The Hawktail

The Hawktail, a thoughtfully designed Energy Star bungalow near Sylvan Lake, Alberta, by Vleeming Custom Homes, exemplifies high-performance construction and meticulous craftsmanship. Built with energy efficiency, durability, and long-term quality in mind, the home features an Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) foundation, continuous insulation from slab to roof, and prefabricated ICE panel walls. Comfort-focused details—like ultra-quiet exhaust fans, optimized HRV ventilation, and an integrated heat pump water heater—further enhance performance. Vleeming Custom Homes has documented the entire process in a 30-part YouTube series, offering a rare, in-depth look at the construction of this high-performance home.

Features:

Builder: Vleeming Custom Homes

Location: Sylvan Lake, Alberta

Year Built: 2024

Size: 2,505 ft², 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms

Project Manager: Carlo Vleeming

Energy Advisor: Sol Invictus Energy Services

Mechanical Engineer: FM Residential Design

Designer: Vleeming Custom Homes

Certification: Energy Star Certified

EnerGuide Rating: 69 GJ/year (vs. 109 GJ for a standard new home)

Air Tightness: 0.86 ACH50 (expected closer to 0.5 ACH50 after correction)

An ICF Foundation compliments the ICE system above leading to extreme comfort and high levels of performance.

Windows & Doors

• Triple-pane, argon-filled, 1 Low-E coating

• U-factors between 0.96 and 1.10 W/m²·C

• Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): 0.12 to 0.19

• Flanged installation with closed-cell spray foam and custom sill/jamb extensions

Mechanical Systems

Heating: Lennox ML296XV 96% condensing natural gas furnace (30,000–40,000 BTU)

Cooling: 16 SEER A/C

Ventilation: Clean Comfort HRV (VH70220) with preheat, 68% SRE at -25°C

Hot Water: Rheem Proterra integrated heat pump water heater (COP 4.31, UEF 0.9)

• Mechanical systems matched to building envelope performance



Energy & Carbon Performance

Annual Electricity Use: 8160 kWh (29 GJ)

Annual Natural Gas Use: 39 GJ

Energy Use Intensity: 0.34 GJ/m²

Annual Heating Demand: 50.8 GJ (1364 m³ gas)

Estimated Carbon Emissions (Electricity): 6.5 tonnes/year

Estimated Carbon Emissions (Gas): 2.0 tonnes/year

Embodied carbon not assessed

Path to Net-Zero Readiness

• Solar-ready design with conduit to attic

• Roof supports up to 20 kW solar PV system

• 12.75 kW solar array required to reach net-zero energy balance

• ccASHP (cold-climate air-source heat pump) recommended for full electrification

• Supports future EV charger installation

Construction Details & Innovations

• 30-video YouTube series documenting full build process

• ICE panels eliminate many thermal transitions and reduce drywall issues

• EPS below trusses helps prevent truss uplift and ceiling cracks

• All exhaust ducts routed through HRV to reduce envelope penetrations

• Quiet fans encourage continuous operation and better indoor air quality

Although the home was initially built with a natural gas furnace, it is well-suited for conversion to an air-source heat pump. Modelling indicates that the additional electrical demand from such a conversion would keep the home’s peak electrical load below 8 kW.

The Hawktail is situated in Sylvan Lake’s Sixty West community located near all amenities including schools, sports facilities, restaurants, shopping, beaches and a splash park!

Envelope & Insulation

Foundation: ICF with 2.75” EPS insulation on both interior and exterior

Walls: Prefabricated ICE panels (R32 effective) with GPS insulation and galvanized steel framing

Attic/Ceiling: R76.5 effective with 4” rigid EPS below roof trusses and loose-fill cellulose

Basement Floor: 4” EPS continuous sub-slab insulation sealed with 3M tape and poly sheeting

• Continuous insulation from slab to roof

• Air sealing techniques developed in-house by Vleeming

A view of the ICE panel system as the home is under construction.

A view of the rear patio that overlooks a beautiful park in the Sixty West community of Sylvan Lake.

EnergyStar appliances have been thoughtfully installed throughout the home.

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