New Town Builders, the company that uses beetle-killed pine for their framing, opened this net-zero energy home with an announcement yesterday. The company is the first in the area to offer a zero-energy package as a regular, additional option. In other words, if a buyer wants it, the buyer can get a home that generates as much energy as it uses over the course of a year for the right price — in this case, $26,900.
This home, located at 8146 E. 35th Ave. in Denver, achieved a zero HERS score with solar panels, super insulation, and a proprietary double-stud wall. As you can see, the wall has a half-inch gap and 24 inches between the studs to reduce thermal bridging. External walls have a thin layer of spray foam and the rest of the cavity is filled with blown-in cellulose.
During construction, New Town Builders checked the ducts for tightness to ensure that air reaches its destination with 7% or less loss. Also, the home has a high efficiency HVAC system, energy efficient windows, Energy Star appliances, 100% CFL and LED lighting, a tankless water heater, and a continuous whole house energy recovery exhaust fan.
The model home is priced at $424,000, which includes a 9.9 kW solar array. Green elements add about $100 to the mortgage cost, says New Town Builders, but the extra cost is eaten up by $200 in net savings per month due to having having no energy bill.
[+] More about this net-zero energy home in Stapleton.
Credits: New Town Builders.
I’ve got to be honest, that’s a lovely looking house to begin with but all those green energy extras has really ticked all of my boxes. I’d love to live in this house!
If we ignore that extras. Than it looks nice.
I can only dream of owning a bill free house
What’s proprietary about double studded walls? It’s been done for years.
Yeah, I’m not so sure what aspect of the double-stud build could be considered proprietary. Will follow up on this point.
Could it be the 24 inch offset in the studs? I’m not sure what real advantage that would have as in the double-stud wall, the walls are set apart so as to eliminate the thermal bridge.
Maybe the style of flash-and-batt? Who knows, sounds like a “selling point” instead of true building science innovation, but please correct me if I’m wrong!
Sorry all, I read the article more closely. It is flash-and-batt. The 24″ offset is actually a decent idea because they are eliminating the thermal bridge in a flash-and-batt that can reduce whole-wall performance as much as r-10. So excuse my initial uninformed response.
This wall could be a nearly true R28-30 wall depending on thickness. 2-in CCSPF and then 4 in cellulose (or more).
It sounds like a greeat solution for my country’s government housing program and energy saving projects. would you be willing to engage in government projects?
I wish that THIS were the dream house that was being raffled off for the Boys and Girls clubs in Denver. I have been asked to write about that on my blog – nicolettet.wordpress.com – but the house is such a monster, I’m a bit reluctant to do so.
Fantastic house, but I’m not sure I like the colour
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