This modern 2,620 square foot, three bedroom, two and a half bath residence in Chico was completed in 2023.  

Large windows provide excellent daylight and open views to the beautiful site located across the street from Bidwell Park.  The house is sited to take advantage of passive solar heating in the winter months.

We employed the following energy conservation details for this home:

• Cool roof metal roofing

• R-42 unvented high performance attic with 2” of spray foam underneath the roof sheathing and R-30 blown-in insulation at the ceiling

• 12” tall energy heel at truss to wall connection

• Deep overhangs providing protection from rain and direct solar gain in the summer

• R-23 fiberglass BIB wall insulation

• Advanced framing walls with insulated headers (reducing wood framing & increasing insulation ~20%)

• Foamed and taped wall penetrations including doors and windows

• Taped plywood joints

The air sealing measures were very successful and produced an 0.89 ACH at 50 pascals air blower result.  For reference, the Passive House Institute’s standard is 0.6 ACH at 50 pascals; therefore, this home almost reaches Passive House standards without the intensive Passive House methodology.

The follow appliances and equipment were selected to further reduce the potential energy load:

• 80 gallon heat pump water heater

• Ducted and ductless mini splits for space heating and cooling

• Induction cook top

• Ducted ERV (energy recovery ventilator)