Insight Homes built this 3,320-square-foot production home in Millsboro, Delaware, to the high performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
Homeowners can expect to save more than $3,200 on annual utility bills, compared to a similar home built to code.
The home was constructed to be solar-ready with structural support and space for photovoltaic panels on the roof and inverter space on the electric panel.
The home’s double paned, vinyl-framed, argon-filled windows have low-emissivity coatings to limit heat transfer, an insulating value of U = 0.28 and a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.19.
ENERGY STAR appliances, LED lighting, and water-saving plumbing fixtures add to energy and water savings in the efficient home.
The home has a high-efficiency (18 SEER/9.6 HSPF) heat pump with a 97.7 AFUE modulating gas (propane) furnace. The air handler unit and all ducts are located in the home’s conditioned space and the systems are equipped with a WiFi-enabled thermostat.
The 2-by-6, 24-inch on-center walls were constructed with several advanced-framing techniques like 2- and 3-stud corners, limited framing at windows and doors, ladder blocking at interior-exterior wall intersections, and no headers over windows and doors on non-load bearing walls.
The walls of the home are filled with a blanket of R-23 blown cellulose insulation.
The coated OSB sheathing product is taped at the seams to serve as both the structural sheathing and the primary weather barrier.
Deep overhangs and porches help protect the windows and vinyl siding from sun and rain.
“No more trips to the hospital!!!”
– Homeowner
“My 4-year-old used to get sick all the time, and now he is a healthy, active boy. No more trips to the hospital!!! Nothing beats living in a superior, healthier home with the most efficient energy features.”
– Homeowner
