DOE Tour of Zero: Rolling View Drive by S.D. Jessup Construction Inc.

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S.D. Jessup Construction built this 4,215-square-foot custom home in Tobaccoville, North Carolina, to the high performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
Photo courtesy of S.D. Jessup Construction Inc.
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Even without solar panels, this efficient home achieves a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 41, far below the 80 to 100 HERS score of typical new homes.
Photo courtesy of S.D. Jessup Construction Inc.
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The sloped lot, stone base, perimeter drain, and vapor retarder help to keep moisture out of the insulated basement.
Photo courtesy of S.D. Jessup Construction Inc.
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Moisture-resistant fiber cement siding is one of the many durability features built into the home.
Photo courtesy of S.D. Jessup Construction Inc.
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The rim band connecting the basement walls to the floor joists is spray foamed to provide air-sealing and insulation in this hard-to-seal juncture.
Photo courtesy of S.D. Jessup Construction Inc.
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The exterior walls are really two 2-by-4 stud walls set 3 inches apart to form a 10-inch-thick wall cavity that is filled with blown-in fiberglass to provide a continuous R-40 blanket of insulation around the home.
Photo courtesy of S.D. Jessup Construction Inc.
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All of the top plates and any ceiling penetrations were sealed with spray foam and/or caulk before covering the ceiling deck of the vented attic with blown fiberglass.
Photo courtesy of S.D. Jessup Construction Inc.
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The use of blown-in insulation allows the extra deep wall cavity to be filled in completely with no voids that could create cold spots in the walls.
Photo courtesy of S.D. Jessup Construction Inc.
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Both the walls and the roof were sheathed with taped, coated OSB, which provides a continuous air and water barrier, while the ½-inch furring strips provide a ventilation gap behind the fiber cement siding.
Photo courtesy of S.D. Jessup Construction Inc.
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The precast insulated concrete walls of the basement provide a conditioned space for the high-efficiency (18 SEER, 9.5 HSPF) air-source heat pump, with its variable-speed fan, five-stage compressor, and MERV 11 filter.
Photo courtesy of S.D. Jessup Construction Inc.

“I know that I have left my clients with a more durable, efficient, comfortable, and healthy home than most anyone has around.”

– Shawn Jessup, builder, SD Jessup Construction Inc.

Infographic for Rolling View Drive by S.D. Jessup Construction Inc.: Pilot Mountain, NC; sdjessup.com. 4,215 square feet, HERS score 41, $150 average monthly energy bill, $600 annual savings, $24,000 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

“Without a map (checklist), we might easily get lost wandering aimlessly in the forest of 'better building.' This program … points you in the right direction and gives you a comprehensive plan for a great home. When I walk away from a ZERH … I know that I have left my clients with a more durable, efficient, comfortable, and healthy home than most anyone has around.  

– Shawn Jessup, builder, SD Jessup Construction Inc.

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