DOE Tour of Zero: The ZED 2 by Boulder ZED Design Build
Photos
1/29
This home by Boulder ZED Design Build of Colorado is a U.S. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home that will cost its homeowners less than $10 a month in utility bills.
Photo courtesy of
2/29
Boulder ZED fit the 2,504-square-foot home on a small urban infill lot using natural comfort orientation to maximize the potential to capture beneficial solar heat gain in the winter while blocking unwanted solar heat in the summer with solar window shading, including pergolas and roof overhangs.
Photo courtesy of
3/29
All of the floors are made from renewable cork or bamboo, and an abundance of windows provide light for the natural daylight home.
Photo courtesy of
4/29
High-efficiency appliances include an ENERGY STAR-labeled refrigerator and dishwasher that provide energy and water savings.
Photo courtesy of
5/29
Ultra-efficient triple-pane windows include insulating frames and invisible advanced technology coatings that let in light while reflecting solar heat in the summer and keeping heat inside in the winter.
Photo courtesy of
6/29
Forest Stewardship Council-certified formaldehyde-free cabinetry with certified low/no-VOC finishes help provide a healthier indoor environment.
Photo courtesy of
7/29
All of the floors are made from renewable cork or bamboo, and an abundance of windows provide light for the natural daylight home.
Photo courtesy of
8/29
About 80% of the home’s fixtures use advanced solid-state lighting technology.
Photo courtesy of
9/29
The professionally installed balanced fresh air system brings fresh air to every room via 95% efficient heat exchange technology with moisture recovery and high-capture filtration.
Photo courtesy of
10/29
The balanced fresh air system provides filtered fresh air throughout the home via the central air handler system while exhausting stale air from the bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, and master closet.
Photo courtesy of
11/29
Ultra-efficient lighting and water-saving fixtures are just two ways that owners can save money and resources.
Photo courtesy of
12/29
Water-saving fixtures that are certified through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program are installed throughout the home.
Photo courtesy of
13/29
An on-demand hot water pump speeds hot water to showers and faucets and substantially reduces waste.
Photo courtesy of
14/29
The professionally installed fresh air system includes timed exhaust fans that pull moisture out of bathrooms to help contribute to healthy indoor air.
Photo courtesy of
15/29
Looking to the future, separate drain lines were installed for greywater fixtures (sinks and showers) and blackwater fixtures (toilets). Currently both lines discharge to the sewer because legacy water rights regulations prevent homeowners from using the greywater for irrigation. Should that change in the future, the lucky owners of this house will be able to easily divert shower and sink water to their gardens.
Photo courtesy of
16/29
Porcelain tile flooring was selected because it does not require annual sealing with potentially harmful products. Other steps to contributing to a contaminant-resistant home include making the garage a separate building.
Photo courtesy of
17/29
Using certified low-/no-VOC finishes is one of many steps that helped the home qualify for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Indoor airPLUS label.
Photo courtesy of
20/29
High-efficiency advanced wall framing with 2-by-6 studs spaced 24 inches apart provides a deeper wall with more room for insulation.
Photo courtesy of
21/29
An air-sealing layer of spray foam is applied under the roof deck and inside the walls before filling with blown cellulose to contribute to comprehensive draft protection.
Photo courtesy of
22/29
The ultra-efficient wall insulation system includes framing cavities filled with spray foam and blown cellulose plus a continuous thermal blanket with 4 inches of rigid foam insulation wrapping the exterior framing.
Photo courtesy of
23/29
The ultra-efficient attic insulation includes 1 inch of closed-cell spray foam plus blown cellulose inside the vaulted ceilings and a continuous thermal blanket on top of the roof deck with an additional 3.5 inches of rigid foam insulation.
Photo courtesy of
24/29
The professionally sealed comfort delivery system includes right-sized, rigid metal ducts that are sealed at every joint and seam with mastic that lasts longer and seals better than tape.
Photo courtesy of
25/29
The roof water barrier system includes a continuous underlayment and self-adhering ice-and-water shield overlapping the edges of the roof under the rigid foam insulation.
Photo courtesy of
26/29
The high-performance window system properly integrates air-sealing and moisture barrier layers around the professionally installed windows.
Photo courtesy of
27/29
High-efficiency foundation insulation wraps the exterior, while open-cell spray foam coats the interior of the crawlspace foundation walls.
Photo courtesy of
"You have no operating costs in the future."
Click on the box to learn more.
“Our homes are super-healthy, energy-efficient, and you have no operating costs in the future.”
– Builder Brian Hludzinski
