Your questions: ANSWERED

If you are looking to understand if a net-zero home is right for you, how they work, or what is the best way to build; below is a sampling of videos that seek to answer these questions and more. 

You will find more full length content on our blog & YouTube channel.

Does a Graywater Heat Exchanger work?

In this video, we test the actual performance of a 48" greywater heat exchanger; showing you what the real results are.

How do I build a Frost Protected Shallow Foundation (FPSF) with ICF wall?

This video shows one simple way R-Value Homes utilizes a FPSF. We use it with an ICF foundation wall, which makes it super simple to do.

You CAN Have a Healthy Home - What it is and How to Get one

Jake Veirzen of R-Value Homes speaks at the 2023 West Michigan Home and Garden Show. Some major points:
-What is a Healthy Home
-What makes a home Unhealthy
-What YOU can do

Explains what an Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) is, what people use it for, differences in types and brands, how other trades interact with ICF, etc. 

The "Wildflower Farmhouse" is an efficiently designed, spacious home for a growing family concerned to reduce their impact on the environment and control their costs as energy prices rise. This GreenStar Home Certification project features Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) walls, impressive air sealing, triple pane windows, a modulating heat pump, Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV), and passive-solar design; working together to make this ghi zero energy ready home a healthy and ultra-comfortable home to live in.

What is Passive Solar and will it work for my home?

A preview into how we crate and use fantastic and virtually free heat! The Passive Solar System.

Overview of Insulated Concrete Forms

This video covers a broad overview,  including: What is an ICF?  Differences between ICF brands. Why ICF? Products to use with ICF. Engineering. & More!

Thermal Envelope Panel

Jake Vierzen, Owner, R Value Homes. Speaking on Thermal Envelope Panel at the 2019 MI Net-Zero Energy Residential Conference.

How do you build a Net Zero home?

We cover the 4 steps necessary to build a home that annually produces as much energy as it annually consumes. Most of our time is spent on reducing the heating, cooling, and electrical loads.

Can I turn on my heating without drying the air?

A short video on one of the best heating and cooling systems we use that won't dry out the air in your home.

Zero Energy Home Tour

Jake takes you on a virtual guided tour of his brand new GreenStar Homes Silver and Zero Energy Capable Certified home in West Michigan.

Join as we take a before the drywall tour of the Prickly Pear Residence. This home in Fennville Michigan is certified GreenStar Platinum, Zero Energy Capable, and ZeroStep Gold for maximum accessibility. How did they do it? Make sure to watch both parts 1 & 2

Join us as we take a final tour of the completed Prickly Pear Residence. This home in Fennville Michigan is certified GreenStar Platinum, Zero Energy Capable, and ZeroStep Gold for maximum accessibility. How did they do it? Make sure to watch both parts 1 & 2

The Ultimate all electric setup for net-zero ICF home

Who needs an on-demand water heater? True net zero energy homes are all electric. That way we can truly zero out all energy bills. Thus we don't use natural gas or propane to heat the water. This setup uses a Heat Pump Water Heater to heat all the water, with a standard water heater as storage. Providing all the hot water capacity this large family needs!

How to eliminate honeycomb and voids in my ICF wall?

When your concrete walls are covered in foam, how can you ensure they are filled and consolidated well? Here I show an insulated concrete form wall that has been stripped to tie in another wall.

How do I get fresh air in my airtight home? Do I need an ERV or HRV

The Ventilation Strategy. How do we decide whether you need a Heat Recovery Ventilator or an Energy Recovery Ventilator?