Awarded to the builder whose innovative approach to decarbonization in Zero Energy Ready Homes produces the most replicability and predictability in results.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office
The Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program kicked off in October by honoring some of the leading builder partners in the program at the Housing Innovation Awards (HIA), held at the Energy and Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) High-Performance Home Builder Summit. The 2024 awards recognized 24 award-winning projects from across the country. In addition, six grand winners were announced and recognized for their projects and leadership in supporting DOE’s overarching goals .
DeCarbon Copy
Awarded to the builder whose innovative approach to decarbonization in Zero Energy Ready Homes produces the most replicability and predictability in results.
Decarbon Copy
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
Lynden Powerhouse
- Project Address: Lynden, WA
- Conditioned Square Footage: 2,391 sqft
- Number of Bedrooms: 5 Beds
- Number of Bathrooms: 5.0 Baths
- Number of Floors Above Grade: 2 Floors Above Grade
- Home Type: Custom
- Climate Zone Temperature: Mixed
- Climate Zone Humidity: Marine
WITH PV
- HERS Index with PV: -24 HERS
- Average Monthly Energy Bill PV: $8
- Annual Energy Cost Savings with PV: $3,700
- 30 Year Savings with PV: $155,600
- Built By: TC Legend Homes LLC
Profile | Website
KEY FEATURES
- Air-to-water heat pumpAll-electric home
- Energy / Heat recovery ventilator
- Electric Vehicle Charger Installed or Wired for Charger
- Heat pump water heater
- Insulated concrete form (ICF) walls and/or foundation
- PhotovoltaicsBattery storage
- Sensor controls for better indoor air quality
- Structural insulated panel (SIP) walls or walls and roof
- Triple-pane windows
- Unvented insulated attic
- ACH 50 < 2.5 or CFM50/SF of enclosure ≤ 0.25
- Hot Water Recirculation Pump
SEE THE POSTER
Updated Program Documents
DOE releases updated program documents annually for the Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program that incorporate changes and clarifications to program requirements, many of which result from dialogue with the program’s builders and raters. The updated program Versions/Revisions will be required for projects with permit dates on or after January 1, 2025. The ZERH program has also released Policy Record documents for both the Single Family and Multifamily programs, which detail the major updates included in these revised documents and the rationale behind the changes. A webinar highlighting these changes and their impact on program compliance is available here.
