First USA "Active House" Home Serves as National Model For Comfortable and Sustainable Family Living

FORT MILL, S.C., Sept. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Active House USA, a custom sustainable home in the St. Louis suburb of Webster Groves, MO combines leading sustainability and high performance building practices from around the world and is now an active home occupied by David and Thuy Smith and daughter Cameron. This prototype home defines the next generation of sustainable home building in this country, combining expertise from leading sustainable building practices in the United States and from European Active House Alliance practices.

To learn more about Active House USA and the Smith family's journey to sustainable living, see a case study and descriptive brochure at http://tinyurl.com/ouoeu5b.

The Smiths moved into the 2600 square foot home in April 2013. "Out first impression when we moved in," David Smith says, "was the excellent air environment. Another of the nicest aspects of the home is the incredible amount of daylight we get. Rarely do we turn on lights during the day." 

During their first year of residence the Smiths allowed the University of Missouri's Center for Sustainable Energy to monitor energy consumption and indoor air quality as part of their research efforts and to help improve green living standards around the country. The Smiths also provided anecdotal evidence to support these metrics.

Active House USA, built by Hibbs Homes of St. Louis, was designed incorporating Active House Alliance standards utilized in existing Active House Homes built around the world. The home meets, or exceeds, four North American sustainable building certifications: Energy Star, EPA Indoor Air Plus, Building America Builder's Challenge and ANSI ICC-700-the National Green Building Standard.

VELUX Group, the Danish parent company of VELUX America, was involved with the founding of the Active House Alliance in 2010 in Copenhagen Denmark. The Alliance has been involved with the construction of many Active House projects. Active House USA utilizes a combination of VELUX fresh air skylights and VELUX Sun Tunnel™ tubular skylights.             

Stephan Moyon, director of sales for VELUX America, says that the project demonstrates to construction professionals nationwide that quality, energy efficient skylights and windows can work together to result in a highly energy efficient home. "Active House principles illustrate the concept," Moyon says, "of the interaction between homes and their occupants and why it is important for sustainability that all elements of design work together. It's a message that is being conveyed to architects and builders throughout the country."

For more information visit www.activehouse.info, www.velux.com, www.veluxusa.com, www.hibbshomes.com, or www.activehouseusa.com/press-room/.

SOURCE VELUX America