The superior intelligence of the Smart House is not readily apparent and that's the way designer Don Richmond and builder Hank Lewandowski wanted it.

The energy efficiency demonstration home at 120 S. Sherwood nestles nicely among its kin in the neighborhood of stately Victorians near the historic core of Fort Collins.

Its classic design comes as a shock to many who have come to equate energy efficiency with space-age design more akin to the animated architecture of the Jetsons.

But that's the real beauty behind the Smart House: It combines good looks with good design to accomplish the most exceptional energy efficiency ever achieved in the city.

"Energy efficiency will fit into any package," insists Richmond. "It doesn't cause any hardship on any kind of architectural design."

By incoporating technologies both simple and sophisticated, the Smart House has earned a rating of 93 out of 100 possible points on the Energy Socre - a fair and comprehensive analysis of home energy performance developed by City of Fort Collins Light and Power, co-sponsor of the demonstration home.

"I think it's going to dispel the notion that energy efficient homes look weird," says Doug Swartz, energy services engineer for the utility. That rating surpasses the previous record by six points - a dramatic decrease that Swartz terms "pretty impressive." The G-93 rating means estimated natural gas bills for space and water heating will total only $255 a year for this 3,400-square foot home.

Much of that economy comes from the Smart House communication and energy management system that gives the demonstration home its intelligence.

Simply stated, the Smart House system gives owners complete control over their home's security, confort, convenience, and energy consumption.

The "brain" is a control panel that sends commands through an internal wiring network serving as the "centeral nervous system."

The real secret to achieving such an exceptional energy rating, however, comes from paying attention to the small stuff.

In fact, Richmond insists there actually is no secret. Energy saving techinques, he says, can be incorporated into any construction. And most require only more planning rather than more cost.

"It really is in the details," says Richmond. "Just common-sense design is the best approach to energy efficient housing."

That common-sense approach is what Richmond hopes to showcase through the Smart House he and Lynda Williams will occupy at the conclusion of the demonstration period.

Energy efficiency is built in literally from the ground-up as the following examination of the home's components should demonstrate:

Solar Orientation is the first consideration before even breaking ground. The home is situated on the site to maximize opportunities for south-facing windows to provide most of the home's heating requirements.

Air Exhange Tubes beneath the basement's concrete slab allow for the introduction of fresh air so essential in such an airtight, well-insulated structure. The subterranean tubes store the outside air at the constant ground temperature until it is needed - pre-heating it in the winter and pre-cooling it in the summer.

Foundation Walls are composed of pressure-treated lumber rather than concrete to provide an economical and easily insulated wall.

Basement Windows remain exposed through terracing rather than enclosed by conventional window wells. This allows them to collect passive solar heat, which is stored in the concrete floor slab.

Space and Water Heating, the biggest single source of energy cost and consumption, is minimized with a new, 90 percent efficient, furnace and water heater wedded together as a single unit. A controlled ventilation system also recovers heat from exhausted interior air while introducing fresh outside air.

Advanced Framing techniques are employed instead of the conventional 2-by-4 approach. In addition to greater strength, the stouter 2-by-6 studs allowed for the use of significantly less lumber with a corresponding cost savings of 10-15 percent. The larger lumber also results in deeper wall cavities to contain insulation.

Insulation is the key to achieving maximum energy efficiency. Walls are filled with densely packed cellulose and enclosed with top-quality foam sheathing.

Airtight Construction methods are used to all-but eliminate air infiltration. Following comprehensive sealing, blower door tests are used to located and eliminate remaining leaks. A central vacuum system reduces indoor pollution by removing dirt through tubes contained in the walls and transporting it to an outside collection receptacle in the basement.

Windows are extraordinarily efficient and architecturally compatible in a casement style. They are filled with argon gas to reduce heat loss and improve comfort.

Siding is composed of an unconventional cement-based product offering exceptional insulation and durability.

Landscaping also conserves on the use of natural resources with its emphasis on a Xeriscaping approach that minimizes maintenance and water use.

Carpeting is made out of recycled pop bottles and is low toxic.

Fort Collins Smart House