The house scored a 30 on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index, which means it is 70 percent more energy efficient than the average new home. Among the energy-efficient moves the Sullivans made:

• Making smart use of natural light
• Preserving much of the original house and foundation
• Recycling the aluminum siding
• Wrapping exterior walls in 1-inch foam-board insulation
• Saving and recycling materials such as the original wood flooring, trim scraps, walnut slabs, tongue-and-groove paneling, and even a jail cell door
• Adding solar panels
• Choosing Low-E, argon-filled windows and doors
• Installing a geothermal HVAC system, an energy recovery ventilator and a heat pump water heater that helps dehumidify the lower level and provides cool air for the wine room
• Designing a potential ADU space, which would be considered gentle infill housing