2002 APEX WINNER!!

Mills' Bay front living for $317 average total monthly power bill!

The Mills' built this absolutely gorgeous home on a point (more like a small peninsula) with a stunning view of the Bay in South Walton County. There is 6300 square feet under roof with 4500 square feet being heated and cooled with 10' ceilings throughout the home. The living room has 18'+ foot ceilings. There are basically two homes under roof with the main living area and a mother-in-law quarters that includes a full kitchen, two car garage, bedroom, dining room, living room, and bathroom.

The home's exterior walls were constructed with Arxx, an insulated concrete forming systems, with an equivalent R-50 value, in comparison to a normal R-11 to R-19 value. Earlier award winning homes featured on this site have many pictures of Arxx walling if you wish to refer back to see what's involved.  The attic was blown with wet cellulose (which carries no health hazard warnings) to an R-48 value.

Two WaterFurnace geothermal heating/cooling systems were installed with hot water recovery. The primary system has a two speed compressor that will run as a 4 ton or a 2.5 ton along with a 12-speed DC motor for highest comfort and efficiency with lowest possible humidity. A smaller two ton WaterFurnace was installed in the mother-in-law quarters. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, geothermal systems can save 30-60% off monthly heating and cooling costs. Hot water recovery provides free domestic hot water for the entire home.

Other efforts to make this the most efficient possible home include, radiant barrier under the metal Giard roof, high performance Anderson double pane tinted windows, windows double caulked MP1 urethane, and every opening was sealed with expanding foam when the home was complete. Also, 3 layers of real stucco to make the tightest possible air barrier and a cosmetically pleasing exterior.

This complete home comfort package is estimated at 4.0 air changes a day instead of the typical eight air changes. The average power bill is $277 even with two full kitchens, pool pump, pool heater, sprinkler pump, boat dock, night lighting system, and averaging 10 house guests a month.