The Elm Ave. house, led by Associate Ron Flax, LEED AP, may be one of the greenest remodels in America. Starting at HERS 190 and finally weighing in at mere HERS 5 (a 97.4% reduction in energy use), this Near-Net Zero Martin Acres remodel/addition features Boulder’s first micro-inverter solar PV panels, and was our testing ground for eight different kinds of insulation. Built by Skycastle Homes, this living research project has informed all of the homes we are currently building, and helped us to shape our unique “pre-designed” deep green upgrade program for post-WWII homes. But what truly sets this home apart is how Ron balanced the cutting edge of energy-efficiency with a very tight budget. Elm Ave. will be a featured home on the CRC’s Green Home tour, Oct. 2nd [Tickets are just $7].