Zero Net Homes

The first step toward an energy-efficient house is to look at what nature provides. Utilizing passive or natural systems first offsets energy needs. One of the essential passive systems to consider in heating/cooling a house is using or shading direct radiation from the sun. The angle and position of the sun determine the potential for passive solar heat gain. As the sun rises in the east and sets in the west in the northern hemisphere, the home’s southern side gets the most direct light and heat. Roofs with overhanging eaves shade houses in hot climates. Passive heating and cooling systems that work with the orientation of the sun and movements of cross ventilation of air throughout the house lower energy needs. Planting trees in urban areas and promoting green roofs and plant and tree canopy coverage reduces urbanized areas’ heat island effect. Natural light reduces the need for electric lights during the daytime. Positioning doors away from winter winds saves residents from blasts of cold air! Drawing from the constant temperature of geothermal heat offsets energy needed to keep the indoors comfortable in all seasons.

Upload a list of passive strategies used in Net Zero Homes.

The first step toward an energy-efficient house is to look at what nature provides. Utilizing passive or natural systems first offsets energy needs. One of the essential passive systems to consider in heating/cooling a house is using or shading direct radiation from the sun. The angle and position of the sun determine the potential for passive solar heat gain. As the sun rises in the east and sets in the west in the northern hemisphere, the home’s southern side gets the most direct light and heat. Roofs with overhanging eaves shade houses in hot climates. Passive heating and cooling systems that work with the orientation of the sun and movements of cross ventilation of air throughout the house lower energy needs. Planting trees in urban areas and promoting green roofs and plant and tree canopy coverage reduces urbanized areas’ heat island effect. Natural light reduces the need for electric lights during the daytime. Positioning doors away from winter winds saves residents from cold air blasts! Drawing from the constant temperature of geothermal heat offsets energy needed to keep the indoors comfortable in all seasons.

Upload a list of passive strategies used in Net Zero Homes to the Gallery.

In the United States, air leakage from homes accounts for a loss of 25% to 40% of heating and cooling. Sealing the house from leaks on the outside is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce the energy needed to heat and cool. The more completely the house is sealed, the more remarkable ability to regulate indoor temperature no matter what fluctuations occur in nature. Sealing the exterior covers most of the building, including many of the framing connections inside the house, with attention to the continuity of the air barrier around windows, doors, sill seams, band joists, penetrations, and the joints between roofs, walls, and floors.

After making the house airtight, super-insulating the house is the second most cost-effective strategy for creating a Zero NET home. Raising the “R” value of insulation in the attic, the walls, and the basement and using triple vacuumed sealed windows keeps houses cool in the hot desert areas and warmer in the colder climates. Insulating and sealing all six sides of the net-zero building envelope are fundamental steps in constructing zero energy homes.

Draw a Net Zero house section labeling the best “R” value of all of its walls, floors, and ceiling.

Double and triple-paned windows offer “R” Values close to an insulated wall to keep the building insulation consistent. Triple Vacuum Insulated Windows have an “r” value of 14, just like a wall! While more expensive initially, better windows and doors offset energy use over changing seasons. Windows that are operable and set to open and close for cross ventilation provide passive cooling strategies. In addition, an orientation that respects the heat and movement of the sun and the wind changes the design of the house’s form, mass, and interior spatial arrangement. Finally, daylight reduces energy costs and provides occupants with a sense of well-being.

Upload a sectional drawing of a triple-glazed window to the Gallery!

Consider utilizing Geothermal, or the annual temperature of the earth, to offset heating and cooling of your house. For example, instead of starting in winter or summer at 90 or 0 degrees, both seasons welcome starting with 50 degrees and making up 18 degrees for human warmth, or 18 degrees for human cooling comfort! Air sourced Mini Split Heat or Ductless Heat Pumps are an energy-efficient method of heating and cooling homes. HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation) Systems expel stale air and return it as fresh air to the interior utilizing constant temperature out and refreshed air returned. Water Heating is the next most significant expense in domestic life. Installing On-Demand water heaters instead of keeping cylinder water tanks heated 24/7 makes a considerable difference in energy use and costs. Photovoltaic (PV) Panels tied to the grid are currently the most energy-efficient system available to power the entire energy needs of a Net-Zero Home. PV Panels support heating, cooling, lighting, hot water, and electricity usage of appliances. However, they are currently the most expensive component of a zero-energy home. PV panels can cover the remaining energy needs of the house after HRV or geothermal units.

Complete this Green Home Worksheet and upload it to the Gallery!

In a typical zero energy home, appliances and plug loads may account for up to 60% of the energy load. Selecting energy-efficient appliances and managing “phantom” plug loads like computers, lights, televisions, dishwashing machines, clothes washing machines, and others continue to draw energy unseen, day and night, whether or not the devices are in use. Organizing electricity switches by room can cut down on phantom electricity when people are not using the equipment and are sleeping. Identifying and purchasing the most energy-efficient appliances at the lowest cost takes research. However, both efforts are critically important to the success of a zero-energy home where appliances and electronics represent the largest category of energy use – more significant than the much-reduced space heating and water heating energy use in these homes. When selecting Energy Star Appliances, select the most cost-effective models. The cost and energy features of appliances frequently change, so search for the latest information on appliances. Using energy during off-peak times is also less expensive especially if the community has a Smart Meter connected to a Smart Grid.

Draw your Zero Net Home connected to a Smart Grid!

Electric lighting is moving from incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs. LED bulbs do not give off heat or ultraviolet rays and use less voltage than incandescent bulbs. They also come in a range of colors. The average LED bulb lasts more than 40 times the average length of incandescent bulbs. Use this bulb type chart to count how many incandescent, fluorescent, and LED lights you currently have in your house. Use the hourly schedule to total which lights are on when and for how long! Consider using Solar Powered lights for outdoor lighting! Calculate your homes lighting energy use.

Electric lighting is moving from incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs. LED bulbs do not give off heat or ultraviolet rays and use less voltage than incandescent bulbs. They also come in a range of colors. The average LED bulb lasts more than 40 times the average length of incandescent bulbs. Use this bulb type chart to count how many incandescent, fluorescent, and LED lights you currently have in your house. Calculate lighting energy use.

Upload your Lighting Worksheet to the NEXT.cc Gallery. START SAVING ENERGY!!!!

Emphasizing 1 Reduce, 2 Renew, and 3 Offsetting Carbon Emissions across all aspects of the project, including material selection, construction, operating energy, and everyday residential use can be managed using an Building ENERGY Comparative Studies like Architecture 2030’s Zero Tool

Reduce - Build less and protect natural ecosystems. Reduce the overall size of a project, the smaller the building, the less its carbon footprint, and the lower the amount of energy required to operate the house. Appliances that use less energy, windows, walls, roofs, basements with higher “R” values, use of natural light, and energy-saving LED light fixtures to minimize monthly utility bills.

Renew - Zero Net Homes use renewable energy, restore native ecosystems, replenish natural building materials, and recycle recyclable materials.

Offset - Offsetting and carbon trading are increasingly popular used to compensate for the carbon expense of a project. To cover the carbon you can’t eliminate, consider contributing to local offset projects.

Make a Zero Net Home Poster Sharing ways to Reduce, Renew, and Offset and upload it to the Gallery!