DOE Tour of Zero: The Courtyards by High Performance Homes
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High Performance Homes built this 6,000-square-foot home in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to the performance criteria of the U.S. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
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The energy- and water-saving measures incorporated in this home are estimated to save $1,600 per year, not counting the home’s solar electric generation system. The average monthly energy bill will be about $100.
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The solar electric panels on this home look similar to traditional roof shingles but provide 7 kW of solar power. They are projected to boost the annual energy savings to $2,500 per year and $109,000 over a 30-year mortgage.
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The home is oriented to maximize warmth and light from the sun in winter, but windows are shaded by eaves to reduce excess sunlight in summer.
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The hip roof design adds hurricane resistance, while the ENERGY STAR-rated reflective shingles minimize heat gain to the attic, which is insulated with a combination of blown-in insulation and closed-cell spray foam that provides an insulation value of 53.
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The home’s daylight-basement is insulated with 2 inches (R-10) of rigid foam under the slab, while a half-inch of rigid EPS separates the concrete foundation walls from the interior stud-framed walls, which are filled with R-15 of batt insulation. The downstairs daylight walls, like the above-grade walls, are made of R-37 structural insulated panels (SIPs), which connect with the other foam layers to form a continual thermal blanket around the home.
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Durable materials like composite decking, lifetime guaranteed roofing, and stone cladding plus sturdy SIP walls add to the storm resistance of the home.
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Site grading, pervious pavers, drywells, and the site’s own natural topography are taken into account to minimize storm water runoff.
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Wide doorways and level entries are among the aging-in-place features that make this high-performance home a more accessible one, as well.
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The high-efficiency windows are double-paned, have argon gas fill between the panes to increase their insulating value, and are coated with invisible low-emissivity coatings that help to reduce heat gains and losses.
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This home uses advanced solid-state lighting—half of the lighting is LED and other half is compact fluorescent lighting.
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Ceiling fans can help the home feel more comfortable with less use of air conditioning.
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The walls of this home are constructed using SIPs that provide a continuous thermal blanket of R-23.
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An energy management system with programmable thermostats allows the homeowner to monitor, automate, and control energy use at home or remotely.
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The home’s refrigerator, dishwasher, and bath fans are all ENERGY STAR-rated.
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A range fan vents cooking fumes to the exterior of the home for healthy air quality.
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Age-in-place features in the home include an elevator providing easy access to the lower level.
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Behind the walls, extra air-sealing details like caulking or foaming top plate and bottom plate seams and rough openings around windows helps to ensure a draft-free home.
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An ultra-efficient geothermal heat pump meets all of the 5,962-square-foot home’s heating and cooling needs with a coefficient of performance (COP) of 5.6 and an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 20.3.
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The home’s lower level is equipped with a second kitchen that can be used for entertaining or as part of separate living quarters.
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For maximum water conservation, only low-flow water fixtures and toilets are installed in the home.
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The home’s four ENERGY STAR bathroom fans efficiently remove humid air from bathrooms.
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The hot water circulation system is activated by motion sensors to bring water quickly to the tap when needed, with less waiting and less waste.
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The home’s low- or no-VOC paints, adhesives, and cabinetry contribute to healthier indoor air quality.
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The home’s water heating system uses a combination of geothermal heat and electricity to efficiently meet household needs.
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The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program requires professional third-party inspections and testing during and after construction to confirm that rigorous program requirements were met. This home achieved a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 21, while average new homes built to code would score between 80 and 100.
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Insulated splines consisting of boards layered with rigid foam minimize energy loss at joints between the SIP wall panels.
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A moisture-resistant barrier protects the foundation from moisture in the ground and rigid foam insulation under the slab provides an insulation value of R-10.
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Where the wood framing of the house and concrete foundation meet, a weep screed was installed for proper moisture management. The home is wrapped in house wrap to seal against air and moisture leaks.
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High Performance Homes is committed to building every home to the requirements of the ZERH program—this means every home is prewired for a solar energy system.