2009 Sponsors:
BASF Chemical CompanyBroan/NuTone SeiscoThe Vinyl InstituteBuilding GreenWhirlpool

People's Choice Award

2009 EnergyValue Housing Award People's Choice Award

See Previous People's Choice Award Winners

For the fourth year, the public can choose its favorite EVHA finalist.

To vote for your favorite home, follow these steps:

  1. Review the project summaries below
  2. Select Pick Me! next to your home choice
  3. Click the button at the bottom of the page

There are 12 finalists. Please select only one in order to make your vote count. Deadline to vote is January 19, 2009 at 12:00 noon Eastern Time.

The winner will be announced at the 2009 EVHA Banquet on January 19, 2009, and posted on this page on January 20, 2009.

Finalists were chosen from hot, moderate, and cold climate regions in the following categories:

  • Affordable
  • Custom
  • Production

2009 EVHA FINALISTS

*The builders' names have been removed from the summaries to avoid voter bias.

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Category: Custom
Climate: Moderate
Location: Coupeville, Washington
Square Footage: 1,927 s.f.
Construction Cost: $169 per s.f.
Energy Features:
  • Foundation: Slab-on-grade with R-20 under slab and slab edge insulation
  • Wall Construction: Structural Insulated Panels
  • Wall Insulation: R-25
  • Rim Joist Insulation: R-10 rigid foam + R-19 fiberglass batt insulation 
  • Roof Construction: Raised-heel roof trusses
  • Ceiling Insulation: R-38 (flat); R-32 SIPs (vaulted)
  • Windows: Low-e, gas-filled vinyl windows; U-0.3; SHGC 0.31
  • HVAC: Zoned ductless mini-split geothermal heat pump; COP 3.7; Balanced mechanical ventilation with HEPA filter
  • Ducts: None
  • Water Heating: Desuperheater and geothermal heat pump 
  • Lighting: 20% ENERGY STAR fixtures; 80% CFLs
  • Appliances: ENERGY STAR refrigerator, clothes washer, and dishwasher
  • Innovative Features: 3.0 kW photovoltaic system; Passive solar design with thermal mass storage; Programmable thermostats; PEX plumbing pipe; zoned HVAC system
  • Duct Leakage Test: N/A
  • Blower Door Test: 3.26 ACH50
  • HERS Index: 32 including PV system

Pick Me!

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Category: Production
Climate: Moderate
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Square Footage: 2,350 s.f.
Construction cost: $152 per s.f.
Energy Features:
  • Foundation: Frost-protected shallow foundation
  • Wall Construction: 2x6 @ 16" o.c.
  • Wall Insulation: R-22 cellulose insulation
  • Rim Joist Insulation: R-19 spray foam
  • Roof Construction: Raised-heel trusses; Vegetated roof
  • Ceiling Insulation: R-50 spray foam and cellulose + roof vegetation 
  • Windows: Low-e, gass-filled aluminum clad wood windows; U-0.34; SHGC 0.40
  • HVAC: Two HVAC systems to avoid problematic duct system; 14-SEER, 7.9 HSPF heat pump; ERV offered as upgrade
  • Ducts: 95% in conditioned space; Sealed with mastic and tape; Run through open-webbed floor trusses
  • Water Heating: 0.65 EF 50-gallon gas tank-type water heater
  • Lighting: 11% ENERGY STAR fixtures
  • Appliances: ENERGY STAR refrigerator and dishwasher
  • Innovative Features: 3-stud corners; Programmable thermostats; Vegetated roof; Dual-flush toilets
  • Duct Leakage Test: 55 cfm to exterior/645 cfm total @25 Pa
  • Blower Door Test: 2.9 ACH50
  • HERS Index: 68

Pick Me!

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Category: Affordable
Climate: Moderate
Location: Chino Valley, Arizona
Square Footage: 1,600 s.f.
Construction cost: $62 per s.f
Energy Features:
  • Foundation: Slab-on-grade with R-10 slab edge insulation
  • Wall Construction: 2x6 @ 24" o.c.
  • Wall Insulation: R-19 spray cellulose + R-5 XPS rigid foam
  • Rim Joist Insulation: N/A
  • Roof Construction: Trusses @ 24" o.c.
  • Ceiling Insulation: R-27 spray foam unvented attic
  • Windows: Low-e vinyl; Orientation specific SHGC
  • HVAC: 19 SEER, 8.3 HPSF heat pump; Balanced whole-house heat recovery ventilation system; ENERGY STAR spot ventilation fans
  • Ducts: 100% in conditioned space; Mastic sealed
  • Water Heating: Solar with 80-gallon storage tank
  • Lighting: 100% CFLs
  • Appliances: ENERGY STAR dishwasher
  • Innovative Features: Pre-wired for future photovoltaic system; Tubular skylight; Advanced framing techniques including 24" o.c. framing, 2-stud corners, single kind stud window framing, right-sized headers 
  • Duct Leakage Test: 0 cfm to exterior/32 cfm total @ 25 Pa
  • Blower Door Test: 0.4 ACH50
  • HERS Index: 54

Pick Me!

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Category: Custom
Climate: Hot
Location: Grapevine, Texas
Square Footage: 3,212 s.f.
Construction Cost: $120 per s.f.
Energy Features:
  • Foundation: Slab-on-grade
  • Wall Construction: Structural Insulated Panels and 2x4 wood-frame 
  • Wall Insulation: R-17 SIPs and R-15 spray foam insulation
  • Rim Joist Insulation: SIPs
  • Roof Construction: SIPs
  • Ceiling Insulation: R-35 unvented attic
  • Windows: Low-e, gas filled vinyl; U-0.31,  SHGC 0.27
  • HVAC: 20 SEER, 8.6 HSPF air source heat pump; Energy recovery ventilator; Zoned system
  • Ducts: 100% in conditioned space; mastic-sealed
  • Water Heating: 0.83 EF gas tankless water heater
  • Lighting: 15% ENERGY STAR fixtures; 64% CFLs
  • Appliances: ENERGY STAR dishwasher
  • Innovative Features: Radiant barrier; PEX plumbing; Programmable thermostats; Lighting controls; Advanced-framed interior walls; Passive solar design
  • Duct Leakage Test: 22.3 cfm to exterior/35 cfm total @ 25 Pa
  • Blower Door Test: 3.0 ACH50
  • HERS Index: 53

Pick Me!

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Category: Production
Climate: Hot
Location: Hilton Head, South Carolina
Square Footage: 1,355 s.f.
Construction Cost: $140 per s.f.
Energy Features:
  • Foundation: Uninsulated slab-on-grade 
  • Wall Construction: 2x6
  • Wall Insulation: R-26 spray foam + R-1 XPS exterior foam
  • Rim Joist Insulation: R-26 spray foam + R-1 XPS exterior foam
  • Roof Construction: 2x10 rafters @ 24" o.c.
  • Ceiling Insulation: R-42 spray foam unvented attic
  • Windows: Low-e gas-filled vinyl; U-0.32; SHGC 0.33
  • HVAC: Whole-house dehumidifier; Air handler integrated supply ventilation; 16 SEER, 8.5 HSPF heat pump
  • Ducts: Minimized duct design with supply registers at interior walls, central returns with jump ducts across bedroom doors, mastic sealed joints, boots caulked to drywall
  • Water Heating: 32 s.f. solar water heating panel with 0.82 EF propane tankless auxiliary heater
  • Lighting: 50% ENERGY STAR light fixtures; 50% CFLs
  • Appliances: ENERGY STAR refrigerator, clothes washer, and dishwasher
  • Innovative Features: Programmable thermostats; Advanced framing techniques including ladder blocking , insulated headers, open corners
  • Duct Leakage Test: 0 cfm to exterior/78 cfm total @ 25 Pa
  • Blower Door Test: 4.0 ACH50
  • HERS Index: 64

Pick Me!

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Category: Custom
Climate: Cold
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Square Footage: 2,315 s.f.
Construction Cost: $75 per s.f.
Energy Features:
  • Foundation: R-24 foam-insulated precast concrete foundation with R-6 under slab insulation
  • Wall Construction: 2x4 @ 16" o.c.
  • Wall Insulation: R-19 soy-based spray foam insulation + R-5 rigid foam exterior sheathing
  • Rim Joist Insulation: R-30 soy-based spray foam
  • Roof Construction: Raised-heel trusses @ 24" o.c. 
  • Ceiling Insulation: R-50 blown cellulose
  • Windows: Low-e, gas-filled vinyl; Orientation-specific SHGC
  • HVAC: 93 AFUE furnace, 13 SEER air conditioner; Energy recovery ventilation
  • Ducts: 100% in conditioned space; Manual D design
  • Water Heating: 0.8 EF gas tankless water heater
  • Lighting: 10% ENERGY STAR fixtures, 90% CFLs
  • Appliances: ENERGY STAR refrigerator, clothes washer, and dishwasher
  • Innovative Features: Programmable thermostats; Advanced framing including open corners, ladder blocking, raised-heeled trusses
  • Duct Leakage Test: 5 cfm to exterior/0 cfm total @ 25 Pa 
  • Blower Door Test: 1.3 ACH50
  • HERS Index: 49

Pick Me!

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Category: Custom
Climate: Cold
Location: Olympia, Washington
Square Footage: 1,930 s.f.
Construction Cost: Not reported
Energy Features:
  • Foundation: Frost-protected shallow foundation
  • Wall Construction: Structural Insulated Panels
  • Wall Insulation: R-23
  • Rim Joist Insulation: Spray foam
  • Roof Construction: Trusses
  • Ceiling Insulation: R-22 spray foam +R-19 fiberglass batts
  • Windows: Low-e, gas-filled vinyl; U-0.32, SHGC 0.5
  • HVAC: Hydronic radiant floor heating served by 0.87 EF tankless gas water heater; No cooling; 76% efficient heat recovery ventilation
  • Ducts: None
  • Water Heating: 0.87 EF gas tankless water heater
  • Lighting: 60% CFLs
  • Appliances: ENERGY STAR refrigerator and dishwasher
  • Innovative Features: Programmable thermostats; Zoned HVAC; PEX plumbing pipe; Thermal mass tempering 
  • Duct Leakage Test: N/A
  • Blower Door Test: 2.3 ACH50
  • HERS Index: 58

Pick Me!

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Category: Production
Climate: Cold
Location: Windsor, Colorado
Square Footage: 2,896 s.f.
Construction Cost: $110 per s.f.
Energy Features:
  • Foundation: Poured on site w/ R10 exterior and under slab
  • Wall Construction: 2x6 @ 16" o.c. finger-jointed studs
  • Wall Insulation: R28 total (R-23 dry-blown fiberglass + R-5 rigid foam sheathing)
  • Rim Joist Insulation: R20 (R-15 blown fiberglass + R-5 foam sheathing)
  • Roof Construction: Trusses
  • Ceiling Insulation: R-50 Blown cellulose
  • Windows: Low-e, gas-filled vinyl; U-0.34, SHGC 0.32
  • HVAC: 14 SEER/HSPF 9.6 Air source HP with HRV rated at 72%
  • Ducts: 100% in conditioned space
  • Water Heating: Solar with 119 gal. tank & tankless backup
  • Lighting: 100% ENERGY STAR fixtures with 100%CFL's
  • Appliances: ENERGY STAR dishwasher
  • Innovative features: Passive solar design, 4.0kw PV array, grid tied net meter, solar hot water, programmable thermostats, PEX plumbing, advanced framing, lighting controls
  • Duct Leakage Test: 0 cfm to exterior/76 cfm total at 25 Pa
  • Blower Door Test: 1.42 ACH50
  • HERS Index: 39 (with photovoltaic)

Pick Me!

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Category: Custom
Climate: Moderate
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Square Footage: 7,127 s.f.
Construction Cost: $120 per s.f.
Energy Features:
  • Foundation: Precast concrete basement and crawlspace with R-12.5 wall and slab edge insulation 
  • Wall Construction: 2x6 @ 24" o.c.
  • Wall Insulation: R-20 spray foam insulation + ½" rigid foam exterior sheathing
  • Rim Joist Insulation: R-20 spray foam
  • Roof Construction: Rafters
  • Ceiling Insulation: R-24 unvented atttic
  • Windows: Low-e, gas-filled wood; U-0.30, SHGC 0.27
  • HVAC: 92 AFUE gas furnace; 14 SEER air conditioner; Multi-zone system; Timers on spot ventilation fans
  • Ducts: 100% in conditioned space
  • Water Heating: 0.87 EF gas tankless water heater
  • Lighting: 40% ENERGY STAR fixtures; 55% CFLs; LED undercabinet lights
  • Appliances: ENERGY STAR refrigerator, clothes washer, and dishwasher
  • Innovative Features: Tubular skylight; Advanced framing techniques including 24" o.c. framing, right-sized headers, open corners, ladder blocking; Programmable thermostat; PEX plumbing; Lighting controls; On-demand hot water recirculation; Energy meter for homeowner feedback
  • Duct Leakage Test: 2 cfm to exteror/158 cfm total @ 25 Pa
  • Blower Door Test: 1.9 ACH50
  • HERS Index: 48

Pick Me!

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Category: Production
Climate: Moderate
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Square Footage: 2,184 s.f.
Construction Cost: $36 per s.f.
Energy Features:
  • Foundation: Frost-protected shallow foundation + R-10 under-slab insulation 
  • Wall Construction: 2x6 @ 24" o.c.
  • Wall Insulation: R-21 blown cellulose + R-5 XPS foam sheathing
  • Rim Joist Insulation: R-13 fiberglass batt + R-5 XPS foam sheathing 
  • Roof Construction: Trusses @ 24" o.c.
  • Ceiling Insulation: R-50 blown cellulose
  • Windows: Low-e, gas-filled vinyl; U-0.30, SHGC 0.29
  • HVAC: 13 SEER, 8.4 HSPF heat pump 
  • Ducts: 100% in conditioned space
  • Water Heating: 40 gallon electric tank-type water heater
  • Lighting: 29% ENERGY STAR fixtures
  • Appliances: ENERGY STAR dishwasher
  • Innovative Features: Open-webbed floor trusses; Programmable thermostats  
  • Duct Leakage Test: 30 cfm to exterior/30 cfm total @ 25 Pa
  • Blower Door Test: 3.6 ACH50
  • HERS Index: 59

Pick Me!

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Category: Custom
Climate: Hot
Location: Grapevine, Texas
Square Footage: 2,384 s.f.
Construction Cost: $165 per s.f.
Energy Features:
  • Foundation: Slab-on-grade
  • Wall Construction: 2x6 @ 24" o.c.
  • Wall Insulation: R-19 spray foam insulation + R-4 XPS foam sheathing
  • Rim Joist Insulation: R-19 spray foam insulation + R-4 XPS foam sheathing
  • Roof Construction: 2x6 rafters
  • Ceiling Insulation: R-22 unvented attic
  • Windows: Low-e, gas-filled aluminum-clad wood; U-0.34; SHGC 0.29
  • HVAC: 16 SEER, 9.5 HPSF heat pump
  • Ducts: 100% in conditioned space; Sealed with mastic and foil tape
  • Water Heating: 0.85 EF gas tankless
  • Lighting: 8% ENERGY STAR fixtures; 73% CFLs
  • Appliances: ENERGY STAR refrigerator, clothes washer, and dishwasher
  • Innovative Features: Radiant barrier, programmable thermostat, advanced framing, passive solar design, rainwater collection system
  • Duct Leakage Test: 16 cfm to exterior/25 cfm total @ 25 Pa
  • Blower Door Test: 0.16 ACH50 (including volume of conditioned attic)
  • HERS Index: 54

Pick Me!

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Category: Affordable
Climate: Hot
Location: Rainbox, Texas
Square Footage: 1,783 s.f.
Construction Cost: $83 per s.f.
Energy Features:
  • Foundation: Slab-on-grade
  • Wall Construction: 2x6 @ 16" o.c.
  • Wall Insulation: R-19 blown fiberglass
  • Rim Joist Insulation: N/A
  • Roof Construction: Rafters @ 24" o.c.
  • Ceiling Insulation: R-30 spray foam unvented attic
  • Windows: Low-e, gas-filled vinyl; U-0.32, SHGC 0.32
  • HVAC: 14 SEER, 9.0 HSPF heat pump
  • Ducts: 100% in conditioned space; Minimized duct design with supplies at interior walls; Central returns with jump ducts across bedrooms; Sealed with foil tape
  • Water Heating: Solar with 55 gallon electric tank storage and auxiliary 
  • Lighting: 60% ENERGY STAR fixtures; 40% CFLs
  • Appliances: ENERGY STAR refrigerator, clothes washer, and dishwasher
  • Innovative Features: Advanced framing including open corners and ladder blocking; PEX plumbing; Programmable thermostats
  • Duct Leakage Test: 0 cfm to exterior/0 cfm total @ 25 Pa
  • Blower Door Test: 2.5 ACH50
  • HERS Index: 62

Pick Me!

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