Modern Solar Home: Lexington, Virginia
Lexington, Virginia
The Modern Solar Home in Lexington, Virginia, was designed around a simple goal: create a comfortable, all-electric home that uses as little energy as possible. This 1,988-square-foot energy-efficient SIP home combines Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) walls with a Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) roof, creating a highly insulated building envelope designed for long-term energy savings.
ACME supplied 10 1/4-inch SIP roof panels that paired with the ICF walls while simplifying the roof overhangs and allowing the roofline to extend beyond the walls. Engineered trusses provided space for HVAC and electrical systems, while the prefabricated SIP panels helped speed installation and get the home dried in sooner. ACME also worked closely with architect Heidi Schweizer through design revisions and installation, helping bring the home’s modern design and energy-efficiency goals together.
The finished home uses mini-split heating and cooling and was later paired with a ground-mounted solar system. According to the homeowners, their highest electric bill has been just $34, and in many months they produce more electricity than they use. It’s a great example of how SIPs can work alongside other high-performance building systems to create a comfortable home with remarkably low energy demands.
At a Glance
Project Details
| Location | Lexington, Virginia |
| Project Type | Residential, Single-Family Home |
| Builder | Owner / Builder |
| Architect | Heidi Schweizer Architect |
| Size | 1,988 sq. ft. conditioned space |
| SIP Application | Roof (10 1/4" total, 9 3/8" EPS core) |
| Completion | 2020 |
| SIP Benefits | Faster roof installation and dry-in, continuous insulated roof envelope, compatibility with ICF walls, cantilevered roof design, energy efficiency, simplified overhang details |
Why SIPs, Here
- ✓ A tighter building envelope means less energy used to heat and cool it, winter and summer alike.
- ✓ Panels arrive cut to spec and go up fast, so the home was closed in before the weather turned.
- ✓ Less energy used over the life of the home means less carbon produced, for this family and the next one who lives here.
Ready to talk through your project?
If you're planning a build and want to know what a SIP home will actually feel like for your family, in your climate, on your lot, we're glad to walk through it with you.