Custom New Homes, Net Zero & Positive Energy Homes

High Performance Colonial

This new four-bedroom home looks very much like a typical center-hall colonial. Visitors to the house are unlikely to notice anything remarkable other than the quality finishes and the wonderful natural lighting from the large windows. However, this house is built very differently from a similar-looking house that meets code minimums. One of the owners’ primary goals for the home was net zero performance so every aspect of the thermal envelope, mechanical and renewable energy systems has been upgraded to incorporate cutting-edge building science strategies. Final HERS score of “0” confirms that the home has achieved a net zero rating.

Type: New Construction, Custom Green Home

Special Features

Open concept family/dining/kitchen area
Custom millwork in several rooms

Green Building Approaches

Rear of house faces solar south to capture winter heat
12.6kw PV panels should generate more energy than is used over the course of a full year
Home energy Rating Scored (HERS) score of -1, denoting net zero performance.
8” of EPS rigid foam board insulation under the slab – R34
2” of continuous closed-cell (low GWP) spray foam applied to basement walls – R14
5.5” of dense-pack cellulose between 2×4 studs on interior face of basement walls – R20
12” thick double wall framing to practically eliminate thermal bridging
2” of closed-cell spray foam applied to interior face of exterior wall sheathing – R14
9.5” of dense-pack cellulose insulation completes exterior wall insulation – R32
Attic floor is insulated with 24” of dense-pack cellulose – R86
Acrylic sheathing tapes used to achieve exceptional air-tightness of 0.32ACH50
European triple-glazed uPVC windows with u-values of 0.13 (roughly R-8)
Ducted air-source heat pump system heats and cools the entire house
Heat pump water heater extracts heat from interior air
Hot water recirculation activated by a motion sensor provides quick HW delivery
Energy recovery ventilation has separate small diameter duct distribution system
Fiber cement siding installed over a ¾” drainage plane
Exterior trim made from recycled fly ash and rated for ground contact
100% LED lighting
Low-flow water fixtures throughout