DOE Tour of Zero: Princeton High Performance Home by Kirsten Thoft Architect

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Kirsten Thoft Architect built this 2,884-square-foot custom home in Princeton, New Jersey, to the high performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Thoft Architect
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The solar-ready home is expected to save homeowners $2,300 per year compared to a home built to the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code.
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Thoft Architect
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ENERGY STAR appliances, LED lighting, and water-saving plumbing fixtures add to energy and water savings in the efficient home.
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Thoft Architect
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VOC-free paints and floor finishes and formaldehyde-free cabinetry are among the EPA Indoor airPLUS features that contribute to cleaner air in the home, along with a continuously operating energy recovery ventilation system.
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Thoft Architect
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Hot water is supplied by a 96% efficient tankless gas water heater that is centrally located in a second-floor utility closet to reduce wait times for hot water. EPA WaterSense-labeled fixtures further reduce water usage.
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Thoft Architect
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All of the home’s light fixtures are equipped with LED bulbs including the ENERGY STAR-rated ceiling fan.
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Thoft Architect
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The double-paned, argon-filled, fiberglass- and wood-framed windows have low-emissivity coatings that slow heat transmission but allow in sunlight for daylighting in nearly every room in the house.
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Thoft Architect
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Two 96% efficient gas-fired furnaces and a 16 SEER air conditioner condition the three-floor home. All of the ductwork is in conditioned space.
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Thoft Architect
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The unvented attic is insulated along the underside of the roof deck with 7 inches (R-49) of closed-cell spray foam, providing vaulted ceilings and a conditioned knee wall space for ducting. The advance framed 2-by-6, 24-inch on-center framed walls are filled with 2 inches of closed-cell spray foam plus 3.5 inches of fiberglass batt for an R-27 total.
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Thoft Architect
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The home is sheathed with a coated OSB product. When the seams are taped, this sheathing takes the place of house wrap to serve as a weather-resistant barrier and air barrier.
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Thoft Architect

“I [now] have the reputation of producing high-quality, high-performance projects for a reasonable budget. It's hard to beat that.”

– Kirsten Thoft, architect

DOE Tour of Zero: Princeton High Performance Home by Kirsten Thoft Architect: 2,884 square feet, HERS 50, $160 monthly energy bill, $2,350 annual savings, $115,900 saved in 30 years.
Key features: High-performance insulation system for enhanced quiet & comfort, comprehensive draft protection, fresh air system for cleaner indoor air, high-efficiency comfort system, energy-efficient appliances & advanced lighting technology to save ener

“Another measure [of success] which is critical for my business is reputation, and by that criteria, the project was a tremendous success. I [now] have the reputation of producing high-quality, high-performance projects for a reasonable budget. It's hard to beat that.”

– Kirsten Thoft, architect