What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
The residence at 13635 E. Spring Buck Ct., Sonoita was meticulously designed with three primary objectives driving virtually every design choice: energy efficiency, functionality, and optimization of the spectacular surrounding viewscape.
The residence is an extremely energy efficient all-electric home. Tucson Electric Power has adjusted the budget billing amount downward five times since the owners opted for budget billing in January of 2013. The current monthly bill is $30, of which $10 is administrative cost. This means that the house consumes, on average, only 2.4 megawatts of electricity more than it generates over the course of a year.
The home achieves energy efficiency through both passive and active solar technologies. Structural orientation, size, placement, and type of window glazing, as well as extent of roof overhangs, were all carefully calculated to maximize solar gain during the winter months and eliminate it during the summer months.
The residence features a 4-inch concrete slab-on-grade floor and 8-foot Integra block walls around the entire perimeter of both the main and guest houses. In addition, there is a 6-ft. long, 4-ft. high concrete block pony wall and 16-inch high solid masonry hearth in the living room, and 12-foot high concrete block walls flanking both sides of the central gallery/clerestory in the main house.
The entire building envelope of the main house (concrete floor slab, perimeter walls, and roof) is outsulated.
Most of the electricity consumed by its current owners is produced by an onsite, grid-tied PV system. A 20-panel, 5.5 kW solar photovoltaic array was flush-mounted to the south shed of the garage roof when the residence was first constructed. A 12-panel, 3.3 kW array was installed on the south shed of the guest house roof in December 2012.
Demand for hot water is met by a hybrid solar/conventional system.
All appliances in the home are Energy-Star rated.
Rainwater harvesting is integral to the design of all three structures on the property. Three 3,000 gallon ABS water tanks collect incident rainwater via a system of gutters and wet downspouts.
PLEASE READ THE 5 PAGE NARRATIVE EXPLAINING THE PLANNING, BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE OF THIS TRULY UNIQUE HOME.Property Description
Majestic ceilings, clerestory windows, great floorplan. The extremely energy efficient all-electric residence's orientation was carefully calculated to maximize solar gain during the winter months and eliminate it during the summer months. Rainwater harvesting, passive and active solar technologies, 32-panel, 8.8kW solar photovoltaic system plus appliances that are Energy-Star rated. This exclusive home's elements are detailed in the accompanying narrative and additional features.Neighborhood Description
The residence is in the exclusive gated community of Hidden Hills and each parcel is 36 acres. Your neighbors are the wildlife that abounds in the area. There are vistas of 9 mountain ranges. The closest neighbor is roughly ¼ mile to the west and cannot be seen from the main or guest houses. This is horse property adjacent to the Coronado National Forest. The home has a gate to the forest so one could ride for days in the forest and not see another soul.Market Area
Sonoita is located at the crossroads of US Highways 82 and 83. It is surrounded by rolling, grass-covered hills and enjoys wonderful blue skies and wide-open spaces. It is located 30 miles from downtown Tucson, Arizona.School District
Residents have a choice of school districts from Vail, Elgin or Patagonia.Community
Sonoita has some of the best wineries in Arizona. Weather in the Sonoita area is usually dry, sunny and warm. Because the altitude is 4,987 feet above sea level, the summer/fall temperatures average between 80-95 degrees.Location of Home or Land
Rural
Elevation of Home
Mountain
Air Quality
Agriculture in Area | yes |
Industry in Area | no |
Air Pollution in Area | no |
Pesticide Free | yes |
Fragrance Free | yes |
Cleaned with Green Products | yes |
Interior Environment
Heating System | Electric Radiant Forced Air - Heat Pump Hydronic Floor Heat (radiant) Solar - Active Wood Stove |
Cooling System | High Efficiency Heat Pump Passive Cooling |
Ventilation System | Whole House Fan |
Whole House Filtration | None |
Whole House Vacuum | no |
Energy & Water
Energy System | Solar - Photovoltaic |
Water System | Well Rain Water Collection |
Wastewater System | Septic System Other |
Construction Information
Exterior Finish | Masonry |
Interior Finish | Gypsum Board - Sheet Rock Other |
Interior Paint | Other |
Floor Material | Concrete |
Roof Material | Metal |
Window Material | Metal Dual Glazed |
Insulation Material | Fiberglass Urethane Foam |
Garage / Car Port
Garage / Carport | yes |
Garage Type | detached |
Number of Cars | 2 |
Garage Area | 837 sqft |