Amaris Homes built this 3,716-square-foot home in Apple Valley, Minnesota, to the performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
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To water the lawn, rainwater is collected in a 2,000-gallon underground cistern.
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The builder took advantage of the rear-facing slope with a daylight basement design that provides more living space on a smaller footprint.
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Careful site grading and downspouts direct storm water runoff away from the home.
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Covered porches and deep overhangs provide protection from summer heat gain and winter storms for this cold-climate home.
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All paints, coatings, and adhesives are certified as no- or low-VOC emitting.
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The home’s high-efficiency ENERGY STAR refrigerator and dishwasher and advanced technology LED lighting contribute to energy and water savings throughout the home.
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The vaulted ceilings are insulated with 2 inches of closed–cell spray foam plus blown cellulose for a thick blanket of thermal protection to help keep this loft space warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
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The high-efficiency comfort system includes a 98% efficient gas furnace and a high-efficiency air-source heat pump. A heat recovery ventilator provides fresh air to the home.
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The concrete basement walls and floor are wrapped in a thermal blanket of R-10 rigid foam insulation.
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High-density spray foam blankets the inside of the wall cavities with an air-sealing and insulating layer, while a continuous layer of rigid foam sheathing wraps the outside of the walls, providing a total wall insulation value of R-25.
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This 2,000-gallon rainwater cistern will provide nearly 70% of the home’s irrigation water.