November 2024 Zero Energy Ready Homes Newsletter

The Blazing the Trail award went to Daniel Colombini for his home in Ossining, New York. The project was a combination of old and new, using innovative strategies and technologies, along with recycled materials. The super-insulated envelope was achieved with Larsen trusses made from recycled materials and combined with advanced mechanical systems such as a heat pump water heater and energy recovery ventilator, along with 13.2 kW of solar panels and two storage batteries to achieve an Energy Rating Index (ERI) score of -9. 

“The home's innovative characteristics extend to climate resiliency as well as energy performance. In the garage, two ESS batteries provide both backup power and demand reduction capabilities. Standby power is important with increasing quantities of extreme weather events that often interrupt utility power in the area.”- Builder

Addison Homes in Greer, South Carolina, has been a leader in their market since 2015 and leverages the message of the ZERH program company wide. From YouTube, LinkedIn, their website, and company publicity efforts, Addison educates the public on the benefits of the ZERH home. Addison also educates contractors and code officials on innovative technologies and high-performance homes. Showing their commitment to innovation and market transformation, Addison teamed with manufacturers to pilot new products such as a compact duct system in their 2024 award-winning home.

“Our offering of homes that focus on health and indoor air quality has at least given that choice to the market. A few other builders have begun exploring some of the standard practices we offer. We have noticed that vendors and suppliers are now sending people our way, which means that word has spread within the builder's market.”- Builder

This year’s Decarbon Copy award goes to the team of Powerhouse Designs and TC Legend Homes from Bellingham, Washington. This project was selected for being both energy-efficient and carbon-conscious. The use of structurally insulated panels (SIPs) for the walls, triple pane windows, and 0.45 ACH50 airtightness, along with technologies such as sensor-controlled heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) make this a super-efficient and resilient home. When paired with 17.01 kW PV array and battery backup, this decreases the operational carbon emissions of this home. This project also focused on embodied carbon, evaluating material choices and how to mitigate the carbon emissions contributed when making and moving these materials. The Material Carbon Index of this home was 23% lower than a standard home by this builder.   

“The Lynden Powerhouse project was the first building that Powerhouse Designs focused on embodied carbon during the design and finish selections phases. During the design and budgeting processes, the team worked to inform the homeowners of both cost and emissions implications.”- Builder

Howard Building Science from Granite Falls, North Carolina, was selected as the winner of the 2024 Off-the-Shelf award. During construction, this project optimized material and labor resources to deliver high performance at low cost. This included using in-house labor to quickly construct a small-footprint home. A key to this was a unique structural insulated panel system with a simple interlock cam-locks, pre-framed openings, and unique single-piece corners for a stronger and much more energy-efficient structure. This project is one of a series of homes that prove high-performance can be built and sold at a low price point, delivering more attainable housing for local residents – specifically first-time homebuyers.

“These are above-code, all-electric homes with high-efficiency inverter heat pumps for space conditioning, heat pump water heaters, ventless heat pump dryers, and induction ranges. With no wood burning or gas appliances, we have no concerns about carbon monoxide or other byproducts of combustion.”- Builder

The winner of more HIA awards than any builder in program history is Thrive Home Builders, who earned the 2024 Total Package award for their project that scored the highest across all the award categories listed above. This net-positive, all-electric home includes rooftop solar to reduce operational carbon emissions. The company is working with technology from the University of Denver to quantify and offset the embodied carbon of Thrive-built homes.  This home uses off-the-shelf materials such as widely available double-paned windows and blown-in insulation, as well as leveraging innovative technologies with cold climate heat pumps and an aerosolized air sealant approach.  In addition, Thrive has long been a leader in the high-performance housing market with their position having built the most ZERH certified homes in Colorado and the third most nationally 

“The E-PWR all-electric homes collection combines modern features and energy efficiency with a focus on homeowner comfort and well-being. Thrive is dedicated to integrating its innovative building practice within the community, making these homes affordable and enhancing the overall lifestyle.” - Builder

After becoming the first national production builder to commit to 100% ZERH-certified homes across all divisions by 2025, it didn’t take long for Beazer Homes to make some noise within the program. With 1,234 certified ZERH homes in the calendar year, Beazer Homes won the 2024 Most Certified Homes award. In late October, Beazer hosted at a ZERH community in Parkville, Maryland, where they demonstrated the behind-the-wall building science and innovation of Zero Energy Ready Homes to media, realtors, and industry stakeholders. Carolyn Snyder, DOE’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Buildings and Industry, spoke at the event highlighting Beazer’s commitment and leadership and the importance of partnerships and collaboration between government, builders, and innovators.

“Beazer, in making its commitment to ensuring that by the end of 2025, every home we build will meet the requirements of the Zero Energy Ready Home program, changed our course of business. Beazer homes are quickly approaching the most efficient levels of construction possible utilizing conventional building materials and practices.”- Builder