DOE Tour of Zero: Hillsdale House by Passive House by Steven Bluestone

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Passive Dwellings built this 4,250-square-foot custom home in Hillsdale, New York, to the high performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
Photo courtesy of Steven Bluestone
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Beneath the fiber-cement siding is an unusual building material -- the home was constructed as the first aerated autoclaved concrete certified Passive House in the United States.
Photo courtesy of Steven Bluestone
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A variable refrigerant flow air-source heat pump provides high-efficiency heating and cooling for the home. The air handler and ductwork are located within the conditioned space of the home.
Photo courtesy of Steven Bluestone
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The 9.6-kW pole-mounted PV and super-efficient construction help the homeowners save more than $3,000 in energy bills annually.
Photo courtesy of Steven Bluestone
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All of the paints and finishes used in this EPA Indoor airPLUS certified home are low-/no-VOC-emitting.
Photo courtesy of Steven Bluestone
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Triple-glazed, argon-filled, Passive House-certified windows fill the home with natural light.
Photo courtesy of Steven Bluestone
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The home's above-grade walls are made of 8-inch-thick aerated autoclaved concrete (AAC) blocks. AAC is formed by mixing fine aggregate with water and other minerals that form gas bubbles in the mix causing it to double in size. It can be molded, fired, and easily cut into lightweight blocks with structural and insulating properties.
Photo courtesy of Steven Bluestone
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The roof consists of 12-inch structural insulated panels (SIPs).
Photo courtesy of Steven Bluestone
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On the exterior of the aerated concrete walls, the builder attached 4.5 inches of foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid foam and topped this with furring strips to provide a ventilation gap behind the fiber cement siding.
Photo courtesy of Steven Bluestone
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An energy recovery ventilator provides continuous ventilation for clean air inside the tightly air-sealed home (0.39 ACH 50).
Photo courtesy of Steven Bluestone

“It is difficult to explain what it is like to live in a home without drafts, cold spots, and heating/cooling losses through inefficient windows.”

– Steven Bluestone, builder, Passive House

Infographic for Hillsdale House by Passive House by Steven Bluestone: Hillsdale, NY; passivedwellings.com. 4,250 square feet, HERS score 9, $90 average monthly energy bill, $3,300 annual savings, $138,000 saved in the first 30 years.
Key features list: High-performance insulation system for enhanced quiet and comfort, comprehensive draft protection, fresh air system for cleaner indoor air, high-efficiency comfort system, energy-efficient appliances and advanced lighting technology for

“Actual electric bills and solar energy production numbers are all made available to all prospective clients … It is difficult to explain what it is like to live in a home without drafts, cold spots, and heating/cooling losses through inefficient windows. Ancillary benefits are its fireproof construction, waterproof properties, and the fact that it is rodent proof.”

– Steven Bluestone, builder, Passive House