Jane & Dale Fisher

We loved our time in the moderate coastal climate, but our house was a far cry from being efficient. Even though we changed out as much as we could including installing double pane windows, changing out the floor heater to forced air and adding insulation, we continued to be challenged maintaining comfortable temperatures throughout the year. When we researched the options for making our home more energy efficient, we found the cost significantly outweighed the benefits, so we waited for better opportunities.

While we were renting an apartment in Portland and looking for a new home, we began looking for green building and energy efficient houses in the Portland area. During that search, phase II of the Verde Village development in Ashland, Oregon kept coming up. It was described as the first sustainable community of zero-energy ready, certified Earth Advantage Platinum contemporary homes in the state as well as being a NW Energy Star certified development with many energy-efficient features.

We had relatives in Ashland and had been visiting for over 35 years. We knew and loved the town for its focus on the arts and Verde Village offered convenient access to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the vibrant downtown. We decided the next time we were passing through we would check out Verde Village.

We learned that the inspiration for Verde Village began as the vision of the Greg and Valri Williams, whose multi-generational family had owned Ashland Greenhouse since 1906. With the sale of the original land where Ashland Greenhouses had stood since 1906, the Williams wanted to create a sustainable community of zero-energy ready homes in honor of their family and the land. In working with the city of Ashland, and KDA and Suncrest as developers, a community plan emerged. Paths were designed to be meandering, fences around common areas were kept low to encourage a community feel, open space and common areas added to the community aspect of the development.

Houses are oriented and roofs are designed to maximize solar production. No homes or trees shade another home in order to maximize solar efficiency. In addition, all homes utilize 2x6 wall construction, have double pane windows, upgraded insulation and average 2.5 ACH50 blower door scores to achieve the Earth Advantage Platinum standards.

Ashland Creek runs along the development so an agreement was forged with the city to take special care to protect the aquatic and riparian ecology. All street and roof water run-off is directed into a system of bio-swales which drain into a wetland basin before being introduced to the creek, and native and drought resistant plantings are encouraged. A pesticide and herbicide free landscaping company has been contracted with to maintain the common areas and allow for safe pollinator gardens.

Our house was built by KDA Homes. The builders chose low VOC adhesive, caulking and paint, and fresh air, whole house ventilation systems to maintain the quality of indoor air. The exterior of the houses all include fiber cement siding, stucco, small amounts of wood accent on some houses and metal roofs. Besides the use of green and sustainable building materials and energy efficient design, we were also very attracted to the community aspect of the development. Fencing standards were adopted that encouraged interaction, conversation and community. Since we moved in, three properties have been certified as pollinator gardens by Ashland Bee City, USA and more property owners are in the process of being certified. Verde Village HOA has officially adopted the part of the greenway along Ashland Creek that borders the development to care for that part of the riparian corridor.

By moving into this new development which was created with such vision, it was to be expected that other homeowners would share similar values. Friendships formed quickly. Information was shared, volunteer work teams formed when needed and the community we were hoping for emerged.

For us, this kind of a development just makes sense given the care we aim to take for ourselves, for the land, for the community and for the world. It is our small part but it feels significant living in a more sustainable way.

...in Ashland called Verde Village. The developers and designers attempted to create a comprehensive goal that included aesthetic livability involving thoughtful building design, street layout with curving lanes and walkways, true south roof orientation, ample green space, proximity to bike paths and parks, while still conserving land and water.

Each home, including the Fisher Residence, was certified Earth Advantage Platinum, Earth Advantage Zero Net Energy Ready, and Energy Trust of OR New Homes EPS (Energy Performance Score) certified.

This home was modeled with REM-Rate (Residential Energy analysis) programming and achieved an extremely low power usage of only 3 kW/ yr. The homeowners are seeing a zero cost electric utility bill.

The key to this 1701 square foot home’s zero net energy approach was efficient equipment. It includes Daiken mini-split ductless heat pumps (2 outdoor compressors, and 5 indoor heads), a 97% efficient tankless gas water heater, Energy Star appliances, 1 Energy Recovery Ventilator, and Energy Star bath fans.

The building contractor was KDA Homes of Ashland. The envelope incorporates an efficient open floor plan with low U windows and single wall (R-23) 24” on center advanced framing, and air tight building construction. The exterior siding is a combination of HardiePlank cement board and stucco. The roof is a reflective metal.

The solar electric photovoltaic system has 18 panels all facing true south and delivers 6.48 kW of power. It was installed by True South Solar, and each panel has its own micro inverter, which allows independent production at each panel rather than all panels tied together. This can allow one panel to continue to produce power if another panel is shaded by intermittent clouds.

This home will be able to demonstrate clearly that it is Zero Net Energy simply by its utility bills, but because of the use of Natural Gas appliances, there is still a gas bill.

The State of Oregon has adopted a Solar Ready requirement of all new homes permitted after Oct. 1, 2020. This is landmark legislation!