Dwell Development built this 3,700-square-foot custom home in Seattle, Washington, to the high performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
Rows of solar panels line the roof of the west Seattle home helping to bring the already energy-efficient home’s HERS score from a low 35 down to net zero.
Fiber cement and white oak siding provide a durable cladding for the home.
ENERGY STAR appliances and EPA WaterSense-certified plumbing fixtures add to energy and water savings.
A smart home energy management system communicates with the home’s lighting, HVAC, appliances, solar systems, and even car-charging stations so they can be optimized to work together for increased efficiency.
A solar thermal water heating system provides most of the home’s domestic hot water, while EPA WaterSense-labeled fixtures reduce water usage.
Triple-pane tilt-turn argon-filled low-E vinyl framed windows allow in daylight but block heat transfer, while the home’s LED-equipped fixtures provide efficient evening lighting.
The home is heated with in-floor hydronic radiant heating tubes that were installed in the R-20 insulated slab. The hot water is provided by an air-to-water heat pump with an efficiency of COP 3.92.
The highly efficient wall system consists of two sets of stud walls set side by side to create a 12-inch-thick double-stud wall cavity that is filled with a continuous blanket of R-44 dense-packed cellulose insulation.
The double walls are sheathed with plywood then covered with a liquid-applied water-resistant barrier that provides a seamless air and water barrier for the walls.
“The ultimate goal is always net zero.”
– Dwell Development
“The ultimate goal is always net zero, meaning the home produces the same amount of energy as it consumes, ultimately helping to reduce carbon footprints and energy bills.”
– Dwell Development
