DOE Tour of Zero: Eco Farm House by LifeStyle Homes
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LifeStyle Homes built this 4,766-square-foot custom home in Downers Grove, Illinois, to the high performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
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The efficient construction and solar photovoltaic system combine to nearly eliminate heating and cooling costs for the homeowners of this Chicago-area home.
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ENERGY STAR appliances help reduce energy use.
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Nearly all of the fixtures in the brightly lit home employ advanced LED lighting.
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EPA WaterSense-certified plumbing fixtures help reduce demand in the efficient home.
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To help ensure good indoor air quality in the home, the paint, flooring, finishes, sealers, caulking, and other building materials are certified as low- or no-VOC or formaldehyde-emitting products, in line with EPA Indoor airPLUS requirements.
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Rigid foam insulation will wrap the interior and exterior of the poured concrete walls of the home’s insulated basement. The exterior surface of the walls is protected by a waterproofing coating under the rigid insulation board and a plastic dimpled drain board over the rigid foam for complete moisture and thermal protection.
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A continuous layer of rigid foam insulates the interior surface of the insulated basement while spray foam fills the band joists to continue the thermal protection.
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Fire-rated caulk air-seals around the ducts.
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Strips of flexible foam provide a ventilating air gap between the R-6.6-insulated coated sheathing and the fiber cement lap siding.