Bellingham Bay Builders built this 2,828-square-foot custom home in Bellingham, Washington, to the performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.

The 2-by-6 walls are clad with durable fiber cement and stained cedar and topped with reflective metal roofing for a lasting finish.

Deep overhangs and porches protect the walls and windows from high overhead summer sun as well as rain and snow.

The insulated double-pane windows have an average U-value of 0.25 and low-emissivity coatings to slow heat transfer. The builder also selected upgraded sliding doors that had better hardware and air sealing properties.

The home’s refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer, and clothes dryer all meet ENERGY STAR product criteria for energy and water savings.

The home’s hot water was provided by a heat pump water heater that had ducting to pull intake air from the vented attic in the garage (likely the hottest air in the house) while exhaust air was ducted out a side wall to reduce any impact cold exhaust air might have on the home’s winter heating costs.

The home’s daylight basement slab was poured on 4 inches of EPS rigid foam, while the walls were wrapped in 1.5 inches of EPS. Below-grade walls were also protected with a polyethylene membrane adhered to the walls and a dimpled plastic rain mat over the rigid foam.

The 2-by-6 wall assembly is covered with coated OSB sheathing taped at the seams, 3 inches rigid mineral wool insulation, and 1/4-inch rain-screen battens, while 5.5 inches of fiberglass batts fills the walls.

The home is equipped with an 8.96-kW PV system and is anticipated to perform at net zero in its first year.