DOE Tour of Zero: Lakeside Luxury by Charles Thomas Homes
Photos
1/10
Charles Thomas Homes built this 4,556-square-foot custom home in Valley, Nebraska, to the high performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
Photo courtesy of Charles Thomas Homes
2/10
The home’s design includes deep overhangs and covered porches that protect the walls and windows from high summer sun.
Photo courtesy of Charles Thomas Homes
3/10
ENERGY STAR appliances and LED lighting add to energy savings in the efficient home.
Photo courtesy of Charles Thomas Homes
4/10
Double-pane, argon-filled windows supplement the interior lighting with natural daylight.
Photo courtesy of Charles Thomas Homes
5/10
All of the windows are low-e3, which means they have three layers of a very thin, nearly invisible, metal coating on the glass to reflect back radiant heat, helping to keep heat in in the winter and out in the summer.
Photo courtesy of Charles Thomas Homes
6/10
Highly efficient SEER 16 air conditioners keep the home’s interior cool while two tankless 95% efficient gas boilers provide hot water for the fan coil system, which distributes heated air throughout the home using high-velocity small diameter ducts.
Photo courtesy of Charles Thomas Homes
7/10
Two highly efficient tankless gas boilers provide endless hot water to the tubs, showers, and faucets, as well as to the fan coil system that heats the home.
Photo courtesy of Charles Thomas Homes
8/10
No- and low-VOC products and finishes, an active radon mitigation system, very tight air-sealing, and a filtered fresh air intake help contribute to clean indoor air in the EPA Indoor airPLUS certified home.
Photo courtesy of Charles Thomas Homes
“The biggest reward for me is the personal satisfaction knowing I am in the top 1% of all builders in the country.”
– Tim Lowndes, builder, Charles Thomas Homes
“We build each home to the same standards, whether it costs $300,000 or $1,200,000. Our buyers seek us out … usually because of the reputation we have for building high-performance homes. The biggest reward for me is the personal satisfaction of knowing I am in the top 1% of all builders in the country.”
– Tim Lowndes, builder, Charles Thomas Homes
