DOE Tour of Zero: The Performance House by Preferred Builders Inc.
Photos
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This neocolonial home in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, built by Preferred Builders, combines traditional design with state-of-the-art energy efficiency for a home that will save its owners more than $2,000 per year in energy costs compared to a minimum-code home.
Photo courtesy of Preferred Builders
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This 2,700-square-foot home meets all of the requirements of the U.S. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program, including certification to ENERGY STAR and the U.S. EPA’s Indoor airPLUS program. The home is also certified to EPA’s WaterSense program, LEED for Homes platinum level, and the National Green Building Standard emerald level.
Photo courtesy of Preferred Builders
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High-efficiency ENERGY STAR-labeled appliances and advanced solid-state lighting technology provide significant energy savings.
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The handicapped-accessible bathrooms feature water-saving EPA WaterSense-labeled fixtures, recycled-content countertops, and Forest Stewardship Council-certified cabinetry.
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The unvented, insulated attic provides a conditioned space for the home's high-efficiency comfort system including two air handlers with ultra-efficient fans, a high-efficiency boiler, and a SEER 16 air conditioner. The ultra-efficient attic insulation (R-52.6) includes layers of closed-cell spray foam, mineral fiber batt insulation, and foil-faced fiberglass batt insulation.
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The ultra-efficient foundation insulation system includes a concrete slab floor poured on top of 2 inches (R-13.6) of closed-cell foam sprayed directly onto an 8-inch bed of ¾-inch stone.
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After the basement walls are set, the prepared ground is covered with 2 inches of closed-cell spray foam sprayed directly onto the 8-inch bed of trap rock. Piping for radiant floor heating is then laid down and covered with the concrete slab floor.
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The foundation water barrier system includes sill seal and copper termite-barrier flashing between the concrete foundation wall and the sill plate as a capillary break. The wall water barrier system uses a rubberized waterproof coating sprayed on the exterior of the foundation walls and covered with an R-3 drain board.
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The coated roof and wall sheathing is taped at all seams as part of a comprehensive draft protection system.
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The multi-layered roof water barrier system includes roof sheathing joints taped and coated with waterproofing, an adhesive-backed roofing membrane applied at the overhangs, eaves, and valleys, and water-resistant, breathable, roof underlayment.
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The home’s wall framing is wrapped with a continuous thermal blanket of rigid foam insulation.
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An unvented attic increases the home’s resistance to damage from high winds and wild fires.
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Dry-by-design walls include OSB sheathing with a laminated water barrier, covered by panels of taped rigid foam that were covered with a plastic mesh rain screen to ensure an air gap behind the exterior cladding that allows for drainage and drying.
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To improve water resistance in the bathrooms, a waterproof, breathable fabric product is installed on the backer board with thinset before the tile is installed. A bubble-wrap-like waterproofing membrane is installed over the subfloor with thinset before the floor tile is installed.
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To help ensure a complete air barrier between the garage and the house, the wall between the garage and the house is insulated and air-sealed with 4 inches of high-density spray foam and the ceiling was insulated with 3 inches of closed-cell spray foam.
Photo courtesy of Preferred Builders
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A storm water management system channels rainwater to retention chambers buried in the front yard.