270 Masonic Ln, Weaverville, CA 96093

The house heats and cools itself by its construction and orientation. The radiant floor system consists of three separately controlled zones. More than 1,000 feet of hydronic tubes are networked throughout the floor for heating and cooling. R10 insulation was installed under the slab and all footings. There is a backup electric boiler for heating the floor, which can also be heated with water from the solar-heated hot tub boosted with the heat-exchange process. To wit, the water in the 450-gallon hot tub is heated by active solar panels, then run through a heat exchanger to heat the floor. The floor is concrete with a dark stain that absorbs and gives off heat. It is passively heated by south-facing glass. During the winter, the floor acts like a giant battery (thermal mass) and maintains a constant 70 degrees, for a comfortable environment.