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Nebraska Homebuilder Wins Energy Efficient Home Award

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On March 1st Reding Homes of Papillion, Nebraska won the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) 2018 Cross Border Builder Challenge. The Cross Border Challenge is a friendly competition between American and Canadian Home Builders to determine just how energy efficient builders can build.

This project was a team effort involving the builder, the Homeowner/Designer and a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rater. Although Reding is a well seasoned builder, this was his first HERS and ENERGY STAR® rated new home but he quickly adopted the additional air barrier and sealing techniques required.

A Collaborative Effort

The residence at 7605 Saddle Drive, Papillion, was funded through Construction and Final Mortgage loans underwritten by the Nebraska Energy Office Energy-Efficient New Home program. This program set many high-efficiency guidelines; but the Homeowner, Josh Thoma, researched and provided most of the insulation, window and HVAC specifications that far exceeded the minimum guidelines. The end result was a HERS 26 rating which is also the lowest Nebraska Energy Office loan HERS score to date per Bruce Hauschild, Energy Technical Advisor. See the home details here.

Building Features:

  • Style: 5,751 sq. ft. 4 BR / Custom 2 Story w/ Walkout Basement
  • Foundation Walls: R-20 ext. Foam Board
  • Above Grade Walls: 2x4 to 2x12 (based on structural specs) with R-20 ext. Foam Board; cavity insulation: 2" Closed Cell foam and Blown-In Fiberglass fill.
  • Ceiling Insulation: 2" Closed Cell foam (corner-to corner) and Blown Fiberglass to R60
  • Windows: U-Value: 0.17 ~ SHGC: 021 (typical)
  • Mechanical: ClimateMaster Trilogy geothermal HVAC w/ integrated Domestic Hot Water and ERV.
  • Annual Energy Costs: $1,791 (per HERS certificate) $1,875 (2018 Rates).