DOE Tour of Zero: Revive North Star Plan by Philgreen Construction

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Philgreen Construction built this 1,770-square-foot home in Fort Collins, Colorado, to the performance criteria of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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This home’s 8.56-kW solar electric system and energy-efficient construction give it a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of -9, meaning the home will produce more energy than it consumes, saving its homeowners $2,070 a year in energy costs compared to a standard new home built to code, which would have a HERS of roughly 80 to 100.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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Two ENERGY STAR-rated ceiling fans are installed to help the home feel comfortable while using less air conditioning.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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Low-VOC paints, finishes, and cabinets help this home earn a EPA Indoor airPLUS certification.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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For additional energy savings, nearly all of this home’s lighting is supplied by advanced technology LEDs.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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An ENERGY STAR-rated refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer are installed to reduce energy and water use.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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The home’s advanced comfort system includes a ground source heat pump that provides energy-efficient heating and cooling.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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In the home’s bathrooms, dual-flush toilets and EPA WaterSense-rated plumbing are installed to conserve water.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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To reduce heat loss through the windows, this home has energy-efficient double-paned windows.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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This home’s solar electric system generates more than $2,000 per year for the homeowner.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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A thick R-50 layer of open-cell spray foam blankets the ceiling of the unvented attic, providing a protected location for the home’s HVAC equipment and 50-gallon hot water heater, which gets water preheated by the ground-source heat pump.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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The home’s exterior 2-by-6 walls are filled with closed-cell spray foam then covered with insulated sheathing with taped seams to serve as an air and water barrier beneath the wood siding.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction

“I won’t have to worry about increasing energy bills in the future because I am more in control of both my energy use and production.”

DOE Tour of Zero: Revive North Star Plan by Revive / Philgreen Construction infographic: Fort Collins, CO; ReviveFC.com. 1,770 square feet, HERS -9, -$15 average monthly energy bill, $3,000 annual savings, $132,000 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
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“I’m really pleased by the renewable energy and the performance of this home. My energy bills including transportation [for an electric car] were … $5 [in winter] and now have gone negative in the spring and will continue to earn money in the summer. I won’t have to worry about increasing energy bills in the future because I am more in control of both my energy use and production.”

-- Homeowner