Insight Homes built this 2,821-square-foot production home in Millsboro, Delaware, to the high performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.

This energy-efficient home should cost its homeowners nearly $2,500 less to heat and cool than a similar-sized home just built to code.

An efficient hot water distribution system helps reduce water usage while speeding hot water to faucets in this EPA WaterSense-certified home.

Advanced LED lighting supplements the daylighting that fills the home’s interiors.

The double-pane windows have nearly invisible low-emissivity coatings to block heat transfer while allowing in plenty of natural daylight.

A highly efficient 18 SEER/9.6 HSPF central heat pump plus high-performing 97.7 AFUE modulating propane furnace heat and cool the home.

Low-VOC paints, construction adhesives, carpeting, and other materials helped the home achieve the gold level of certification under the National Green Building Standard. Like all DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes, this home also achieved an EPA Indoor airPLUS certification signifying the builder’s commitment to good indoor air quality.

All of the ducts for the advanced heating and cooling system are located in the home’s conditioned space, either in the insulated crawlspace or between floors.

A coated OSB sheathing is taped at all seams to wrap the home in an airtight windbreaker.

An efficient tankless water heater provides endless hot water for the home.