High Performance Homes built this 4,270-square-foot custom home in Westminster, Maryland, to the high performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.

Lifetime warrantied shingles, 15-pound felt, ice-and-water shield, kick-out flashing, and 5-inch sidewall flashing protect the vented attic, which is insulated at the attic floor with 1 inch of closed-cell foam sprayed directly onto the drywall then covered with R-49 of blown fiberglass for an overall insulation value of R-56.

The rear exterior utilizes a French drain system directing water to a 12-by-6 drywell. The Rose Acres Project also features a 5.94-kW system of solar shingles.

The kitchen is equipped with energy- and water-saving ENERGY STAR appliances, many of which were installed lower to be wheelchair accessible.

The kitchen features a roll-under sink and countertop design for wheelchair accessibility.

A recirculating pump speeds hot water to fixtures in the master bathroom.

The basement walls consist of pre-cast reinforced concrete wall panels that arrive at the site with a 2.5-inch layer of XPS rigid foam adhered to the wall panels and 1-inch layers of rigid foam attached to each side of the rebar-reinforced concrete studs, which are faced with a galvanized steel nailing surface.

Roof trusses are set into place on the 6.5-inch, R-23 SIP walls. A 4.5-inch SIP insulates the first-floor rim bands, which are then sealed with 1 inch of closed-cell foam and an R-19 batt between the floor joists. Every crack and joint is sealed using low-expansion foam and caulk.

Hot water is provided by a 55-gallon desuperheater fed from the geothermal heat pump and a 55-gallon, .91 EF electric water heater. A push button-activated recirculating pump brings hot water to the faucets with no water waste.