Page 41 - Green Builder Sept-Oct 2020 Issue
P. 41
DOE Annual Building Science Roundup A BETTER WAY
tested for overall air leakage and had an air contractual agreements. These include
leakage rating of only . air changes per specific requirements related to DOE’s
hour at Pascals pressure di erence. ZERH program, Energy Star Version , and KEY FEATURES
Hot water is supplied by a . eciency the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS and WaterSense
factor (EF) tankless gas water heater. The programs. Thrive’s internal quality assurance WALLS: Double wall of two 2-by-4, 24-inch on-
water heater is plumbed with a recirculation program, FTQ , assures continuous center advanced framed walls with 2.5-inch
loop, which uses “intelligent” technology that improvement processes and procedures gap. R-41 total: 1/2-inch drywall, 9.5-inch blown
fiberglass, 7⁄16-inch OSB sheathing, house wrap,
recognizes usage patterns to have hot water across all company departments, including brick veneer and fiber cement siding.
ready for delivery during high use periods, construction, purchasing, architecture,
ROOF: Gable roof; 7⁄16-inch APA-rated sheathing,
thus reducing wait times and wasted water. warranty, and vendor-partner relations. synthetic underlayment, 40-mil self-adhering
Inside, Environmental Protection Agency Thrive also focuses on educating home bituminous ice-and-water membrane, 30-year
(EPA) WaterSense-labeled plumbing xtures buyers on the benefits of zero energy asphalt shingles.
provide water savings, while outside, the construction. The company has set up ATTIC: Vented attic, R-49 batt in cathedral and
homes are landscaped with drought-tolerant, building science centers in nearly every R-50 blown fiberglass on flat ceilings, 14-inch
climate-specic plants that are irrigated with community it serves, to explain the energy raised heel trusses.
ground-level drip irrigation to minimize eciency and health benets of its homes. FOUNDATION: Insulated basement, 1⁄2-inch drywall,
evaporation and reduce overall water usage. The builder also o ers “meet your neighbor” R-15 fiberglass batt, 8-inch concrete.
These features helped the home to achieve nights, where new homeowners have a WINDOWS: Double-pane, argon-filled, low-e2,
vinyl frames, U=0.25, SHGC=0.20.
Energy savers. LED lighting, AIR SEALING: 1.82 ACH 50; flexible top plate
Energy Star appliances, and drywall gasket; spray foam at rim joists.
EPA WaterSense-labeled VENTILATION: ERV MERV 8 filter, HVAC MERV 16
fixtures increase overall filter; smart indoor air quality monitors.
energy savings, while an HVAC: Central air-source heat pump, 12.5 HSPF,
active, smart radon sensor 18 SEER; gas furnace backup, 0.95
helps ensure cleaner indoor
air. AFUE; METAL DUCTS IN CONDITIONED SPACE.
CREDIT: COURTESY OF THRIVE HOME BUILDERS HOT WATER: Gas tankless, .96 EF, pushbutton
recirculation pump.
LIGHTING: 100 percent LED, transom windows,
daylighting.
APPLIANCES: ENERGY STAR refrigerator, dishwasher,
front load washer, clothes washer, bath fans.
SOLAR: 9.92-kW PV system, 7-kW battery.
WATER CONSERVATION: EPA WaterSense fixtures
and toilets, drought-resistant landscaping.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: Smart thermostat,
internet-enabled energy monitoring.
OTHER: KCMA cabinets, GREENGUARD gold-
certified flooring, paint; active radon system.
The exterior wall is a double wall consisting of
two 2-by-4, 24-inch on-center advanced-framed
walls with a 2.5-inch gap between, creating a 9.5-
inch cavity that was densely packed with blown
fiberglass to provide a continuous R-41 layer of
thermal protection around the home.
a percent reduction in water use and meet chance to learn more about their high- Customer service coordinators follow up
all of the requirements for certication to performance homes, while meeting their with home buyers at hours, two weeks,
the EPA WaterSense home program. new neighbors. days, and months after closing to address
Thrive Home Builders also provides any issues. Thrive implemented an online
EDUCATION IS KEY homeowners with a one-year limited punch list program that provides buyers
Project specications, including installation warranty that includes a -day and with an easy way to submit their warranty
and inspection procedures, and specific -month warranty review and emergency requests, allowing Thrive to reach out to
scopes of work for each trade, are part of care as needed. homeowners with maintenance reminders.
www.greenbuildermedia.com September/October 2020 GREEN BUILDER 39
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