HONEOYE, N.Y. -- A home in Honeoye Falls has been named the most energy efficient custom built Home according to the Residential Energy Services Network.
“As of this morning, I took my meter read and we heated the house for $165 for the year,” said homeowner, Matthew Bowers.
With the help of an air source heat pump, 16 inch walls filled with insulation, passive house windows and heat recovery ventilation the air tight enveloped home has become a popular Upstate New York attraction. It is Garbacik Construction company's first passive home in Western New York.
“It's such a cool house I just wanted to see it live and in person," said visitor, Grant Esler. "If the heats in there, it's staying in there. It's not sneaking out through any windows or walls or anything like that no sneaky air.”
The fully insulated home, located on Quaker Meeting House Road, received the lowest Home Energy Rating Score among 206,500 energy efficient houses tested in the United States and Canada. The Bowers' family hosted an open House on April 1 for people looking to get an inside look on insulated living. The family moved into the Rochester Passive House in July and say the change has been the best decision yet.
“Odor control, fresh air into the house, temperature control, it's just there's no comparison,” said Bowers.
As the award winner of the 2017 Resnet's Cross Border Home Builder Challenge, the Western New York Home was rated on flooring, ceilings, HVAC systems, ventilation, windows, doors, and several other energy efficient variables.
“Designing air tightness is just as important as trying to make a house air tight,” said Bowers.
For more information on tours and construction of the award winning energy efficient home visit their website.