The Waban Green Home House of the Future: Net-Zero Energy, LEED - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Environmental Entrepreneurs The Waban Green Home House of the Future: Net-Zero Energy, LEED Platinum, Walking Distance to the T 1

Our purpose for building the house � Who we are – Family of 4 (dog pending) – Two home offices – Frequent guests (9 people lived in house over holidays) � To do our part in mitigating climate change – The most important responsibility of our generation � To live in a house that reflects our values – Gives back as much as it consumes – Is sustainable and in tune with the natural world – Is beautiful inside and out – Is comfortable, healthy and fun to live in � To demonstrate that a net-zero energy house can be built without compromise 2

Building shape, orientation and size � House size – For houses in same neighborhood zoning Solar built within last 10 yrs • Median living area: 4,553 sq ft (22 houses) Orientation • Our living area: 3,896 sq ft (29th percentile) � House size – For houses in same neighborhood zoning built within last 10 yrs • Median living area: 4,553 sq ft (22 houses) • Our living area: 3,896 sq ft (29th percentile) 3

Achieving Zero-Net-Energy � Building envelope (R20/R40/R60) – R20+ foundation, R40+ walls, R60+ roof – Complete air sealing – Edges and corners are problematic… � ERV (energy recovery ventilation) – Intentional better than unintentional � Southern orientation – Optimizes passive solar heating & PV � Optimized windows – Triple pane, gas fill, glazed by orientation � Daylighting 4

Achieving Zero-Net-Energy � Solar thermal panels – Extremely cost efficient hot water � Solar PV – With MA and Federal incentives, IRR 11-22% and payback w/in 4-8 yrs � Air source heat pump (ASHP) – Mini-split system w/outside variable speed compressors and multiple indoor air handlers – Nominal COP of 3.2 – COP of 2.5 at 0 degrees F 5

Achieving Zero-Net-Energy � Open atrium between floors and ceiling fans – Ceiling fans provide energy efficient cooling � Lighting (CFLs -> LEDs) – Warm, dimmable, and lasts many years � Appliances: Energy Star and better – See http://www.energystar.gov/ � User behavior – Home automation makes it easy to live efficiently � See product and service list! 6

Sustainability � Location, location, location! – Public transportation – Walk score (http://www.walkscore.com/ ) � Landscaping – Native plants – Recycled, light colored hardscapes � Recycling – Recycled prior structure and construction material • Craigslist method – Use of recycled materials for driveway, countertops, etc… 7

Sustainability � FSC Lumber – The majority of the mass of the house – Can trust that it was sourced right � Indoor air quality – Minimize VOCs (paints, finishes, rugs) – Minimize formaldehyde (doors, cabinets) – No shoes in house 8

Policy Suggestions � HERS rating requirement – For sales, rentals or financing � Building codes – Reduce the max base code HERS rating � Address regulatory barriers – Should be easier rather than harder to get building permits for energy efficient practices and technologies � Make it easier to monitor energy use – Can’t manage what’s not being monitored � MassSAVE should expand and provide a loan fund – So every home should have benefits and cost savings of super- insulation From: Getting to Zero: Final Report of the Massachusetts Zero Net Energy Buildings Task Force 9

Waban Green Home Energy Use and Production February days where we’re using less energy than we’re producing… The last week… Powerhouse Dynamics energy monitoring system 10

Utility Meter Readings February days where we’re using less energy than we’re producing… Utility Meter Readings 2150 2140 2130 2120 2110 2100 2090 2080 2070 2/3/12 0:00 2/4/12 0:00 2/5/12 0:00 2/6/12 0:00 2/7/12 0:00 2/8/12 0:00 11

Waban Green Home Performance December and January energy usage compared to home we moved from (built to code in 2005, and which had less square footage) Heating kWh per Sq Ft All Other Energy Use for December & January 3.50 2000.00 1800.00 3.00 1600.00 2.50 1400.00 1200.00 2.00 1000.00 1.50 800.00 600.00 1.00 400.00 0.50 200.00 0.00 0.00 Home built in 2005 Waban Green Home Home built in 2005 Waban Green Home 88% less energy needed for heat and hot water 37% less energy needed for everything else 12