This home’s design is based generally on the European passive house model. It is highly insulated, south facing and as air tight as possible. There is a heat recovery ventilation system which lets in fresh air while the solar hot water panels provide for the domestic hot water load and the solar electric panels provide close to 5,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. While most of the home is heated by the sun, stored in thermal mass of the concrete floor, there is a heat pump in the small apartment and the main house has a small propane fireplace. This incredibly energy efficient home utilizes sustainability in it’s yard as well. The yard is half vegetable, flower, butterfly shrubs and small fruit gardens.