Ferrier Custom Homes built this 2,914-square-foot custom home in Aledo, Texas, to the high performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.

Five inches of spray foam fills the 2-by-6 advanced framed exterior walls, providing insulating, air-sealing, and sound-deadening properties.

The double-pane, thermally insulated aluminum frame windows have low-emissivity coatings with three spectrally selective layers to filter out UV while providing lower solar heat gain and allowing 66% visible light transmittance.

A rooftop deck perches atop the flat roof, which is covered with 60-mil fully adhered thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membrane roofing. Sloped roof sections are covered with an ENERGY STAR-rated Galvalume Class IV highly reflective standing seam metal roof with synthetic underlayment. The roof is designed for rainwater catchment and downspouts direct rain to a 1,500-gallon tank.

Fiber cement and stone siding provide a durable surface for the exterior walls, while overhangs protect walls and windows from high overhead summer sun.

Highly efficient appliances and ultra-low-flow fixtures add to the energy and water savings in this efficient home.

The coated OSB sheathing is covered with house wrap under the fiber cement siding, and then with an additional layer of felt paper under the cultured stone for triple protection against wind-blown rain.

A rain screen covers the felt paper to provide a drainage gap behind the stone siding.

Rigid foam is sandwiched between layers of lumber to provide a thermal break in the walls above doors and windows.

The home is equipped with a highly efficient central air source heat pump and all of the ducts are located within the conditioned space of the home in the open-web joists between the floors.