DOE Tour of Zero: Afton Model by Amaris Homes

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Amaris Homes built this 3,734-square-foot custom home in Afton, Minnesota, to the high performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
Photo courtesy of Amaris Homes
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A sheltered patio provides a cool inviting outdoor retreat. The patio is surfaced with pavers to reduce the amount of impervious surfaces around the home.
Photo courtesy of Amaris Homes
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The aerosol-spray-sealed metal ducting for the high-efficiency 9.8 HSPF/16 SEER air-source heat pump is located completely within the home’s conditioned space and lends a modern design element to the home’s great room.
Photo courtesy of Amaris Homes
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The double-paned, argon-filled, vinyl-framed windows have nearly invisible low-emissivity coatings to let in light but block heat transfer.
Photo courtesy of Amaris Homes
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All of the home’s plumbing fixtures meet the EPA’s WaterSense criteria for water savings.
Photo courtesy of Amaris Homes
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The home’s slab-on-grade foundation is wrapped in a blanket of rigid foam extending completely under the slab and along the edges.
Photo courtesy of Amaris Homes
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Closed-cell spray foam fills the rafter bays of the home’s vaulted ceilings and provides a 2-inch layer of air sealing and insulating protection under 12 inches of blown cellulose on the flat-ceilinged portions of the home.
Photo courtesy of Amaris Homes
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The 2-by-6, 24-inch on-center walls of the home are filled with R-21 closed-cell spray foam then wrapped with 7⁄16-inch plywood and topped with R-5.5 rigid foam for a continuous layer of thermal protection. House wrap provides an air barrier and drainage plane under the engineered wood siding.
Photo courtesy of Amaris Homes
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A ductless heat pump provides supplemental heating and cooling in the bonus space.
Photo courtesy of Amaris Homes
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The utility room houses the home’s high-efficiency gas boiler, which supplies hot water for the floor heating system and faucets, as well as the home’s central air source heat pump and energy recovery ventilator fresh air system.
Photo courtesy of Amaris Homes

“We have a very high customer satisfaction since we converted to sustainable green home building.” 

– Ray Pruban, president, Amaris Homes, LLC

Infographic for Afton Model by Amaris Homes: Maplewood, MN; minnesotagreenhomebuilder.com. 3,734 square feet, HERS score 9, $60 average monthly energy bill, $3,350 annual savings, $171,000 saved in the first 30 years.
Key features list: High-performance insulation system for enhanced quiet and comfort, comprehensive draft protection, fresh air system for cleaner indoor air, high-efficiency comfort system, energy-efficient appliances and advanced lighting technology for

“Amaris has embedded high-performance principles into our everyday building practices and we have committed to building 100% of our homes to the requirements of DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home program. We have a very high customer satisfaction since we converted to sustainable green home building.”
 – Raymond Pruban, President, Amaris Homes, LLC

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