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TREE at EcoVillage

    • AquaZephyr, LLC, built this 22,600-square-foot, 15-unit multifamily building in Ithaca, New York, to the performance criteria of the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program. The angular decks and entry area were designed to increase the amount of southern exposure for passive solar gain.
    • This multifamily structure is part of EcoVillage at Ithaca, a community of energy-efficient multifamily, duplex, and single-family homes built around shared community gardens, open spaces, and ponds.
    • Durable fiber cement, stained wood, and 29-gauge metal siding; metal roofing; covered entries; triple-pane windows; and earthquake strapping all add to the storm resistance of this multifamily building in upstate New York.
    • Nearly three-fourths of the building's lighting is provided by advanced-technology LEDs and the remainder is high-efficiency compact fluorescent lighting.
    • The building is so well-insulated that baseboard electric heaters are enough to meet the low heating demands.
    • Rigid foam insulation beneath the foundation footing ties into perimeter insulation and under-slab insulation as part of a continuous thermal blanket around the building.
    • Two layers of rigid foam insulation wrap the foundation slab, helping to keep floors warm in the winter.
    • The exterior walls are filled with a mold-resistant glass mineral wool insulation then covered with a coated OSB sheathing plus a fire-rated mineral wool foam board, plus two inches of foil-faced rigid polyisocyanurate.
    • The highly efficient triple-pane windows let in light while stopping heat transfer.
    • Rigid foam is sealed into place with canned spray foam to insulate and air-seal the header spaces above the windows.

      TREE at EcoVillage

      Project Address

      Ithaca, NY

      Conditioned Square Footage
      467 sqft
      Number of Bedrooms
      1 Bed
      Number of Bathrooms
      1.0 Bath
      Number of Floors Above Grade
      1 Floor Above Grade
      Home Type
      Multifamily
      Climate Zone Temperature
      Cold
      Climate Zone Humidity
      Humid

      With PV

      HERS Index with PV
      26HERS (PV)
      Average Monthly Energy Bill PV
      $50Average Monthly Energy Bill (PV)
      Annual Energy Cost Savings with PV
      $1,100Annual Energy Cost Savings (PV)
      30 Year Savings with PV
      $41,00030 Year Savings (PV)

      AquaZephyr, LLC

      ZERO

      HIA Year
      HIA Status
      Winner
      HIA Category
      Housing Innovation Award

      Learn More

      Key Features

      Key Features
      All-electric home Energy / Heat recovery ventilator Electric Vehicle Charger Installed or Wired for Charger High-performance wall with continuous insulation Photovoltaics Triple-pane windows ACH 50 < 2.5 or CFM50/SF of enclosure ≤ 0.25

      Read the Case Study

      See the Poster

      Testimonials

      Video Testimonial
      Home owner (or occupant) Testimony
      What I like about the DOE ZERH program is the clear overlap with ENERGY STAR, the fantastic support, and the promotion of zero net energy. Our customers are thrilled to be improving their building performance, reducing environmental impacts and pollution, and reducing maintenance. In most cases, we find building to zero net energy ready levels is not a significant added cost.
      Testimony Citation
      Kendall Carpenter, builder, AquaZephyr LLC

      Additional Media

      Finished Elevations

        Finished Interiors

          Under Construction

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            Other Images

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              Floor Plan