Page 19 - Green Builder Magazine Sept-Oct 2021

DOE Annual Building Science Roundup
SILVER LININGS

A 50-gallon gas water heater with an and ventilation, and fewer contaminants
0.88 efficiency factor provides domestic in the home.
hot water and in-floor heating for the Amaris opts for low-volatile organic
basement slab. Plumbing fixtures are all compound (VOC) paints, stains and
EPA WaterSense labeled low-flow variet- adhesives to help keep contaminants out
ies. The main plumbing loop is 0.75-inch of the house. A motion-sensor-controlled
cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) and all exhaust fan was installed in the garage to
of the branch lines are half-inch PEX. A remove pollutants. An air quality sensor
recirculation pump speeds hot water to was installed to monitor indoor air quality.
distant fixtures for shorter wait times. Pruban also added several aging-in-
Energy Star appliances and 100 percent place features, such as wider doors and
LED lighting add to the energy savings. hallways, lever-style door handles, a zero-
Key lighting areas such as the exterior, barrier shower in the master, and below-
great room, entertainment room, office counter drawers and microwaves for easy
and master bedroom have smart Wi-Fi wheelchair access.
lighting; they are also smart phone con- The home uses water-saving EPA
trollable. Low-profile LED ceiling lights WaterSense-rated irrigation and drought-
were selected so that no recessed cans had resistant landscaping. The yard was land-
to be installed in the ceiling. scaped with a 1,650-square-foot rain gar-
den in the front yard south of the drive-
FRINGE BENEFITS way. The garden was designed, guttered
The home meets all of the clean air and and graded to accept 100 percent of the
moisture management requirements of garage roof rain water and 50 percent of
the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS program (itself the house roof rain water, plus any runoff
a DOE ZERH requirement); this equates from the driveway approach, landing and
to lower indoor humidity, better filtration turnaround.

TIGHT ENVELOPE.
Spray foam and
acoustic sealant give
the home 0.64 ACH
50 performance.

INSULATED FOUNDATION.
R-33 walls include water drainage.
COURTESY OF AMARIS HOMES

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