Alliance Green Builders built this 3,129-square-foot custom home in Ramona, California, to the performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.

In a quest for energy and water self-sufficiency, the homeowners installed 22 kW of sun-tracking photovoltaic panels, a 3.2-kW wind mill, batteries for power storage, a solar thermal water heating system, and nine 10,000-gallon tanks as part of a water collection and recycling system that meets all of the home’s domestic water, irrigation, and fire suppression needs.

The solar-reflectant metal roof and low-emissivity triple-pane windows block unwanted solar gain while the home’s U-shaped design and deep overhangs provide shade.

Stone, gravel, and pavers provide a pervious, fire-resistant ground cover around the home while xeriscaping keeps irrigation needs at a minimum. Behind the home’s three-coat stucco siding, a liquid-applied membrane provides a weather-resistant barrier and rain screen.

ENERGY STAR appliances and LED lighting provide water and energy savings.

ENERGY STAR ceiling fans and triple-pane tilt-and-turn windows help reduce the need for air conditioning.

The 2-by-6 double-stud advance-framed walls are stuffed with R-56 of blown cellulose. Sheets of phase-change material are installed over the cellulose to help even out interior temperatures in this high-desert location.

The roof-mounted solar thermal panels and an air-to-water heat pump provide hot water for the home’s radiant floor heating system.

The home’s energy management system tracks energy and water usage and production. A 40-kW battery storage system is the home’s first source of power, with the grid connection serving as a backup.

In addition to solar water heating, the home is equipped with a fan coil supplied by an air-to-water heat pump and a ducted mini-split heat pump that provides backup heating and cooling. A heat pump water heater provides additional backup hot water.