Zero Energy Homes-A Brief Primer -- Short ZEH Description
A Zero Energy Home (ZEH) combines high levels of energy efficiency with renewable energy systems to annually return as much energy to the utility as it takes from the utility Ðresulting in a net-zero energy consumption for the home.
Strategies for Energy Efficient Remodeling (SEER)
Develop strategies for energy efficient remodeling for a specific location -- Identify major factors that serve as a basis for EE remodeling -- Evaluate performance and costs -- Initiate a community scale project
Building Science Consulting is a Boston based architecture and building science consulting firm.
The Building America project brings together all segments of the housing industry.
Affordable Housing -- Toward Zero Energy Betsy Pettit, AIA -- Building Science Corporation -- www.buildingscience.com
Why Zero Energy Homes? -- They allow our long term existence in otherwise uninhabitable or uncomfortable environments.
What makes an affordable home? -- Someone who makes the median income in the area can afford to: Purchase, Operate, and Maintain. -- Long Term Durability.
Affordable Zero Energy Habitats
Jeff Christian, ORNL , Phil Kerrigan, Jr., BSC David Beal, IHP
July 29, 2003 -- Washington, DC
Outline: Process, Site, Foundation, Envelope, and MEP
Next two ZEBs under construction
Integrate DOE Emerging Building Technologies, Building America and ZEB
Space Conditioning & Refrigeration --Envelope Systems & Windows --Appliances -- Solid State and Hybrid Lighting.
Building America Near Zero Energy Habitats
Jeff Christian, ORNL Buildings Technology Center
George James, DOE Building America
October 21, 2004
Building America near Zero Energy House Test Site; Lenoir City, TN.
ZEH1 first house to sell solar power to TVA
Annual measured heating cost -$98, Cooling -$79, Domestic hot water $96
Space heating and cooling energy $0.48 / day, Solar credits $0.82 / day
Net off site total energy $0.93 / day. - Construction cost -$100K
The First Attempt at Affordable Zero Energy Houses
By Jeff Christian, ORNL
George James, DOE Building America
November 9, 2004
Affordable energy efficient zero energy houses (ZEH) is the grand challenge set forth by the Department of Energy Building Technologies Program. For the goal to have sustaining national focus the concept requires promise in a variety of different U.S. climates and all price ranges. This article specifically addresses affordable housing in a mixed, humid climate. The first research prototype described was the first attempt at low first cost near zero-energy houses, June 2002. The United States Department of EnergyÕs (DOE) long-term goal is to create technologies that enable net-zero energy residences at low incremental cost by the year 2020. The initiative is to lead new homeowners and builders toward houses that will enable the integration of on-site power.
Energy Savings from Small Near-Zero-Energy Houses
Integration of whole-house construction technologies in small, affordable, super-efficient houses
This technology installation review provides an overview of the construction and monitoring of four small single-family houses that achieve dramatic reductions in energy consumption and approach the goal of Ònet zero energy use.Ó (A net-zero-energy building is one that produces as much energy from solar panels as it consumes over a year.) This study discusses the construction methods, building products, appliances and equipment, and data collection methodologies used in the houses and provides data on energy savings gathered through the monitoring effort.
The Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED) is the UK's largest carbon-neutral eco-community - the first of its kind in this country. BedZED was developed by the Peabody Trust in partnership with Bill Dunster Architects and BioRegional Development Group, environmental consultants.
BedZED is a mixed-use, mixed-tenure development that incorporates innovative approaches to energy conservation and environmental sustainability. It is built on reclaimed land owned by the London Borough of Sutton, sold to Peabody at below market value due to the planned environmental initiatives.
The BedZED design concept was driven by the desire to create a net 'zero fossil energy development', one that will produce at least as much energy from renewable sources as it consumes. Only energy from renewable sources is used to meet the energy needs of the development. BedZED is therefore a carbon neutral development - resulting in no net addition of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
What are the features of BedZED? The design is to a very high standard and is used to enhance the environmental dimensions, with strong emphasis on roof gardens, sunlight, solar energy, reduction of energy consumption and waste water recycling.
Buildings are constructed from thermally massive materials that store heat during warm conditions and release heat at cooler times. In addition, all buildings are enclosed in a 300mm insulation jacket.
BedZED houses are arranged in south facing terraces to maximise heat gain from the sun, known as passive solar gain. Each terrace is backed by north facing offices, where minimal solar gain reduces the tendency to overheat and the need for energy hungry air conditioning.
Solar Row: North Boulder's Net Zero Energy Development
Wonderland Hill Development Company recently began construction on this 13-home community, Solar Row, for the Holiday Neighborhood in North Boulder, Colorado. Architect George Watt brought together three main elements to make this development extremely attractive: contemporary architecture, net zero energy, + traditional neighborhood design. What's more, homes will have up-scale finishes and a decent price tag. We're talking about 2-3 bedroom homes from 1,258 - 1,700 square feet, starting at $379,000 (9 homes)--demand is likely to push these prices up. The other four homes will remain permanently affordable through the city's affordable housing program.
Green Features: These loft-style, urban homes will have the following: grid-tied 3 kilowatt photovoltaic system installed by Namaste Solar Electric; two solar thermal collectors for hydronic baseboard heat + domestic hot water; tightly built, 2x6 framing; spray foam + wet-blown cellulose insulated envelope;Solar_row_costs_box_1 heat recovery ventilators/whole-house fans for ventilation; tankless water heaters; bamboo flooring, Trex decking, + recycled pop-bottle carpeting; low-E windows; Energy Star appliances; dual-flush toilets; programmable thermostats; low-VOC interior paints; and close proximity to mass transportation. While these green homes will be about $15-20 per square foot more than traditional code-built homes, that cost would be even greater without the Xcel Energy rebates (+ Colorado Amendment 37) that helps the development company get back almost two thirds of the solar system's cost. Sans rebates, photovoltaics would not be economically feasible.
Building America is a private/public partnership that develops energy solutions for new and existing homes. The Building America project combines the knowledge and resources of industry leaders with the U.S. Department of Energy's technical capabilities. Together, they act as a catalyst for change in the home-building industry.
What Does Building America Do?
Building America conducts systems engineering research to do the following:
Produce homes on a community scale that use on average 30% to 90% less energy.
Integrate onsite power systems leading to "zero-energy" (ZEH) homes that will ultimately (2020) produce as much energy as they use.
Azlan Homes
Azlan Homes is dedicated to you. Our goal is nothing short of revolutionary: to give the opportunity to live in a safe, healthy, energy-efficient home to everyone
Zero Energy Homes typically cost thousands more than traditionally-built homes. However, at Azlan, we asked the question: Why do people need to be wealthy to provide a safe and healthy environment for their families?
We then made it our mission to provide Zero Energy Homes at prices comparable to traditionally built homes. Today, Azlan is able to offer Zero Energy Homes with the latest in energy-efficient design to the public at prices BELOW the cost of a typical home.
Imagine living in a home with no electric bill, clean air, Energy Star appliances and all the amenities of a typical home, and get it all for a price less than a traditional home.
Why wouldn't you buy an Azlan home?
Ideal Homes
Innovation is at the foundation of the Ideal Homes approach. As a national leader in energy efficient homes, Ideal Home utilizes the latest construction technology, the newest approaches to building and partners with national experts in building science. This site is devoted to the innovative practices and projects that Ideal executes. Visit one of our 16 Oklahoma City communities to see why our thousands customers tell us that "Anything Else is Less Than Ideal"
Zero Energy Home
What is a Zero Energy Home? By combining Ideal HomesÕ energy-efficient construction with renewable energy technology Zero Energy Homes produce about as much energy as they consume, thus potentially reducing the total cost of housing from 20 to 25 percent.
Like most homes, a Zero Energy Home is connected to the utility grid. Unlike other homes, during times of off-peak demand, a ZEH generates more power than it uses. As a result, a ZEH lowers the power demand on its utility provider
The Zero Energy Home produces as much energy as it consumes during a year, equating to a Ònet zeroÓ energy consumption
What is renewable energy technology? Systems that utilize non-traditional energy resources to heat and cool the house and heat water. These include:
Photo voltaics placed on the south-facing roof capture energy from the sun to help offset consumption.
Ground source heat pumps, buried in the earth, harness the earthÕs constant temperature to heat in winter and cool in summer.
Tankless hot water systems heat water instantly when the tap is turned on, conserving energy by not maintaining heated water 24 hours a day.
Building a Zero Energy Home was the next logical step for a company that always seeks better ways to build quality, affordable homes.
Ideal has long been recognized nationally as an innovative leader in the homebuilding industry. This recognition carries with it a responsibility to continuously raise the bar to create energy-efficient homes for Oklahoma. Building a ZEH was the next logical step in IdealÕs commitment to helping families achieve home ownership.
IdealÕs systems and processes have allowed them to control costs to bring this 1,650 square foot test home in for under $200,000. This makes IdealÕs home the first Zero Energy Home in America under $200,000.
Date:July 29, 2007