DOE Tour of Zero: Cortez Custom by Mantell-Hecathorn Builders
Photos
1/23
Mantell-Hecathorn Builders built this 1,559-square-foot home in Durango, Colorado, to the performance criteria of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
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2/23
Energy-efficiency measures incorporated in the high-performance home are expected to save homeowners $2,500 in energy costs compared to a similar sized home built to code.
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3/23
All of the home’s lighting is provided by advanced solid-state LEDs.
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4/23
When the 6.8-kW solar electric system is added, the home achieves a Home Energy Rating System score of -13; it actually produces more power in a year than it uses.
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5/23
An ENERGY STAR-rated refrigerator adds to energy savings.
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6/23
All water fixtures and faucets are low flow to meet the requirements of the EPA WaterSense program. Hot water is provided by an ultra-efficient heat pump water heater.
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7/23
Passive solar design features, such as extensive south-facing windows and exposed concrete slab flooring to absorb winter sun, take advantage of free passive solar heating, while overhangs block high summer sun.
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8/23
The home meets the EPA Indoor airPLUS requirements including the use of low- or no-VOC wood products, primer, paint, cabinets, and flooring.
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9/23
Two high-efficiency (12 HSPF, 26 SEER) ductless mini-split heat pumps heat and cool the home.
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10/23
A capillary break stops water from moving from the footing up into the wall.
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11/23
The foundation and crawlspace are constructed using insulated concrete forms (ICFs) to provide an insulation value of R-22.
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12/23
Thick beads of caulk will form a continuous seal between the subfloor and the wall’s bottom plate to keep out air and bugs.
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13/23
The builder incorporated advanced framing techniques that use less lumber while providing more space for insulation inside the walls.
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14/23
A double-stud wall consisting of a 2-by-6 load-bearing outer wall plus a 2-by-4 inner wall provided a 9-inch-thich cavity for insulation.
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15/23
Advanced framing techniques included open headers over windows to allow for extra insulation above the window.
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16/23
The 9-inch-thick double walls were first sprayed with 3 inches of closed-cell foam against the back side of the exterior wall sheathing, then the remainder of the cavity was filled with 6 inches of blown fiberglass,
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17/23
The vaulted living room ceiling had 7 inches of closed-cell spray foam plus an R-22 unfaced mineral wool batt for a total insulation value of R-68 while the remaining flat sections of ceiling had 22 inches of loose fill fiberglass blown over the ceiling deck for R-70 of insulation.
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18/23
Air-sealing around holes cut in the ceiling for electrical wires, lighting, and ducts is part of a continuous draft barrier strategy.
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19/23
Flexible flashing is installed around doors and windows over the coated OSB sheathing; together they form a water wall barrier and air barrier behind the siding.
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20/23
Special tape provides air-sealing and flashing at the intersection of the foundation and the wall.
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21/23
Specific tapes are selected to cover seams in the wall sheathing and to provide water-repellent flashing around windows and doors.
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“I am confident that the house they built for me will meet all of my future needs.”
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“The passive solar features that were built into my house … help warm the place in winter and cool the place in summer. The photovoltaic panels provide for all my daytime energy needs. The house is so well-built that heating and cooling demands are minimal. I am confident that the house they built for me will meet all of my future needs.”
– Homeowner
