The Clearsphere House built in 2004 by John Godden marks a radical new departure in family home construction. We used cutting-edge building technologies and techniques to create a 2,500 sq. ft., two-storey dwelling designed to minimize its environmental footprint and maximize its indoor air quality. With its all-steel frame construction and thermal-mass concrete subflooring, Clearsphere House is an exceptionally solid, well-built home. The structure is integrated with site conditions to enhance natural lighting, solar heat gains and surrounding views. Views include a unique naturally irrigated garden planted with native species selected for beauty and low-pollen emission.
| Health Features
A) Avoiding Air Borne Contaminants
- Inert and odourless polyicynene insulation used
- Chemical free-inert wall studs and joists that do not support insects and mold growth
- Maximizing hard flooring with ceramic tile (90%) and pre-finished hardwood floors throughout
- Special low odour paints free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Low toxicity sealers and floor adhesives
- Detached garage to prevent car exhaust fumes from entering the house
- Low odour caulking
- Formaldehyde free bath vanities and kitchen cabinets
- Low pollen garden plants
B) Cleaning the Air
- HEPA air filtration, 99.97% effective
- Primary Heat Recovery Ventilator for the kitchen, baths, bedrooms and main living rooms
- Second ventilator for storage rooms and closets
- Self cleaning and degreasing kitchen exhaust hood
- High efficient central vacuum exhausted to the exterior
C) Water Cleaning
- Reverse osmosis drinking water filtration
- Point of entry high efficient water conditioner
D) Inhibiting Mould and Fungi (moisture control)
- Insulation around the window jambs with flashing, reduces condensation
- R7.5 below slab insulation with radiant heating
- Exterior basement water proofing
- Continuous interior moisture barrier
- HRV to regulate indoor humidity
E) Controlling Electric Magnetic Fields (EMF)
- Shielding wiring eliminates the presence of EMF
- Indoor grounding prevents migration of EMF from water piping sources
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Environmental Features
1) Maximizing Energy Efficiency
- Condensing, direct vent, on-demand hot water boiler
- Seal and insulate high velocity cooling system
- High efficient HRV system
- In-floor hydronic radiant heat flooring
- Air tight polyicynene insulation
- Isoclad expanded polystyrene with bonded tyvek membrane
- Tyvek window wrap
- High performance low-E2 fibreglass windows
- Window placement and size designed for passive solar gain and natural lighting
- 4′-0″ roof overhang to for reduction in summer heat gain
- 2″ thick thermal mass concrete and tile floor for optimal temperature control
- ENERGY STAR appliances
2) Reducing Green House Gases
- Highly passive solar
- Solar thermal water panels
- A/C with seasonal energy efficiency rating of 14SEER with no ozone depleting refrigerants
- EPA rated wood burning fireplace
3) Reducing Waste
- Recycled cellulose insulation ised in the attic and the garage
- Recycled fibre material for the garage construction
- Long life low maintenance metal roofing
- Pre-cut and pre-engineered steel stud to reduce construction waste
- 90% recycled content in the reusable metal studs
4) Water Conservation
- Extended gutters for landscape irrigation
- Porous driveway and walking paths for natural rain water drainage
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