DOE Tour of Zero: Taylor Street by Greenhill Contracting
Photos
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Greenhill Contracting built this 4,190-square-foot house in Esopus, New York, to the performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program, resulting in an estimated energy cost savings of about $4,800 per year compared to minimally code-compliant house without a photovoltaic electric generation system.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
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The builder took advantage of the south-facing slope to add a conditioned daylight basement that permits more living space on a smaller footprint.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
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A 9.9-kW photovoltaic electric generation system contributes about $1,600 a year in energy savings.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
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The home has an ENERGY STAR dishwasher and clothes washer for energy and water savings.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
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The home meets the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Indoor airPLUS certification including the use of structural wood products, primer, paint, cabinets, and flooring that emit no or few air contaminants.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
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All of the home’s light fixtures use energy-saving advanced LED technology.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
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The home’s ultra-efficient triple-paned vinyl-framed windows have an argon-gas fill between the panes to increase the insulation values.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
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Closed-cell spray-foam insulation forms a continuous thermal blanket beneath the foundation slab.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
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Insulated concrete form (ICF) blocks composed of rigid foam sides with plastic spacers, steel reinforcement, and a concrete core form a sturdy bug- and mold-resistant wall that will withstand hurricanes and earthquakes and maintain interior temperatures for days in the event of a power outage.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
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A hybrid application of 11 inches of open-cell spray foam and 2 inches of closed-cell spray foam create a conditioned attic that ties into insulated concrete forms to provide a continuous thermal blanket around the structure.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
“Regardless of how much pollen is being sent into the air by the local trees, the inside of the house is always free from pollen.”
“The air quality is fantastic in the house; regardless of much pollen is being sent into the air by the local trees, the inside of the house is always free from pollen. For those in the family with seasonal allergies, this is excellent news!”
– Homeowners
