Living Building Home

With about 5 years of design and construction, this home’s sole intent is for true sustainable living. Nestled on 15 acres of farmland, it is one of the most eco-friendly homes in the world. Certified in 2017 by the International Living Future Institute, this “Living Building Challenge” home uses no fossil fuels for heat or power. The homeowners have a passion for instilling knowledge and inspiring others to live sustainably and are in the process of becoming a not-for-profit farming operation (Beacon Springs Farm, LLC) where all excess food gathered will go to Food Gatherers and Hope Clinic to provide fresh food for those who cannot afford it.

To achieve net-positive status, the house has a 60-panel solar array and a Trombe wall. It has a Geo-Store Hot Water Tank and a Fantech HRV system. The home was built to be air-tight with the following features: R-values of insulation: Slab and basement walls: R-30; Above-grade walls: R-48; Roof/ceiling: R-68; ResNet HERS Index of energy efficiency: –10; Usual range for a net-zero energy-ready home: < 30; Typical American home: 100