Central Utah SIPS Home with Solar Thermal Heating
One couple's dream of creating his own utopia by returning to the small town in which he was raised ... This 3,000-square-foot home in Mayfield, in Utah's Sanpete County, was built in 2000. It features SIPS (structurally insulated panels) construction, and a high-efficiency radiant-floor heating system with Thermomax support.
The home is primarily heated with a radiant-floor heating system. The solar-heated hot water comes courtesy of Thermomax evacuated tubes, an update to the better-known flat panels. One 30-tube panel, shown here facing southward on the Mayfield home, contributes to both the radiant-floor system, as well as the home's potable water. However, one panel is enough to heat the potable water used by an average family. In the future, if this homeowner wishes, he can expand the system by adding more Thermomax panels to supplement the home's heat.
This home is built with SIPS, which stands for structurally insulated panels. The pre-manufactured walls can arrive at your door complete with interior finish -- even this wooden vaulted ceiling. The construction is much tighter and more energy efficient that traditionally built homes. Cost-wise, SIPS is comparable to 2-by-6 construction.
It's easy to see the insulation encased inside the panels. In this Mayfield home, the homeowner ordered 6-inch-thick walls with 12-inch-thick ceilings, which deliver a super-tight construction with higher than standard insulation factors.
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