Energy

The Utah House is about 60% more energy efficient than regular houses its size, earning it the government’s Energy Star rating. Saving energy saves money and reduces the use of nonrenewable, pollution-causing energy sources.

Energy Efficient Features

• South-facing windows maximize heat gain from low-angle winter sun.
• Tile floors create thermal mass to absorb that heat. In the summer, large eaves and a light shelf block high-angle sun from coming into the home.
• Clerestory windows provide natural light. Daylighting rooms throughout the home reduces the need for electrical lights.
• 1Kw thin film photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof generate 20-25% of the house's electricity from sunlight. An inverter, located in the closet, converts electricity from solar panels from DC to AC for use in the house. Any extra energy generated is sold back to the power company.
• Natural light tubes in the bathroom, utility room, and hallway bring daylight into the northwest corner of the house.
• Compact flourescent lighting (CFL) located over work areas can be dimmed for optimal lighting. CFLs us 66% less energy than incandescent bulbs and save up to $30/bulb in lifetime electricity costs.
• Energy Star appliances use less energy and water than other models.

Water

Utah is the second driest state in the nation, but has one of the highest water usage rates. Water conservation measures such as rainwater collection, water-wise landscaping, and water efficient fixtures and appliances help the Utah House use 50-70 % less water than traditional homes and landscapes in Utah.

Water Conservation Design Features

The Utah House has several resources for water conservation. These include:

• Front loading washer and dryer use about 1/3 of the energy and water of top loaders.
• One toilet is flushed with rainwater and snowmelt collected off the roof and stored in a 6,500 gallon cistern buried in the yard.
• Low-flow toilets use only 1.6 gallons/flush, and shower and faucets us only 2.5 gallons/min.

Health

The Environmental Protection Agency lists poor indoor air quality as the fourth largest environmental threat in the U.S. Air pollution is commonly worse indoors (where we spend 90% of our time) than out, leading to respiratory illnesses, allergic irritations, and even cancer. The Utah House uses healthy building materials, interior finishes, and design strategies.

Healthy Home Design Features

The Utah House has several design features that promote a healthy lifestyle. These include:

• Ventilation in the kitchen and bathrooms carries excess moisture out of the home, reducing mold and mildew growth.
• In the kitchen, a downdraft system provides ventilation instead of a traditional range hood.
• Carbon monoxide detector, high efficiency air filter on the forced-air heat system, and a whole-house ventilation system that brings in fresh air help insure healthy indoor air quality. Paint used throughout the house are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), helping reduce the chemicals released in the home.

Accessibility

Universal design assumes that all products, environments, and communications should be designed to consider the needs of the widest array of users, including people of all ages, sizes, and abilities. By making simple, smart design modifications such as like barrier-free entries, wide doorways, and lever handles, Utah House designers were able to create a space where anyone can live or visit throughout all stages of their life.

Universal Design Features

• The living space (kitchen, bathroom, living room, laundry, and bedroom)
  is located on one level.
• There are separate work areas in kitchen, multi-level seating areas and
  knee space under the sink.
• Stove has top-level burners, refrigerator has side-by-side doors,
  microwave is situated below counter for easy access.
• Main bedroom has emergency access to the outside, spacious closets,
  smoke detector/visual strobe (for those with impaired hearing).
• Main entry is covered, without steps, spacious (36" wide), and has lever
  door handles.

Water

The first step to the Utah House water-wise landscape was a plan and design, which considered the site and the landscape’s goals and objectives.

A soil analysis was completed and organic matter was added to enhance drainage and moisture retention.

Well-adapted, healthy plants were selected and grouped into hydrozones. Hydrozoning a landscape involves grouping plants together according to their water requirements.

Practical turf areas of manageable sizes and shapes were created in areas where they provided a functional benefit.  

Trees and shrubs were strategically planted to reduce runoff and minimize erosion.

Mulches were used in shrub and perennial beds. Mulches conserve soil moisture and increase soil nutrients.

Irrigate efficiently – not excessively. The Utah House landscape uses a properly designed system that applies the right amount of water at the right time for each hydrozone. Guidance for proper lawn watering in Utah can be found on the Division of Water Resources website.

Gravel surfaces and concrete pavers were used, which allow storm water to penetrate into the soil.This reduces run-off and erosion and helps filter excessive nutrients. High nutrient loads from home fertilizer use can upset the balance in the storm water-fed ponds.

The roof is used as a water collection agent. Rain water is stored in a rain barrel and used for irrigation purposes.

Health

The Utah House Raised Bed garden demonstrates how home gardeners can grow healthy fresh food that is rich in vitamins and minerals, and harvested at the freshest stage of maturity. The raised beds are also a demonstration of organic gardening. Organic gardening means we do not use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides on the plants. Organic gardening begins with healthy soil and at the Utah House we add compost and natural fertilizers to provide our plants with the necessary nutrition.

Organic pest control involves many of the following:

• Allowing for an acceptable level of pest damage

• Encouraging predatory or beneficial insects

• Careful plant selection, choosing well adapted disease-resistant varieties

• Planting companion plants that discourage insects

• Rotating crops from year to year to interrupt pest reproduction cycles

Accessibility

All first level entrances are level, smooth, and stable, which helps make the landscape's textured surfaces on driveways and walkways prevent slips.

Main entry is covered, without steps or any type of impediment, spacious (36" wide), and has a lever for the door handle.

A raised garden bed offers comfortable access to gardening for people with physical challenges.

The raised beds are designed with the use of Gravel Pave, a porusring-and-grid structure that provides a low maintenance, reliable surface with excellent drainage, and accessibility for wheelchairs.