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Norwalk Net Zero

    • Jan Degenshein built this 3,503-square-foot custom home in Norwalk, Connecticut, to the high performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
    • The 12-kW PV panel array will help this home achieve net zero energy usage and is expected to save the homeowners more than $5,000 per year in utility costs.
    • The simple gable roof was insulated below the roof deck with 2.5 inches of closed-cell polyicynene and 3.5 inches of mineral wool insulation.
    • ENERGY STAR appliances, LED lighting, and water-saving plumbing fixtures add to energy and water savings in the efficient home.
    • The stained concrete floors provide a water-resistant durable surface and can serve as thermal mass for beneficial wintertime passive solar heat gain.
    • Low-flow and EPA WaterSense-rated fixtures help conserve water while all plumbing pipes are fully insulated to retain heat. A motion sensor-activated recirculation pump speeds hot water to the tap when needed.
    • The concrete block foundation wall is insulated on the exterior with 2 inches of rigid XPS foam.
    • The coated insulated sheathing is taped at all seams to serve as both an air barrier and weather-resistant barrier.
    • The home is equipped with a high-efficiency, variable-speed, multiducted, minisplit heat pump with a SEER of 15.8 and an EER of 11.3. The ducts are wrapped with insulation and air-sealed with an aerosol sealant process.
    • Hot water is provided by an 84-gallon, high-efficiency heat pump water heater that is centrally located in the first-floor utility room. Motion-sensors trigger a recirculation pump for quick delivery of hot water to further fixtures.

      Norwalk Net Zero

      Project Address

      Norwalk, CT

      Conditioned Square Footage
      3,503 sqft
      Number of Bedrooms
      3 Beds
      Number of Bathrooms
      2.5 Baths
      Number of Floors Above Grade
      2 Floors Above Grade
      Home Type
      Custom
      Climate Zone Temperature
      Cold
      Climate Zone Humidity
      Humid

      With PV

      HERS Index with PV
      -1HERS (PV)
      Average Monthly Energy Bill PV
      $9Average Monthly Energy Bill (PV)
      Annual Energy Cost Savings with PV
      $5,250Annual Energy Cost Savings (PV)
      30 Year Savings with PV
      $231,00030 Year Savings (PV)

      Jan Degenshein

      ZERO

      HIA Year
      HIA Status
      Honorable Mention

      Learn More

      Key Features

      Key Features
      All-electric home Cold-climate heat pump Compact (core) plumbing design Energy / Heat recovery ventilator Heat pump water heater High-efficiency variable-speed heat pump Photovoltaics Unvented insulated attic ACH 50 < 2.5 or CFM50/SF of enclosure ≤ 0.25 Hot Water Recirculation Pump

      Testimonials

      Video Testimonial
      Home owner (or occupant) Testimony
      The concept of virtually zero energy bills, when confronted with a late-life fixed income, is a great incentive. Avoiding the dollar and emotional costs of a forced late-in-life move is priceless. As the winner of the 2017 Connecticut Zero Energy Challenge for lowest cost per square foot for a newly constructed home, the efforts to achieve affordability were borne out.
      Testimony Citation
      Jan Degenshein, Degenshein Architects

      Additional Media

      Finished Elevations

        Finished Interiors

          Under Construction

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            Other Images

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              Floor Plan