DOE Tour of Zero: The Ridgeview Farms by Healthy Efficient Homes
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This home in Spirit Lake, Iowa, by Healthy Efficient Homes is certified as a U.S. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home that will save its owners over $5,000 a year in energy costs compared to a similar minimum-code home.
Photo courtesy of Healthy Efficient Homes
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The home takes advantage of natural comfort orientation along with a simple roof design to provide ample space for the 4 kW solar electric system and solar hot water system with two solar panels.
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The home has large, south-facing, high-efficiency windows with invisible coatings that block unwanted heat gain in summer and retain inside heat in winter.
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High-efficiency components include an ENERGY STAR-rated refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer, and ceiling fans that save energy and in some cases water, as well.
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Natural daylighting is coupled with advanced solid-state lighting technology to reduce energy use in the home — 90% of the home’s electric lighting is LED-based.
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Low-/no-VOC adhesives, paints, and finishes helped the home earn an Indoor airPLUS certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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High-efficiency ENERGY STAR-certified windows allow in daylighting but block unwanted solar heat gain in summer.
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Water-saving fixtures that are used throughout the home help earn a WaterSense certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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A high-efficiency ductless heat pump with three indoor air handler units provides cooling and heating, which is supplemented by radiant floor heating.
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High-efficiency wall framing uses less lumber and allows more room in the walls for insulation.
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Ultra-efficient wall insulation starts with spraying 1.5 inches of closed-cell spray foam in the wall cavities to seal the 2-by-6 studs to the wall sheathing as part of whole-house draft barrier protection. The walls are then filled with blown-in fiberglass and an additional 1 inch of exterior rigid foam insulation for a continuous thermal blanket with a total wall insulation value of R-31.
Photo courtesy of Healthy Efficient Homes
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Energy-saving attic perimeter insulation is made possible with raised heel energy trusses that lift the roof eave so full-depth insulation can be installed all the way to the edge. This includes spray foam over the top plates plus a full 16 inches of blown fiberglass that covers the entire attic floor.
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The solar electric system includes an inverter that converts DC power from the solar panels to AC power for the home. The output from the solar electric system can cut utility bills to nearly zero in sunny seasons.
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Two solar hot water tanks provide 90% of the home’s hot water needs.
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The ultra-efficient foundation wall system uses insulated concrete form (ICF) construction where concrete is poured in blocks made of rigid foam insulation with added steel reinforcing bar.
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The combination of spray foam and blown fiberglass inside the walls and rigid foam on the exterior creates a high-performance wall insulation system providing enhanced comfort and quiet.
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The insulated concrete form (ICF) foundation wall construction and rigid foam sheathing on above-grade walls form a continuous exterior thermal blanket.
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Thanks to a high-performance insulation system, comprehensive draft protection, and high-efficiency comfort equipment, appliances, and lighting, this home achieves a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 28, far less than the HERS 100 score typical of new home construction.