Green Mechanical Contractor

2009
GREEN MECHANICAL
AWARDS

★ ACME ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. ★

FULLY LOADED LEED PLATINUM HOUSE

This two-story, newly constructed home in a high-den-sity neighborhood of La Jolla, Calif., represents all the best that residential green mechanical contracting has to o;er. ;e project was 100% designed, speci;ed, and installed by ACME Environmental, Inc., Santa Monica, Calif., and will be the ;rst to achieve a LEED for Homes Platinum rating in the Greater San Diego area.

Design features include:

★ Schuco solar thermal panels to provide for domestic hot water (DHW) production and spa heating.

★ A 95%+ AFUE Viessmann Vitodens 200 condensing boiler to provide radiant ;oor heating and DHW via a Heat Transfer Products indirect water heater tank; the boiler also provides supplemental heat for the spa.

★ Primary cooling is provided via passive design along with a radiant cooling system installed in tile ;ooring; a Ruud 16 SEER, two-stage condensing unit with a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger provides chilled water for the ;oor as well as an Energy Saving Products Ltd. chilled water, high-velocity fan coil system for auxiliary cooling and dehumidi;cation.

★ A 7. 4 k W grid-tie photovoltaic array handles the majority of electrical loads.

★ A greywater and rainwater catchment system is in place to provide for on-site irrigation needs.

Pains were even taken to save a tree in the front yard.

“;e project achieved its objectives using well designed mechanical systems delivering very high e;ciency comfort,” says Jacob Gooze, president of ACME Environmental. “In accordance with the homeowner’s desires, the heating and

This house will use 60% to 70% less energy than comparable homes.

cooling systems attained the goal of being virtually ‘invisible’ and ‘silent.’ All components are of the highest quality and should last for many years, further enhancing ‘renewable’ credentials.”

Furthermore, the homeowner received $38,000 in rebates and tax credits. ;e home was designed to yield 60% to 70% in annual energy savings and use 40% less water than comparably sized ( 3,800 sq.;.) homes.

“This project exemplifies the cutting edge of what is possible with expertise and good engineering, using solid technologies that are available now,” Gooze adds. “;e interface between our ;rm, the general contractor, and the owner was very smooth and productive. We are all proud of what we were able to achieve on this project.”