DOE Tour of Zero: Revive North Star Plan by Philgreen Construction
Photos
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Philgreen Construction built this 1,770-square-foot home in Fort Collins, Colorado, to the performance criteria of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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This home’s 8.56-kW solar electric system and energy-efficient construction give it a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of -9, meaning the home will produce more energy than it consumes, saving its homeowners $2,070 a year in energy costs compared to a standard new home built to code, which would have a HERS of roughly 80 to 100.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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Two ENERGY STAR-rated ceiling fans are installed to help the home feel comfortable while using less air conditioning.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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Low-VOC paints, finishes, and cabinets help this home earn a EPA Indoor airPLUS certification.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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For additional energy savings, nearly all of this home’s lighting is supplied by advanced technology LEDs.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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An ENERGY STAR-rated refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer are installed to reduce energy and water use.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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The home’s advanced comfort system includes a ground source heat pump that provides energy-efficient heating and cooling.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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In the home’s bathrooms, dual-flush toilets and EPA WaterSense-rated plumbing are installed to conserve water.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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To reduce heat loss through the windows, this home has energy-efficient double-paned windows.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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This home’s solar electric system generates more than $2,000 per year for the homeowner.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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A thick R-50 layer of open-cell spray foam blankets the ceiling of the unvented attic, providing a protected location for the home’s HVAC equipment and 50-gallon hot water heater, which gets water preheated by the ground-source heat pump.
Photo courtesy of Philgreen Construction
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The home’s exterior 2-by-6 walls are filled with closed-cell spray foam then covered with insulated sheathing with taped seams to serve as an air and water barrier beneath the wood siding.