DOE Tour of Zero: Regimenta Lane by Insulsteel Building Enclosures
Photos
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Insulsteel Building Enclosures built this 2,967-square-foot home on Johns Island, South Carolina, to the performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
Photo courtesy of Insulsteel
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The house is designed to save $1,650 in energy costs compared to a home built to the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code.
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The house is built on piers to increase resistance to floods. Spray foam insulates and air-seals the underside of the floor above the garages and storage areas.
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Solar energy provides $1,200 in energy cost savings per year.
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Solar thermal panels on the home’s east- and south-facing roof slopes provide most of the heat for the home’s two 40-gallon hot water storage tanks. Solar electric panels installed on the roof have a production capacity of 6.0 kW. Although tied to the grid, they also keep a battery charged to provide power to critical needs in case of a power outage.
Photo courtesy of Insulsteel
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Ultra-efficient triple-paned windows have low-emissivity coatings on three surfaces for exceptional heat blocking; they perform at least 50% better than a standard window.
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All can lights are equipped with ultra-efficient light emitting diodes (LEDs).
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The refrigerator and dishwasher are ENERGY STAR certified.
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The quartz countertops are manufactured from recycled materials.
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The home meets the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Indoor airPLUS certification including the use of wood products, primer, paint, cabinets, and flooring that release few or no air contaminants.
Photo courtesy of Insulsteel
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The builder installed water-saving faucets, showers, and toilets that carry the EPA WaterSense label.
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The high-performance home’s wall and roof are constructed from panels made of expanded polystyrene foam that is molded with galvanized steel C-channel reinforcements.
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The 5.5-inch-thick expanded polystyrene and steel walls are resistant to moisture, mold, and pests and provide an insulation value of R-33.
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The expanded polystyrene and steel wall panels are tied to the pier foundation with hurricane straps to create a structure that is designed to withstand 200 mph winds.
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The high-efficiency heat pump’s air handler and main trunk ducts are located in the conditioned attic. Smaller diameter supply ducts carry the conditioned air through open-web floor joists to the rooms below. The high-velocity ducts promote air mixing and decrease temperature stratification.
Photo courtesy of Insulsteel
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An ultra-efficient, variable-speed, inverter-type heat pump delivers heating and cooling to the home. Fresh, filtered outside air is brought into the home through an automatically controlled vent and distributed through the heating and cooling ducts. Exhaust fans in the bathrooms and kitchen remove stale air from the home.