1/9
The first affordable home built by custom home builder Caldwell and Johnson of North Kingston, Rhode Island, is a certified U.S. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home.
Photo courtesy of Caldwell and Johnson
2/9
The 2,244-square-foot, two-story home features three bedrooms, 1.5 baths, a full basement, and a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 47, far lower than a minimum-code home.
Photo courtesy of Caldwell and Johnson
3/9
A high-efficiency ductless heat pump with a small compressor outside and four air handlers inside provides advanced comfort technology for the home.
Photo courtesy of Caldwell and Johnson
4/9
The home has a comprehensive whole-house water protection system including dry-by-design roof, walls, window and door openings, and foundation.
Photo courtesy of Caldwell and Johnson
5/9
The home’s basement includes a high-efficiency heat pump water heater and high-efficient closed-cell spray foam insulation.
Photo courtesy of Caldwell and Johnson
6/9
The home uses energy-saving advanced wall framing with thicker 2-by-6 studs spaced further apart to reduce the amount of lumber needed and provide more room for insulation.
Photo courtesy of Caldwell and Johnson
7/9
The 2-by-6 wall framing is filled with 5.5 inches (R-23) of open-cell spray foam, which provides comprehensive draft protection, as well as a high-efficiency wall insulation system.
Photo courtesy of Caldwell and Johnson
8/9
The high-efficiency wall framing shown here uses 2-by-4 studs with a 1.5-inch layer of rigid foam glued to one edge to block heat loss and gain through the wood.
Photo courtesy of Caldwell and Johnson
9/9
The high-efficiency wall insulation system uses rigid foam on the interior face of the framing to block heat loss and gain through the wood.
Photo courtesy of Caldwell and Johnson