Aiming for Zero
Net Zero Buildings are buildings that are able to produce as much energy as they consume over the course of a year. Through energy efficient products and sustainable infrastructure, net zero buildings can significantly reduce energy consumption within the building industry.
Net Zero Building Features
NET-ZERO COMMERCIAL:
Heat Pump
Heat Pump Water Heater
Lighting Controls
Photovoltaic Panels
Variable Speed Pumps
Window Shades
Wood Pellet Boiler
Superior Air Sealing & Insulation
Computers & Office Equipment
Day Lighting
Efficient Kitchen Equipment
Energy Management System
Energy Recovery Ventilation
High-Efficiency Fluorescent or LED Lighting
NET-ZERO RESIDENTIAL:
Heat Pump Water Heater
Heat Recovery Ventilation
High Performance Windows & Doors
Photovoltaic Panels
Tier 3 Appliances
Double Insulation
Exceptional Air Sealing
Efficient Lighting
Energy Management
Low-Flow Water Fixtures
Heat Pump
Sustainable Design Initiatives: Net Zero in Action
Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home
A DOE Zero Energy Ready Home is an energy-efficient home containing a renewable energy system that can offset all or most of its annual energy consumption. Representing a new level of performance with rigorous requirements, these homes ensure outstanding levels of energy savings, comfort, health & durability.
Since 2013, the Housing Innovation Awards recognize the best, most innovative Zero Energy Ready homes around the country. Each year, polyiso insulation remains a consistent feature among the winners.
Case Study: United Way of Long Island, Deer Park, NY
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2016 Grand Winner – Innovation in Affordable Homes
Featuring:
- Two layers of .75” polyiso insulation
- Photovoltaic solar panels
- Furring strips
- ENERGY STAR appliances
- Vinyl-framed double-pane windows
- Low-VOC paint and finishes
2016 Grand Winner - United Way of Long Island
““Since 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Home program has recognized hundreds of leading builders for their achievements in energy efficiency, resulting in over 14,000 energy efficient homes and millions of dollars in energy savings.””
Shelter Dynamics & Green Builder Media: Net Zero Tiny Houses
The tiny house movement exemplifies a growing awareness of the consequences of global consumption and the need to reduce one’s own carbon footprint. As the tiny house market grows, innovative builders and organizations are raising the bar in terms of creating housing that combines sustainability, functionality and artistry.
Case Study: Arc House – A Resilient Prototype
By Shelter Dynamics, Green Builder Media, Align 3D & Kitcheneering
- Advanced windows
- Integrated solar with battery storage
- Passive solar design
- Energy use feedback
Featuring:
- Two layers of polyiso insulation
- Acrylic roof coating
- Built-in awnings
- Efficient HVAC & appliances
Arc House, by Shelter Dynamics – A Resilient Prototype
“ “A new dwelling concept that combines the economy and simplicity of tiny house living with cutting edge building science. A home that is smart, self-sufficient, and compact.” ”
Plastics Make It Possible: A Tiny House That’s Big on Energy Efficiency
Plastics Make It Possible is an online platform intended to highlight plastic innovations around the world. In collaboration with Zach Giffin from FYI Network’s “Tiny House Nation,” Plastics Make It Possible constructed an energy efficient tiny house using plastic building products in order to demonstrate how modern building materials can improve a home’s energy efficiency.
““From more fuel-efficient cars to minimalist packaging to energy saving building products, innovations in plastics have helped us do more in our lives with less impact on the environment. By enabling advances in global sustainability, modern plastics profoundly improved our ability to create a better life while caring for the future.””
Zero Energy Project
This non-profit educational organization offers tools, resources & information on zero energy for residential and commercial buildings. Through taking meaningful steps towards building net zero energy homes, Zero Energy Project envisions a time when homes and buildings are able to produce more energy than they consume.
After Net Zero Deep Energy Retrofit - White Claw Farm
Case study: West Tisbury, MA
Zero Energy Renovation Project – White Claw Farm
Featuring:
3” polyiso wall insulation
Photovoltaic solar panels
Energy Star appliances
Three/fourths ton ducted heat pump
Heavily insulated and sealed ducts
Ventilation at 90%
LED lighting
Low-flow showerheads
““The mission of the Zero Energy Project is to provide information and education to prospective home buyers, builders, designers, real estate professionals and advocates about zero net energy homes and to advance the prevalence of these homes in the mainstream housing market.” ”
Sustainable Design Initiatives: Planning for Success
The American Institute of Architects: AIA 2030 Commitment
The AIA 2030 Commitment supports Architecture 2030’s ‘2030 Challenge’ by providing simple metrics and a streamlined set of confidential data to the firms that have pledged their participation to this initiative that seeks to create a carbon-neutral society by 2030.
2017 Progress Report:
The 2017 savings over the 2030 baseline is 17.8 million MT CO2e/year and $3.2 billion in annual operating costs (6.7% and 11% greater than in 2016, respectively).
Total gross square feet (GSF) grew by 13% compared to 2016.
The number of projects reported in 2017 grew by 21 percent.
135 firms had projects that met their targets.
560 projects met the target
11 firms achieved energy savings of 70%
99 net-zero projects were reported
RESULTS / GSF grows
More than 3 billion GSF
Total gross square feet (GSF) grew by 13 percent over last year to more than 3 billion GSF. This is a more than sevenfold increase since the 2030 Commitment launched in 2010.
““The mission of The AIA 2030 Commitment is to transform the practice of architecture in a way that is holistic, firm-wide, project-based and data-drive, so that the AIA and the participating firms can prioritize energy performance and carbon reductions in the design toward carbon neutral buildings, developments and major renovations by 2030.””
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY’S RACE TO ZERO
This annual student design competition creates opportunities for future architects, engineers, construction managers & entrepreneurs to gain the skills and experience to start careers in clean energy and generate creative solutions to real-world problems.
Collegiate institutions sponsor teams comprised of at least three students, a faculty advisor & a team leader.
Teams obtain specific design problems and must redesign an existing floor plan or create a new house design that satisfies required guidelines.
The mandatory performance target is the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home specification.
Grand Winner: Lane Zero
““The Race to Zero inspires collegiate students to become the next generation of building science professionals through a design challenge for zero energy ready buildings.””
BENEFITS OF LIVING IN A NET ZERO HOME
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