
siding, natural drainage - river rock drainage bed

The final outcome - this was a great project. But at the end of the day - it's the client that says the most.

We are very happy with the work e3eco group did for us in making our house more efficient and environmentally friendly, and recommend his services. G&M

Preconstruction stage -

Sustainable | environmentally friendly | energy efficient | building design