Page 33 - Green Builder Sept-Oct 2019 Issue

Annual Building Science Roundup 2020 A GRAND SYNERGY

owning a zero energy home. Thrive uses interactive displays and
informative handouts like DOE’s “A Symbol of Excellence” con-
sumer brochure, the DOE ZERH Point of Sale display, the Energy
Star “Better is Better” brochure, the Indoor airPLUS “Breathe Easy”
®
brochure, and information about the solar energy systems. Side-
by-side displays compare Thrive’s energy-efficient features with
standard construction.
The education efforts are often the tipping point when it comes to
a consumer’s home choice, Rectanus notes. “We have received feed-
back from both buyers and realtors about how this demonstration
was the deciding factor in the buying decision,” he says.
“Our homes offer a potentially staggering amount of energy sav-
ings, especially for those moving from older, inefficient homes,”
Rectanus adds. “Whether it’s saving for your children’s college edu-
cation, saving for retirement, or being able to afford a bigger home
or special upgrades, it is important to characterize how those savings
can be put to better use.” GB

KEY FEATURES
DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME PATH: Performance.
WALLS: Double walls; 2-by-4, 24-inch o.c. advance framed; staggered
with space for 9.5-inch R-41 blown fiberglass; sprayer applied sealant;
0.5 inch OSB sheathing; corrugated house wrap; fiber cement and
synthetic stone siding.
ROOF: Ice-and-water shield at roof edge; waterproof underlayment;
metal drip edge; 30-year asphalt shingles.
COURTESY OF THRIVE HOME BUILDERS trusses; sprayer-applied sealant at all top plates.
ATTIC: Vented attic; R-50 blown fiberglass, 14-inch raised heel

FOUNDATION: Basements with perforated vinyl-faced R-19 blanket
insulation on interior of unfinished walls; 4-inch gravel and vapor
barrier under slab.
®
windows; U=0.25, SHGC=0.30.
Shock value. To reduce damage during disaster, Lowry homes include shear WINDOWS: Energy Star double-pane; argon-filled; vinyl-framed
walls and framing, fire-resistant siding and shingles, and roof reinforcement AIR SEALING: 1.77 ACH 50.
to accommodate snow loads and heavy wind resistance. VENTILATION: Continuous exhaust fans.
comfort and health, disaster resilience, less dust indoors, and a quiet HVAC: Central air-source heat pump; HSPF 12.2, SEER 18.9; +97.4
indoor environment,” Rectanus notes. AFUE backup gas furnace; ducts in conditioned space.
Thrive Home Builders has been designing, building and selling HOT WATER: 0.97 EF tankless gas water heater.
high-performance homes for 25 years and is committed to contin- LIGHTING: 100 percent LED; daylighting.
uous training of its staff, vendors, trades and even homeowners, APPLIANCES: Energy Star refrigerator, dishwasher, exhaust fans,
®
according to Rectanus. Thrive recently began conducting weekly ceiling fans.
“Building Science 101” classes, which are taught by in-house staff and SOLAR: 8.68-kW PV.
cover topics like energy efficiency, indoor air quality, construction WATER CONSERVATION: WaterSense fixtures; “smart” hot water
best practices and details of the DOE ZERH program. The training recirc; drought-tolerant plants, drip irrigation.
classes are offered to all employees, and are required for the sales
and construction departments. ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: Internet monitoring of PV production
and energy use.
Thrive spends even more time educating home buyers on the
benefits of zero energy construction. Thrive has set up Building OTHER: EPA Indoor airPLUS, low-VOC paints, low-formaldehyde wood
products. Active radon ventilation system; radon testing prior to
Science Centers at nearly every community where it builds. The closing. Ducts cleaned. Shear walls; reinforced framing and roof.
centers are packed with educational displays on the benefits of Excavation to 30-foot depth to replace high-expansion soils.

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