House Near Cape Charles LEEDS Way in Energy Efficiency
Holly Dale Drive home rests on the footprint of an earlier house, resulting in minimum disruption to landscape.
Special to the
Cape Charles Wave
December 12, 2012
A new home just south of the Town of Cape Charles has been certified as the most energy-efficient dwelling on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
The 3,500-square-foot residence on Holly Dale Drive is on a 15-acre lot on Old Plantation Creek. The house has received a Platinum LEED rating (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) — the highest rating possible.
The most important strategy to lower energy consumption in the residence was to design the house to work with the climate.
Orientation, massing, shading, natural ventilation, insulation and highly efficient windows are all crucial elements to the design. Every effort was made to maximize the efficiency of these factors before using energy to make the house comfortable.
Designer Janet Harrison of Annapolis was also the green consultant for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Merrill Center — also a LEED Platinum recipient.
The contractor was Luke Kellam of Belle Haven. “The location provided an opportunity to design and build a home that enhances the natural surroundings and captures the expansive views,” said Kellam. “We made every effort to preserve the tranquil setting with a minimal footprint on the property.” [Read more…]
