green building technologies at Tilden:

Roof
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Standing seam metal roofing
Reflective, absorbs less heat into the house
Recycled / recyclable galvanized metal
Super long life

Floor
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Concrete: less material = less waste
Insulated below slab for added efficiency and economy
Efficient radiant heat on all floors

Walls
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Thicker [2x6] allow for more insulation
White stucco = high albedo, reduce cooling needs
Insulation between interior walls and between floors helps thermal stability

Building layout
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Thermal chimney up stairwell through operable attic skylights.
With windows on all sides of the house, every room has windows on at least two sides for natural daylighting and ventilation, decreasing the need for artificial light or air conditioning.

Windows
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Low-E
Dual glazed, argon-filled
Aluminum is recycled/ recyclable
North-facing skylights

Heating and Cooling
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No traditional HVAC system: radiant floor heat is the only heat.
No ductwork or ventilation for a/c, though the house is prewired and plumbed for an ultra-efficient "mini-split ductless" a/c system with a separate unit on each floor.

Electrical
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Lutron dimmers at all light switches
Lights are all pendant or surface mounted [no inefficient "can" lights that trap the heat inside the building]
Exterior lights on timed motion detectors
Energy Star bathroom fan

Plumbing, Fixtures, and Appliances
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Energy Star efficiency rating or better on all appliances
Refrigerator likely the most efficient on the market
Miele front-loading laundry machine uses less water, spins faster so clothes spend less time in the dryer
Super efficient Takagi tankless hot water heater for both domestic hot water and radiant heat
Dual-flush toilets

Site
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Low-water landscape
Gravel
Native plants
Small lawn in usable areas only
Edible landscape [fruit trees, vegetables].
On-site compost

Location
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Near shops, mall, movies, restaurants, grocery stores and schools.
Close to transportation.
Site density [2 on a lot] = lower carbon footprint

Long life
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By designing a top-quality product that is built to last, it is less likely to be remodeled or find its way to the landfill anytime soon

tilden photos

project list