DOE Tour of Zero: Mad River Glen House by PepperTree Homes
Photos
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PepperTree Homes built this 3,750-square-foot home in Waitsfield, Vermont, to the performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
Photo courtesy of PepperTree Homes
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This home is expected to save $4,038 per year in energy costs. It has a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 18—a typical new home built to code achieves a HERS of 80 to 100.
Photo courtesy of PepperTree Homes
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The home’s triple-pane windows have special low-emissivity coatings on three layers to help block heat transmission, keeping heat out of the house on sunny summer days and in on winter days.
Photo courtesy of PepperTree Homes
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The home is lit using advanced technology LED lighting for increased energy savings.
Photo courtesy of PepperTree Homes
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For increased energy savings, the home has an ENERGY STAR-rated refrigerator, dishwasher, and clothes washer.
Photo courtesy of PepperTree Homes
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This home uses low- or no-VOC paints and finishes, which contributes to healthier indoor air quality.
Photo courtesy of PepperTree Homes
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For increased water savings, all of the home’s water fixtures and faucets are low-flow.
Photo courtesy of PepperTree Homes
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Two heat recovery ventilators provide fresh, filtered air throughout the home. The HRVs incorporate heat exchangers that transfer heat from the warmer air stream to the cooler air stream, helping to keep warmth in the home in the winter and out of the home in the summer.
Photo courtesy of PepperTree Homes
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This home’s finished, conditioned basement provides extra living and storage space for the homeowners.
Photo courtesy of PepperTree Homes
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The home’s hot water is provided by a solar hot water system. If the solar water heater cannot keep up with the home’s hot water needs, hot water is provided using a tankless hot water heater fueled by propane.
Photo courtesy of PepperTree Homes
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Insulated concrete forms comprise the daylight basement foundation walls, while over a visquene vapor barrier, the builder laid 6 inches of rigid foam insulation to wrap the slab in a continuous blanket of insulation.
Photo courtesy of PepperTree Homes
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The home’s walls are constructed of 8-inch, R-35 structural insulated panels (SIPs) and the roof is constructed of 12-inch R-56 SIPS for continuous draft-free thermal protection.
Photo courtesy of PepperTree Homes
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Deep overhangs protect the walls of this cold-climate home.
Photo courtesy of PepperTree Homes
“This is among one of the most fun and best experiences of my life.”
“I simply show people what is possible, and let my customers make the responsible decisions. He [the homeowner] always selected the most cutting-edge option, bringing this house to a level probably never seen before. With almost 83% of the total annual heat requirement coming from passive solar gains, and most of the remainder being supplied by the solar hot water system ... this is a true zero-energy home, with an annual energy cost of -$51.”
– Ted Clifton, designer, Zero Energy Home Plans
