Third-party testing is a requirement of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Program. The program also requires every home to be certified to ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Version 3.0 and the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency’s Indoor airPLUS program. Each home must meet the hot water distribution requirements of the EPA’s WaterSense program and the insulation requirements of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code. The program also requires homes to have solar electric panels installed or at a minimum to have the conduit and electrical panel space in place for future PV installation.

In addition to meeting the host of certifications required by the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program, the home was also certified through the regional EarthCraft House program, at their platinum level.

Imery’s attention to quality paid off. The home achieved a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 41 without photovoltaic (PV) panels installed and an essentially net zero HERS score of 6 when the 6.3-kW PV system is installed. With all of the efficiency measures installed in the 2,194 ft2 1-story home, the home owner is expected to cut nearly $1,300 a year in energy costs compared to calculated energy costs for a home built to the 2009 IECC. When the PV is added, annual energy savings go up to an estimated $1,900 per year, while monthly energy bills drop to an average of about $17/month.

Mid 400’s 2,100 sf