In December 2021, the Marshall Fire devastated Colorado’s Front Range, destroying over 1,000 homes in Superior and Louisville a single day. Fueled by 100 mph winds, it left devastation in its wake and families faced with the difficult choice of how to rebuild.
For one Louisville family, rebuilding wasn’t just about replacing what was lost. It was an opportunity to build smarter, stronger, and more energy efficient. DMA Engineering is proud to have partnered with TKP Architects, Gruber Construction, and the homeowners to create a resilient, high-performance home that sets a model for post-disaster rebuilding.
Setting the Vision: Efficiency, Resilience, and Incentives
The homeowners had three clear goals:
1. Maximize long-term energy efficiency
2. Prioritize resilience in design and systems
3. Leverage available rebates and tax credits
DMA was engaged early to help define the solution, evaluate certification pathways, and design the complete mechanical system. The team aligned on the DMA recommended solution: ENERGY STAR NextGen certification, which fit the design goals, qualified for significant incentives, and offered flexibility. Passive House certification was initially considered, but it would have reduced usable square footage by 120 SF, which was too big of a trade-off for this family.
The Mechanical Engineering Solution
DMA delivered a comprehensive energy and mechanical design package, including:
- Ground-source heat pump (geothermal HVAC system): all-electric, high-performance heating and cooling with long-term ROI.
- ENERGY STAR compliance and HERS rating: ensuring measurable energy efficiency outcomes.
- Certification coordination: ENERGY STAR NextGen, ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes V3.2, and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home.
- Trade-off analysis: to meet certification thresholds without compromising design intent.
The result? A 3,000-square-foot residence with a basement, two above-grade floors, and attached garage equipped with a state-of-the-art, all-electric system. The best of all? This was all completed for the cost of a conventional forced-air system, thanks to rebates and tax credits.
Why ENERGY STAR NextGen?
This recently introduced certification requires:
Compliance with ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes V3.2- Achievement of DOE Zero Energy Ready Home standards
- Installation of electric-ready infrastructure for HVAC, water heating, cooking, and clothes drying
By selecting ENERGY STAR NextGen, the project balanced high efficiency with flexibility, ensuring the home is future-ready while optimizing financial incentives.
More Than Recovery: A Forward-Thinking Model
This project is a real-life demonstration of how strategic engineering, strong partnerships, and resilience planning can soften a loss by turning it into long-term opportunity. By integrating sustainable mechanical systems, leveraging incentives, and targeting top-tier certifications, the DMA and the rebuild team delivered a home that is smarter, stronger, and better equipped for the future.
DMA Engineering:
The Solution for Resilient, High-Performance Design
Whether you are navigating post-disaster recovery, pushing toward energy goals or balancing certification requirements with design constraints, DMA Engineering is your partner for lasting performance and sustainable value.
From feasibility studies and energy modeling to full mechanical system design and certification, we deliver smart, future-ready solutions….even for the toughest situations and design challenges.
Let’s connect and turn your next project into a model of resilience, efficiency and long-term success.