Alliance Green Builders built this 3,129-square-foot custom home in Ramona, California, to the performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
In a quest for energy and water self-sufficiency, the homeowners installed 22 kW of sun-tracking photovoltaic panels, a 3.2-kW wind mill, batteries for power storage, a solar thermal water heating system, and nine 10,000-gallon tanks as part of a water collection and recycling system that meets all of the home's domestic water, irrigation, and fire suppression needs.
The solar-reflectant metal roof and low-emissivity triple-pane windows block unwanted solar gain while the home's U-shaped design and deep overhangs provide shade.
Stone, gravel, and pavers provide a pervious, fire-resistant ground cover around the home while xeriscaping keeps irrigation needs at a minimum. Behind the home's three-coat stucco siding, a liquid-applied membrane provides a weather-resistant barrier and rain screen.
ENERGY STAR appliances and LED lighting provide water and energy savings.
ENERGY STAR ceiling fans and triple-pane tilt-and-turn windows help reduce the need for air conditioning.
The 2-by-6 double-stud advance-framed walls are stuffed with R-56 of blown cellulose. Sheets of phase-change material are installed over the cellulose to help even out interior temperatures in this high-desert location.
The roof-mounted solar thermal panels and an air-to-water heat pump provide hot water for the home's radiant floor heating system.
The home's energy management system tracks energy and water usage and production. A 40-kW battery storage system is the home's first source of power, with the grid connection serving as a backup.
In addition to solar water heating, the home is equipped with a fan coil supplied by an air-to-water heat pump and a ducted mini-split heat pump that provides backup heating and cooling. A heat pump water heater provides additional backup hot water.

Casa Aguila

Ramona, CA

3,129 sqft

4 Beds

5.0 Baths

1 Floor Above Grade

Custom

Hot

Dry

With PV

-92HERS (PV)

$-800Average Monthly Energy Bill (PV)

$11,700Annual Energy Cost Savings (PV)

$490,00030 Year Savings (PV)

Alliance Green Builders

Profile | Website

ZERO

2017

Grand Winner

Custom Buyer

Learn More

Key Features

Air-to-water heat pump All-electric home Energy / Heat recovery ventilator Electric Vehicle Charger Installed or Wired for Charger Heat pump water heater Photovoltaics Battery storage Triple-pane windows Unvented insulated attic ACH 50 < 2.5 or CFM50/SF of enclosure ≤ 0.25

Read the Case Study

(PDF Download)

See the Poster

(PDF Download)

Testimonials

Home owner (or occupant) Testimony

Living in a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home has changed our lives … The whole house ventilation system makes the air cleaner and healthier … We charge our EVs with the energy we produce …We plan to be completely independent of the grid at some point. For now, it's great to know we are giving more energy back than we are consuming.

Testimony Citation

Homeowner

Additional Media

Finished Elevations

Finished Interiors

Under Construction

The 2-by-6 double-stud advance-framed walls are stuffed with R-56 of blown cellulose. Sheets of phase-change material are installed over the cellulose to help even out interior temperatures in this high-desert location.
The roof-mounted solar thermal panels and an air-to-water heat pump provide hot water for the home's radiant floor heating system.

Other Images

In addition to solar water heating, the home is equipped with a fan coil supplied by an air-to-water heat pump and a ducted mini-split heat pump that provides backup heating and cooling. A heat pump water heater provides additional backup hot water.