The Nettleton/Perraud residence, planned, designed and constructed by the owners themselves, is being built close to the center of town in Hebron. The owner’s goal was to build a traditional colonial house employing as much energy savings technology as possible. This goal is meant to show prospective new homeowners exactly what, as well as how, the next generation of homes could be quite traditional in design, yet at the same time, be energy efficient.

The house is a double-wing, "five over four" (windows) classic colonial with four bedrooms using a traditional design. The outside of this colonial home, with its clapboard exterior, composed of cement-fiber, is completely compatible with the local area. From the very beginning, energy saving and "sustainable" energy conservation considerations were paramount. The house site of the 4.5 acre residential lot was chosen because of its gently rear-ward sloping terrain and natural southern exposure for solar gains. The house foundation was specifically oriented and engineered for the very best position for maximizing the benefits of passive solar.

The house is approximately 4,200 square feet of which 2,600 square feet are heated by a radiant floor heating system. Sixteen hundred square feet of this radiant floor heating system is located on the lower level (includes an 800 square foot full walk-out accessory apartment) with the remaining 1,000 square feet located on the first floor. Two closed loop geothermal wells service a two stage multi-ton water-to-water geothermal heat pump which heats water for a 50-gallon buffer tank.

The Nettleton/Perraud residence meets, and actually exceeds the 2009 IECC standard, an energy code that is above and beyond what Connecticut is currently following. To meet these energy code requirements, the home uses a whole house integrated approach in design, using advanced insulation techniques, ENERGY STAR® 0.28 U-value windows, solar orientation, proper site selection, ground source heat pump technology, ERV ventilation, and ENERGY STAR® appliances throughout the home. Specifically, the home’s exterior walls have R-21 RESNET Grade I insulation and attic insulation of R-40 RESNET Grade I insulation. Subject to final testing, the duct leakage is projected to be 135 CFM 25 to the outside and a projected leakage rate of 1803.

With the addition of a photovoltaic system, planned for the near future, this home will be a near zero energy home.