Clifton View Homes built this 784-square-foot custom home in Oak Harbor, Washington, to the high performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.

A detached garage is one of many air-quality protection features in the EPA Indoor airPLUS-certified home.

Durable fiber cement siding covers the walls of the airtight structure, which is constructed with 6.5-inch graphite-enhanced structural insulated panels (SIPs) and 10.25-inch SIP roof panels. The SIP panels were triple-sealed with spray foam, tape, and mastic, then the walls were wrapped in a highly tear-resistant house wrap that was also taped at the seams, providing even more air barrier protection.

The compact kitchen features advanced-technology appliances for energy and water savings.

All of the home's lighting is equipped with LED bulbs, including the ENERGY STAR ceiling fan.

A single-head ductless mini-split heats the entire home. Mounted above the main entry door, it directs heat throughout the main living area, some of which is absorbed and then redistributed by the insulated concrete floors.

Two inches (R-10) of continuous rigid foam insulation wraps the sides of the stained concrete floor slab and protects the stem walls down to the footings, while a 4-inch (R-20) blanket of rigid foam extends beneath the entire slab.

Structural insulated panels offer a continuous layer of thermal protection and draft resistance around the home. The builder increased the number of fasteners to make the SIP home even more resistant to earthquake damage.

Because all of the structural load is carried by the SIP roof and wall panels, no trusses are needed, allowing the home to have vaulted ceilings and open interiors throughout.

The 7.83-kW roof-mounted solar panels provide enough power to run the home and to charge two electric vehicles.