DOE Tour of Zero: St. Clair Powerhouse by TC Legend Homes

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TC Legend Homes built this 1,800-square-foot custom home in Bellingham, Washington, to the high performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
Photo courtesy of TC Legend Homes
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Metal roofing and fiber cement siding provide a durable exterior for this marine climate home.
Photo courtesy of TC Legend Homes
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The home’s rectangular shape and simple gable roof decreases construction costs and provides more space for solar panels.
Photo courtesy of TC Legend Homes
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The open loft design encourages the convective transfer of heat from the first-floor radiant heating system.
Photo courtesy of TC Legend Homes
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Highly efficient ENERGY STAR appliances and WaterSense fixtures reduce water and energy use.
Photo courtesy of TC Legend Homes
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Most of the home’s triple-glazed vinyl-framed, low-E windows and sliding doors face south to allow sunlight to warm up the concrete slab under the flooring for passive solar heat.
Photo courtesy of TC Legend Homes
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The home’s foundation walls were made of insulated concrete forms, which consist of rigid foam blocks that are stacked, reinforced with steel, and filled with concrete, providing insulated sides for the concrete floor slab.
Photo courtesy of TC Legend Homes
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TC Legend Homes prefers structural insulated panels for walls and roofs because they are precision made in a factory, assemble quickly on site, provide near continuous insulation, and are known for exceptional structural strength and earthquake resistance.
Photo courtesy of TC Legend Homes
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Domestic hot water is provided by the air-to-water heat pump, which also provides space heating.
Photo courtesy of TC Legend Homes
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An air-to-water heat pump provides hot water for faucets, the first-floor radiant floor heat, and a fan coil air handler that heats the second-floor space.
Photo courtesy of TC Legend Homes

“When a net-zero-energy home can be built at a cost on par with traditional construction, everyone wins.”

– Ted Clifton Jr., builder, TC Legend Homes

Infographic for St. Clair Powerhouse by TC Legend Homes: Bellingham, WA; tclegendhomes.com. 1,800 square feet, HERS score 8, $20 average monthly energy bill, $1,100 annual savings, $46,000 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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“By conserving as much energy as possible, this home will be able to offset 100% of its usage with a roof-sized solar electric system. When a net-zero-energy home can be built at a cost on par with traditional construction, everyone wins. TC Legend Homes is helping to usher in a new era of green construction in which homeowners don’t have to choose between cutting-edge efficiency and staying on budget.”

– Ted Clifton Jr., builder, TC Legend Homes