DOE Tour of Zero: The Preserve by Greenhill Contracting
Photos
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This Greenhill Contracting U.S. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home has estimated utility bill savings of $1,900 a year without solar panels or $3,000 a year when solar panels are added.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
2/18
Greenhill Contracting Inc. of Esopus, New York, built this community of certified DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes in upstate New York.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
3/18
Advanced lighting technology is used throughout the home with LED lamps in 80% of the fixtures and CFLs in the remaining 20%.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
4/18
The home’s high-efficiency appliances include an ENERGY STAR-labeled refrigerator, clothes washer, and dishwasher.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
5/18
High-efficiency ENERGY STAR ceiling fans reduce cooling costs and noise.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
6/18
The ultra-efficient windows feature three layers of glass; anti-glare, heat-retaining coatings; and an insulating argon fill.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
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Low-VOC paints and finishes help provide a healthful environment while high-efficiency ceiling fans provide cooling air movement.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
8/18
A professionally installed balanced fresh air system called a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) is installed in this airtight home. The HRV brings in fresh filtered outside air while continuously exchanging heat with stale air removed from the kitchen, laundry, and bathrooms.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
9/18
Water-saving EPA WaterSense-rated faucets inside and drought-tolerant landscaping outside ensure low water bills.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
10/18
On-demand hot water plumbing speeds hot water to fixtures with minimal waste. In addition, the ultra-efficient geo heat pump provides combustion-free water heating and space heating and cooling.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
11/18
Insulated concrete form (ICF) construction provides a thermal blanket of quiet comfort and comprehensive draft protection.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
12/18
ICF construction provides a very durable structure that can withstand severe winter weather and other natural disasters.
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13/18
Advanced ICF wall technology can better withstand disaster risks such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and pests.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
14/18
The professionally installed interior comfort delivery system includes ducts within conditioned space under the spray-foam insulated roof deck.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
15/18
Three inches of closed-cell spray foam is applied directly onto the ground before pouring the slab, creating an R-20 layer of high-efficiency foundation insulation.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
16/18
The ultra-efficient wall insulation system utilizes 11-inch ICF block construction consisting of two sheets of rigid foam held together by plastic spacers and reinforced with steel rebar to form a hollow wall that is filled with concrete. A fully cured system results in a remarkably airtight, sturdy structure.
Photo courtesy of Greenhill Contracting
"The major perk of a lifetime of zero energy use and cost."
"We wanted to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to living more sustainably. The benefits that followed include the major perk of a lifetime of zero energy use and cost. In terms of health benefits … neither Al or I got sick this winter, and our house plants are flourishing. It is extremely comfortable … The quality of construction, design, and layout of our home is exceptional. It is a dream come true."
– Homeowners Chrissy and Al
