New homes are wood framed, single story. Sunlight provides almost all of the heat and light for the entire house. Some unique features in new homes include:

• passive solar design
• 1,056 ft2
• wood frame, three-bedroom, one-story
• direct gain solar tempering with low-e insulated windows
• 2x6 stud walls
• high density batt insulation Rv=21
• insulated sheathing Rv=5
• raised heel wood trusses with extra insulation Rv=60
• shallow frost-protected foundation
• hydronic fin-tube baseboard radiation supplied by gas-fired
  40 gal. water heater
• air-tight drywall with gasketing and caulking
• heat recovery ventilation system
• energy efficient appliances
• compact fluorescent lights
• low-volume toilets and showerheads
• average winter gas bill ranges from $20-30
• average 43% reduction in energy consumption