Project Team

Christian Belden's picture

BE Boston 19 Registrants BE Boston 20 Registrants

Christian Belden's picture

BE Boston 19 Registrants BE Boston 20 Registrants

Other Team Member

Other Team Members

Church Community Housing Corporation, Northeast Collaborative Architects, NPTRE (Newport Renewables), UG Nasons HVAC, FOARD Panels, Bodington Plumbing, Ecologic Insulation, Foster Electric

Ratings, Awards and Recognition

Ratings:

The house will receive a HERS rating upon completion as a result of it's enrollment in the Energy Star Certification program. Initial modeling showed a HERS of 4 - before installation of the larger PV array and higher density spray foam in the walls. The house is expected to achieve a negative HERS rating (net energy exporter) upon completion.

HERS Index::
4

This is the first of two Net Zero houses built on spec by Church Community Housing in the market rate portion of a mixed-income, mixed-use, arts and agricultural community called Sandywoods Farm.  The development includes 50 Affordable apartments in single family and duplex buildings and 17 unsibsidized market rate lots for sale.  The two Net Zero spec houses have been built in the hope that it will stimulate the sale and development of the other lots and that it will set a precedent for energy efficient home construction that will be followed by the purchasers of those lots.  Furthermore, the Town of Tiverton where Sandywoods Farm is located has a relatively high property tax rate relative to the surrounding communities.  It is hoped that the Net Zero houses would compete favorably with spec houses for sale in those communities by offsetting the higher taxes with low/no utility costs.  Lastly, Church Community Housing has long been dedicated to increased energy efficiency, renewable energy development and sustainable and healthy building materials and practices.  The construction of these Net Zero houses was simply the next step in a long road of ever increasing residential construction performance. The houses stats are:  R-60 SIP Roof, R-50 .8 lb open cell spray foam 12" double stud walls, R-15 closed cell spray foam under the basement slab, R-20 closed cell spray foam on interior of basement walls, R-50 open cell spray foam in rim joist.  Triple glazed, low-E, Krypton gas filled windows and sliding glass door achieving .20 or better U-value.  Super high efficiency "hyper heat" Fujitsu mini-split HVAC system: one floor mounted 15,000 btu unit on first floor, one compact ducted 12,000 btu unit on 2nd floor.  Less than 1 ACH @ 50 Pascals.  Panasonic programable bath fans in both bathrooms set to run continuously based on results of blower door test to ensure healthy indoor air quality.  Tier II vapor retarder interior primer and gasketed electrical boxes to prevent vapor drive through wall assembly.  Electric heat pump hot water tank for domestic hot water.  9kw PV array atop south facing roof. 

Quick Facts

General

Location Tiverton, Rhode Island
Building Type single-family residence
Project Type Zero Energy
Basis of Performance Claim Modeled
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2.0
Conditioned Floor Area 1,372 sq ft
Total Cost of Project $368,059

Energy Summary

Energy Data Type Modeled
Renewable Energy System Type(s) Photovoltaics
Ratings

The house will receive a HERS rating upon completion as a result of it's enrollment in the Energy Star Certification program. Initial modeling showed a HERS of 4 - before installation of the larger PV array and higher density spray foam in the walls. The house is expected to achieve a negative HERS rating (net energy exporter) upon completion.

HERS Index 4
Annual renewable energy generated 10,890 kWh/year

Envelope and Mechanicals

Subslab assembly

R20 closed cell spray foam sprayed on top of 3/4 stone under concrete basement floor slab.

Foundation wall assembly

closed cell foam sprayed to R20 on inside of foundation walls

Above grade wall assembly

12" double stud walls filled with open cell spray foam insulation.

Door Assembly

Sliding glass door is from same Harvey Tribute line with same spec's as windows. Entry doors are Therma-Tru Classic Craft models

Air Changes per hour, ACH50 1.00 ACH50