SALT LAKE CITY – January 19, 2017 — Utah will set a new benchmark in energy efficiency when Living Zenith, the Governor’s Office of Energy Development, and other key stakeholders cut the ribbon on the state’s first net zero community on Jan. 24, 2017. The event will take place at the Living Zenith community, located near Liberty Park in Salt Lake City (1172 South 400 East), from 12:15 – 12:45 p.m. It is open to the public. Private tours may be arranged following the ribbon cutting.
Constructed by Redfish Builders, each unit is made with high thermal barriers, efficient appliances, triple-paned windows, and LED lighting. The homes are powered by a Wheeler Machinery Company solar photovoltaic system, which is designed with capacity to export surplus electricity to an onsite storage grid and to the local power grid, allowing homes to draw upon the resource during solar intermittency.
“Wheeler Power Systems is thrilled to be a part of this innovative, cutting edge project,” said Jonathan Campbell, Vice President of Sales and Rentals at Wheeler. “This development is a shining example of what can be achieved when economic development is balanced with environmental stewardship. We look forward to future projects that, like this one, exceed the expectations of our customers while contributing to the sustainability of our beautiful state.”
In addition, Redfish Builders seeks to proliferate these integrated and passive-house designs across the state by addressing affordability, replicability, and scalability across Utah.
“The homes are gaining traction for their cost savings, as well as the improvements they make to our air quality,” said Tiffany Ivins, founder of Living Zenith. Her husband and business partner, Mitchell Spence, added: “We realized that innovation for Utah housing must include a comprehensive strategy to address not only energy efficiency, but improved quality of life for all Utahns.”
Currently, buildings account for 39 percent of air pollution in the Salt Lake Valley. To reduce this impact and manage projected population growth, Utah leaders are developing and deploying innovative building solutions. These solutions are being disseminated by Living Zenith through educational tours and realtor trainings that will follow the ribbon cutting.
“The Living Zenith project is a further demonstration of Utah’s leadership on energy innovation, delivering solutions to advance energy efficiency, address air quality, and meet the demands of our growing population,” said Dr. Laura Nelson, the Governor’s energy advisor and executive director of the Governor’s Office of Energy Development. “We’re proud to promote Governor Gary R. Herbert’s collaborative spirit across industry to continue to elevate Utah’s high quality of life.”
This project is a culmination of Living Zenith’s collaboration with the Governor’s Office of Energy Development, Salt Lake City’s Sustainability Department, WheelerCat, Portland Energy Conservation, Inc., Utah Clean Energy, the University of Utah, and other innovators seeking solutions.
For more information, visit: www.livingzenith.com
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About Living Zenith
Web: www.livingzenith.com
Living Zenith is a zero net energy movement with a 5-star approach to homebuilding: 1. ENERGY (clean & efficient); 2. AIR (fresh & filtered); 3. DESIGN (integrated & modern); 4. INTELLIGENCE (automated & personalized); 5. LIFESTYLE (vibrant & walkable). Living Zenith is co-founded by Mitchell Spence and Tiffany Ivins of Redfish Builders, a boutique home builder designing and building personalized spaces since 1995. Living Zenith began in 2016 with Utah’s first net zero community at Liberty Park.
About Governor’s Office of Energy Development (OED)
Web: energy.utah.gov
Governor Gary R. Herbert recognizes energy as one of four cornerstones of Utah’s strength, along with education, job creation, and self-determination. In recognition of this priority, the Governor’s Office of Energy Development (OED) was created in 2011 to advance Utah’s diverse energy sector through planning, policy and direct engagement with the private sector; and thereby to foster economic growth through energy development, conservation activities and provision of affordable, reliable energy.
Media Contacts:
Tiffany Ivins
Living Zenith
(801) 824-0153
[email protected]
Meghan Stettler
OED Communications Director
(801) 499-0781
[email protected]