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McCormick Avenue

    • BrightLeaf Homes built this 2,880-square-foot home in a Chicago suburb, Brookfield, Illinois, to the performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.
    • Downspouts and proper grading help ensure water drains away from the two-story home.
    • Deep overhangs shield second-story windows from sun, rain, and snow while ultra-efficient windows feature triple panes, insulated frames, argon gas fill between the panes, and an advanced low-emissivity coating to block heat loss.
    • High-efficiency appliances, including an ENERGY STAR-rated dishwasher and refrigerator, help to save energy.
    • Home performance testing includes a draft control test to help verify airtightness in the home.
    • A plastic drainage mat helps ensure water drains down the outside of the concrete foundation wall to the footing drains. The mat is installed over a continuous exterior thermal blanket composed of two 1.5-inch layers of rigid foam insulation that maximize comfort and minimize the risk of moisture problems.
    • A continuous thermal blanket below the basement slab utilizes 2 inches of rigid foam insulation. This, in turn, is installed over a foundation floor water barrier system composed of a 10-mil polyethylene sheet over a gravel base; additional poly vapor barrier separates the footings from the foundation walls to keep ground moisture from migrating into walls.
    • Energy-saving attic perimeter insulation uses raised-heel trusses that provide space for a full 16 inches (R-60) of loose blown cellulose insulation all the way to the edges of the attic. Traditional truss framing can result in attic insulation being compressed 75% or more at the eaves.
    • The comprehensive draft protection system includes caulking of the subfloor-sill plate seams and corner seams and spray foaming around pipe penetrations to help minimize heat loss.
    • Additional project photo

      McCormick Avenue

      Project Address

      Brookfield, IL

      Conditioned Square Footage
      2,880 sqft
      Number of Bedrooms
      4 Beds
      Number of Bathrooms
      3.0 Baths
      Number of Floors Above Grade
      2 Floors Above Grade
      Home Type
      Production
      Climate Zone Temperature
      Cold
      Climate Zone Humidity
      Humid

      With PV

      HERS Index with PV
      38HERS (PV)
      Average Monthly Energy Bill PV
      $110Average Monthly Energy Bill (PV)
      Annual Energy Cost Savings with PV
      $1,300Annual Energy Cost Savings (PV)
      30 Year Savings with PV
      $78,00030 Year Savings (PV)

      BrightLeaf Homes LLC

      ZERO

      HIA Year
      HIA Status
      Winner
      HIA Category
      Housing Innovation Award

      Learn More

      Key Features

      Key Features
      Electric Vehicle Charger Installed or Wired for Charger Photovoltaics Triple-pane windows ACH 50 < 2.5 or CFM50/SF of enclosure ≤ 0.25 Staggered Stud Walls

      Additional Details

      Additional Details
      Basement

      Read the Case Study

      Testimonials

      Home owner (or occupant) Testimony
      The difference between here and the house we were renting in the city is amazing. Everything is cozy and quiet. There aren’t any weird smells, and of course, we love the LED everything. I know we have all of these certifications but there really isn’t an understanding of what they do for the general quality of life until you live in the home.
      Testimony Citation
      Homeowner

      Additional Media

      Finished Interiors

        Under Construction

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          Other Images

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            Floor Plan