Project Description

This new four-bedroom home looks very much like a typical center-hall colonial. Visitors to the house are unlikely to notice anything remarkable other than the quality finishes and the wonderful natural lighting from the large windows. However, this house is built very differently from a similar-looking house that meets code minimums. One of the owners’ primary goals for the home was net zero performance so every aspect of the thermal envelope, mechanical and renewable energy systems has been upgraded to incorporate cutting-edge building science strategies. Final HERS score of “0” confirms that the home has achieved a net zero rating.

Type: New Construction, Custom Green Home

Special Features:

  • Open concept family/dining/kitchen area
  • Custom millwork in several rooms

Green Building Approaches:

  • Rear of house faces solar south to capture winter heat
  • 12.6kw PV panels should generate more energy than is used over the course of a full year
  • Home energy Rating Scored (HERS) score of -1, denoting net zero performance.
  • 8” of EPS rigid foam board insulation under the slab – R34
  • 2” of continuous closed-cell (low GWP) spray foam applied to basement walls – R14
  • 5.5” of dense-pack cellulose between 2×4 studs on interior face of basement walls – R20
  • 12” thick double wall framing to practically eliminate thermal bridging
  • 2” of closed-cell spray foam applied to interior face of exterior wall sheathing – R14
  • 9.5” of dense-pack cellulose insulation completes exterior wall insulation – R32
  • Attic floor is insulated with 24” of dense-pack cellulose – R86
  • Acrylic sheathing tapes used to achieve exceptional air-tightness of 0.32ACH50
  • European triple-glazed uPVC windows with u-values of 0.13 (roughly R-8)
  • Ducted air-source heat pump system heats and cools the entire house
  • Heat pump water heater extracts heat from interior air
  • Hot water recirculation activated by a motion sensor provides quick HW delivery
  • Energy recovery ventilation has separate small diameter duct distribution system
  • Fiber cement siding installed over a ¾” drainage plane
  • Exterior trim made from recycled fly ash and rated for ground contact
  • 100% LED lighting
  • Low-flow water fixtures throughout