- Passive solar design--true north-south orientation
- Solar pre-heated water--four 30 gallon tanks
- Radiant heat under Saltillo tile floors
- Radiant heat on second level in gypcrete
- Double pane windows
- Double hung windows
- South side glazing
- Outside doors for cross ventilation and cooling
- Energy saving fluorescent light fixtures
- Pumice-crete adobe style walls
- Addition built with Rastra brand recycled Styrofoam
- Skylights for natural lighting
- Daylighting over kitchen bar area
- North side hallways for cold buffer
- West side portales sized for summer shade/winter sun
- Courtyard garden for cooling and humidity
- Low volume toilets (1.6 gpf)
- Faucet aerators (2 gpm)
- Hot water circulation for instant hot water and thus water conservation
- Instant high temperature water in kitchen
- Low voltage outside lights on sensors and automatic timers
- Outside xeriscaping with drip irrigation
- Straw bale dog house
Alma del Monte was designed and built to prove that it is possible for a quality home to be both Luxurious and Green.
Listed on the left hand column some of the design elements that make Alma a fine example of energy efficiency.
In addition to features mentioned on left, additional measures include:
-Composting
-Recycling
-Energy efficient laundry: horizontal axis washers with water extractors
-Amenities purchased in bulk bottles
-Green products used for cleaning
-Rainwater harvesting
