DOE Tour of Zero: The Near Zero Maine II by Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
Photos
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Tom Fullam of Near Zero Maine in Vassalboro, Maine, built this certified U.S. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home for less than $5,000 more than a similar-sized home built to the state energy code.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
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With a solar electric system, this home produces nearly as much energy as it uses each year with monthly utility bills averaging less than $30.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
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The detached garage completely separates the home from residual car exhaust, emissions from stored fuel and paints, and other contaminants associated with garages.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
4/19
All of the paints and finishes in the Near Zero Maine home are certified low-/no-VOC to contribute to a healthy indoor environment — this is one of many features that helped the home qualify for the EPA Indoor airPLUS label.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
5/19
Numerous air-sealing details resulted in a super-airtight home with comprehensive draft protection and significant energy savings.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
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The compact, 1,200-square-foot, high-performance home is heated and cooled with one wall-mounted ultra-efficient ductless heat pump (SEER 26, HSPF 10) that costs much less to operate than the oil burners used in typical Maine homes.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
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High-efficiency appliances including an ENERGY STAR refrigerator, dishwasher, and clothes washer reduce energy and water use.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
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The high-efficiency clothes washer and dryer are ENERGY STAR labeled.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
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The Near Zero Maine home’s ultra-efficient foundation insulation includes two 4-inch layers of rigid foam that wrap the floor slab in a continuous thermal blanket.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
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Water-saving fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms are U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense-certified.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
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Ultra-efficient windows with triple-pane glass, an insulating argon gas fill, and insulated vinyl frames keep out the cold but let sunlight into the natural daylight home.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
12/19
A balanced fresh air system is a critical healthy indoor air feature in this super-airtight home. The system used here brings in outside fresh air through a high-capture filter and exchanges heat with the outgoing stale air drawn from return vents in the bedrooms and bath. This system helps circulate fresh, conditioned air throughout the home.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
13/19
Advanced solid-state lighting technology with LED is used in every fixture.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
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The home’s ultra-efficient wall insulation system consists of a double-wall thermal blanket with two 2-by-4, 24-inch on center stud-framed walls containing three layers of unfaced mineral wool batt insulation.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
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The home’s solar hot water system includes two solar thermal collectors mounted on the porch roof with an electric back-up heater.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
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Ultra-efficient windows with triple-pane glass, an insulating argon gas fill, and insulated vinyl frames were installed flush with the exterior face of the wall so the window water barrier details could more easily be integrated with the wall water barrier.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
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Above the 20 inches of ultra-efficient blown-in cellulose attic insulation, a walkway was installed to provide easy access to electric wiring.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
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Over the plywood sheathing, house wrap is used as a draining water barrier while white cedar shingle cladding completes the dry-by-design walls.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Fullam / Near Zero Maine
19/19
In the middle of the 10.5 inch double-wall thermal blanket, a vapor barrier was installed to separate the middle and inner layers of wall insulation. This vapor barrier (which is required by code in the very cold climate) is taped to vapor barriers in the ceiling and floor for comprehensive draft protection.