We are thrilled to share that Alair Asheville | Red Tree Builders has been honored with the EEBA Excellence Award for ZERH Custom Home Over 2,500 sq. ft. for our project, Sweet Fern. This national recognition from the Energy & Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) celebrates homes that set the benchmark for high-performance, healthy, and resilient design — and Sweet Fern embodies all of these qualities.
A Home Designed for Resilience and Energy Independence
The 2,974-square-foot Sweet Fern Residence was designed from the ground up to be fully electric, net-positive, and able to operate independently of the grid. At the heart of this home is a forward-thinking energy package that integrates a SPAN Smart Panel, a 10.5–11 kW rooftop solar array, and three Tesla Powerwalls, creating a system that is both elegant and powerful.
With a HERS score of -9, Sweet Fern produces more energy than it consumes — a milestone that reflects not just efficiency, but true energy autonomy.
Intelligent Energy Management with SPAN + Tesla Powerwalls
Unlike many projects where renewable systems are treated as add-ons, Sweet Fern’s energy solution was part of the design conversation from day one.
The SPAN Smart Panelallows the homeowners to monitor and control every circuit in real time, ensuring critical loads like HVAC, refrigeration, and lighting are prioritized during an outage.
Tesla Powerwalls (40.5 kWh of storage) allow the home to run for extended periods off-grid without sacrificing comfort.
Thoughtful planning of panel locations, conduit runs, and battery placement maximized performance while keeping the system visually unobtrusive.
The result is a seamless, intuitive energy system that eliminates the guesswork of traditional backup systems, providing peace of mind no matter the weather or grid conditions.
Beyond Code — Setting a New Standard
Sweet Fern does more than check the boxes for today’s green building standards — it points toward the future of sustainable living. Alongside its renewable energy package, the home features:
Geothermal HVAC system for efficient, even heating and cooling
Smart ventilation systems to maintain healthy indoor air quality
Heat pump water heater to reduce energy use even further
Together, these systems create a home that is not only beautiful but also prepared for the challenges of a changing climate.
A Model for the Future of Homebuilding
For Alair Asheville | Red Tree Builders, Sweet Fern represents the next evolution of custom homebuilding: where technology, sustainability, and design work together to create homes that are as resilient as they are refined.
This EEBA Excellence Award is a testament to the vision of our clients, the dedication of our team, and the potential for residential construction to lead the way toward a smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable future.
Ready to Build Your Own High-Performance Home?
If you’re inspired by Sweet Fern and want to explore how a custom, sustainable, and fully electric home can be designed for your lot, our team at Alair Asheville | Red Tree Builders would love to talk with you.
Schedule a Consultation to start the conversation and see how we can turn your vision into a home that’s beautiful, resilient, and built for the future.
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