The site was cleared and graded for the slab footprint. Sage and rabbitbrush were transplanted where possible; the distant Bookcliffs orientation was confirmed for the future kitchen window — the long view that runs through the cooktop wall today.
6" of EPS foam was placed beneath the slab — well inside the Passive House envelope spec. Hydronic loops were laid before the pour; the concrete finish would later be ground and polished as the finished floor throughout the main level.
The reference set — every panel photographed in the Phoenix Haus Grand Junction shop before the dense-pack cellulose and exterior membrane went on. Tagged with stud bays, plumbing runs, electrical chases, and the in-panel blocking placed for future fixtures. The full structural shell went up on site in four days.
Result: 0.58 ACH₅₀ — inside Passive House territory. Bill McDonald walked the home with the rater; no significant leaks anywhere on the envelope.
The walkthrough was logged in 47 stops across the two levels and the deck. Every system was demonstrated — ERV balance, mini-split set points, hydronic loop. The kettle was the closing gift.
Your ERV is the lungs of the home — it brings in fresh outside air and exhausts stale air, recovering 84% of the energy in the process. It runs continuously at low speed and is the reason your indoor air stays at ~600 ppm CO₂ even with the home sealed tight.