Designed around Vastu Shastra principles by Eric Hughes of Image Design and built by R-Value Homes, this Grand Rapids home doesn't just reach net zero — it overshoots it. With a HERS Index of −10, the rooftop array produces an estimated 3,000 kWh more than the home consumes each year, feeding the surplus back to the grid.
The mechanical heart is rare: an air-to-water heat pump — just the fifth of its pairing in the nation at the time — feeding radiant floors for both heating and cooling, with no boiler anywhere. Insulated concrete form walls hold the envelope to 0.65 air changes per hour, heat-recovery ventilation exceeds ASHRAE fresh-air standards, and 27 kWh of battery storage keeps the house running through outages while shaving peak demand.
The project certified GreenStar Silver and collected three badges along the way: GHI Zero Energy, Electrified Living, and Peak Load Shaver.
At a glance
- HERS Index of −10 — roughly 3,000 kWh of surplus solar production annually
- Air-to-water heat pump driving radiant floor heating and cooling
- Insulated concrete form envelope at 0.65 ACH50 with 27 kWh of battery storage
Built by R-Value Homes (Jake Vierzen) · Design by Eric Hughes, Image Design
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This project followed the same published checklist available to everyone. See where your home stands, or register with the GreenHome Institute.