Dan Smith, sales representative out of the Murfreesboro model has had the recent pleasure of working with a customer whose goal was to build a Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH).

To accomplish this goal, the customer chose Honest Abe’s SIP panel offering but was drawn to one of our most popular log home floor plans – the Madison.

So with slight modifications, including a small loft, the plan was developed and the home built. It became the first residential Zero Energy Ready Home certified in the state of Tennessee. In addition, the home also received EPA Air and Energy Star Certifications.

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Mike Hix was the designer that worked with Dan and the customer to customize the plan. With nearly 1,700 square feet of conditioned space, the homeowner’s projected energy costs is $1,020 annually. This is with all electric heating/cooling heat systems and an electric hot water heater.

The home’s exterior walls are constructed with the standard, highly energy efficient 4.5 inch SIP system with a Hardie product on the exterior. These panels give you a continuous R-26 rating with very limited thermal breaks. The roof system is the standard Honest Abe Heavy Timber roof system in the center (R-40).

The wings are constructed with manufactured trusses with blown in cellulose insulation achieving an approximate R-40 also. Jeld-Wen 2500 series windows and Honest Abe fiberglass doors were chosen by the customer. Dry-in labor was provided by Honest Abe veteran crew led by Darrell Elliott.

“It was fun to work with such nice customers who had a goal from the beginning and to see them it achieve that goal is very gratifying,” Dan said. “It’s also nice to think about all you can do with the money you’re not sending to the power company!”

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