Ameri-tec Mechanical is pleased to be part of the PP&L’s High Performance homes project (ZERH: Zero Energy Ready Homes) in partnership with Award winning home builder, Alden Homes. We would like to thank James, Chase and the team at Alden Homes for the opportunity to partner with them on this project.
What is a High Performance ZERH home? It is the Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home certification. One of the most rigorous home certification standards available. Along with accommodations for future Solar Panels, heat pump water heaters, car chargers etc. they also include high insulation values and low infiltration values.
Our part in the project is the home comfort system. Although the minimum requirements for the ZERH rating are an Energy star system, we have bumped this system up a notch to include a Lennox 96% high efficiency 2 stage gas furnace with variable speed blower. While most furnaces are either off or on, the EL296V can create heat at two different levels. This allows it to find a smart balance between energy use and comfortable warmth. The variable speed blower will ramp up to speed in increments using about 1/3 the electric of a traditional blower motor and has notably quieter operation. When the system isn’t calling for heat or ac, the blower can be set to circulate. It will then run periodically at 30% of its speed setting to move air around the home to help maintain a balanced temperature while also filtering it at the same time.
Paired with the EL18V, 18 Seer variable capacity air conditioner which has ability to dynamically adapt to the temperature and humidity conditions of your home will provide a much more consistent temperature throughout the home and help remove more humidity than a single or 2 stage system…..but there is more to being comfortable than being warm or cold.
That’s why we have also added the Lennox Healthy Climate Pureair air purification system which utilizes a merv 16 air filter and UV lights to capture and remove over 99% of virus particles, including the common cold, influenza and viruses 4x smaller than SARS-CoV-2. It is even more efficient – 99.9% to be precise – at removing larger particles, like mold spores, pollen, dust and pet dander. Unlike other air purification systems, the PureAir™ system produces no ozone, a common lung irritant. Better still, it will actively work to reduce ozone generated by other sources in your home.
We also installed a Lennox ERV (energy recovery ventilator) to provide fresh air from outside and exhaust stale air from inside the home to help ensure best quality air the home.
To top off the system, we installed a Lennox S30 ultra smart Wi-Fi thermostat control system, which makes it a true communicating system, and allows you to monitor and adjust temperatures and schedules from anywhere in the world using the iComfort App on your smart phone, tablet or other web-enabled device. It also provides consistent comfort and peace of mind by actively monitoring the system operations and alerting you if any problem should arise.
Check out the video below to see the model home while under construction and for more information about the PP& L High Performance homes project, visit PP&Ls website here:
PP&L high-performance-homes-pilot
https://youtu.be/uYw4CNmcJIk
