DOE Tour of Zero: The 2016 New American Home by Element Design Build
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Element Design Build constructed this 6,541-square-foot show home in Henderson, Nevada, to the performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
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The home was constructed in partnership with the National Association of Home Builders as The New American Home for 2016.
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The two-story slab-on-grade construction incorporates vaulted double-height second-story ceilings and interior courtyards to flood interior spaces with natural light.
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Despite the large amounts of glazing the home still achieved a measured whole-house air-tightness of 2.69 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals (ACH 50), which is well below the code-required 7 ACH 50.
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Deep overhangs provide numerous areas for shaded outdoor seating in this hot-dry climate home.
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All of the interior and exterior light fixtures use energy-efficient light emitting diode (LED) lamps.
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A heat recovery ventilator provides filtered conditioned fresh air throughout the home while exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms provide spot exhaust ventilation.
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The home meets the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Indoor airPLUS certification including the use of structural wood products, primer, paint, cabinets, and flooring that emit no or few air contaminants.
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The home was equipped with ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, including the dishwasher, refrigerator, and clothes washer for energy and water savings.
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Advanced lighting technology with LED-based fixtures cuts energy use and reduces heat output.
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The home automation system offers homeowners secure, cloud-based remote access to control their home’s lighting, climate, shades, entertainment, and security from a single interface.
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Like all DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes, the New American Home meets the indoor air quality standards of the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS program, which promotes clean indoor air.
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The Element Design Build team worked with their building partners to employ a systems-engineering approach that incorporates energy- and material-saving strategies from design through construction for increased efficiencies throughout the home.
High-efficiency natural gas-fired tankless water heaters provide endless hot water.
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The home’s heating and cooling comfort system consists of air source heat pumps with a cooling efficiency of 19 SEER, far above the minimum federal requirement of 13 SEER. The units’ variable-speed outdoor compressors add efficiency and quietness. The air handlers and the air distribution system are located entirely within the home’s conditioned space.
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The home demonstrated the capabilities of an integrated home automation system that enables homeowners to control each area of the home for lighting, climate, window shades, entertainment, and security.
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Blown fiberglass insulation packs the wall cavities providing an R-31 thermal blanket to help maintain comfort in this home.
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Exterior rigid foam insulation is part of a continuous thermal blanket and comprehensive draft protection.
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The home was equipped with a 19.21-kW photovoltaic electric generation system.