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B4‐2016 ZNE Part 1

© Ann Edminster / Design AVEnues LLC 2016 1

Zero Energy Part 1The Big Secret: you already know this stuff!

Session Topics

SUCCESS FACTORSNavigation principlesSurmounting hurdlesRethinking cost

Preparation is half the battle.

YES

What does it take to create Zero Energy Homes?

NO



The basic ingredients forZero Energy

A really good thermal enclosure

Efficient equipment

LED lighting

Renewable energy

NOTHING CRAZY …

So where’s the PROBLEM?E‐V‐E‐R‐Y‐T‐H‐I‐N‐G

REALLY, really WELL!

NEEDS TO BE DONE

How often does that happen?!?

Critical steps to achievingZero Energy

SET GOALS EARLY

BE PICKY ABOUT YOUR TEAM

FOCUS ON FUNDAMENTALS

CHECK PROGRESS OFTEN

“The Golden Goose Egg”

ZERO ENERGY HOMES



Set Early, Specific, Performance Goals

1. Choose your fuel source(s)

2. Choose a ZNE definition3. Quantify your energy goals

Clearedgepower.com

Choose Your Fuel Source(s)Electricity: unavoidable

PhotovoltaicsWindFuel cellsMicro‐hydroHybrids

Others: optionalNatural gasPropaneWoodPellets

© Martin Darley | Dreamstime.com© Matt Niebuhr| Dreamstime.com

Choose a ZNE Definition

If you want to offset or compensate for:

Then choose zero net:

Amount of energy you will probably need to produce:

Your power bill Energy COST

Industrial production associated with your power usage

SOURCE energy or

Your actual on‐site power usage

SITE energy

Emissions associated with your power usage

Energy EMISSIONS

or or

(based on fuel mix and sources)



10Part 1

Quantify Your Energy GoalsHow much energy does a code‐built

home use?

DEM

AND

How much energy will your ZNE home save?

How much renewable energy will be needed?

PRODUCT

ION

EFFICIEN

CY

?

?

Do a Reality CheckHOW MUCH RENEWABLE

ENERGY CAN YOU PRODUCE?

EFFICIENCY is essential!How many roofs would you need to cover with PVs

to achieve zero net SOURCE energy?

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

AND THE OUTLIER:371

Energy Free Figure 2‐14, page 29



Choose Well: Key Traits of ZE TeamsCommitmentCreativityExperienceEngagement

(Code for “plays well with

others”)

Who’s on the team … from Day 1?

Owner/developerArchitectGeneral contractorMEP / energy consultant / Title 24 analystOther consultants (structural, interiors, lighting, landscape, et al.)Renewables consultant/vendor

[ORDINARY]Design+

ZE Construction≠

ZE Buildings

ZE Design+

[ORDINARY]Construction

≠ZE Buildings

Why involve the GC & trades from Day 1?Zero Energy is a Recessive Gene

QUALITY IS CRITICAL

ZNE Design + ZNE Construction = ZNE Buildings



Session Topics

Success factorsNAVIGATION PRINCIPLESSurmounting hurdlesRethinking cost Think

PROCESS & PLACE.

Adopt an INTEGRATED PROCESS

Buildings perform best when the building components and systems are effectively integrated;Effective building integration happens only if the

project team is also well integrated.

© Pressmaster | Dreamstime.com © Alexei Averianov| Dreamstime.com

THIS

THAT

18

What is an Integrated/Integrative

Process?

OWNER COMMITS TO ID+D

TEAM IS ASSEMBLED

GOALS / OBJECTIVES CHARRETTE

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

© Dashark | Dreamstime.com

DESIGN CHARRETTE

DESIGN CHARRETTE



Integrative Process

Construction Documents

Construction Documents

Cour

tesy of B

ill Ree

d an

d 7G

roup

Gather the team EARLY and OFTEN

20

Integrated Design + Delivery:higher performance, not higher cost

courtesy of Bruce Coldham, Coldham& Hartman Architects

AMORY LOVINS

“Tunnel through the Cost Barrier”

21

Why ID+D Improves Performance without adding to cost

“Owners who have pursued ID+D report better outcomes in terms of value and cost.”INTEGRATED DESIGN & DELIVERY GUIDE cec.orgCredit: Patrick MacLeamy



Relocating mechanical room from penthouse to core:

Reduced energy loads and

Reduced first cost by $40,000

PA Department of Environmental ProtectionCourtesy of 7group & Bill Reed

Example: The Effect of Design Integration

Focus on fundamentals

REALLY HARD to heat, insulate, & air seal COMPLEX forms!

MUCH EASIER to heat, insulate, & air seal SIMPLE forms

Important early design factors: Building Geometry

Simple formsLong axis E‐WOverhangs

Code doesn’t address design basics so … WE need to!



Example: Early Interventions = + Performance + Durability

WEST: before after SOUTH: before after

More room for photovoltaicsEqually attractive design

Easier & less expensive to detailEasier to air seal & insulate

Cost

Important early design factors: Embedded Systems

12% framing factor

structureair sealingplumbingelectrical insulation

If you can’t get to ZE all at once, focus on things that are hard to change later!

INVE

NTO

RY

ZERO

‐ENER

GY HOMES

ADD YOUR PROJECTS:http://netzeroenergycoalition.com/zero‐energy‐case‐studies/

Learn from ZE pioneers with

similar climates!



Use CASE* studies* “Copy And Steal Everything” ~ Dennis Creech

http://nesea.org/buildingenergy‐case‐studies

Zero Energy Case Studies

Let the Feds help you!

http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/doe‐tour‐zerohttp://energy.gov/eere/buildings/doe‐zero‐energy‐ready‐home‐resources

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Marine (San Francisco) Hot/Mixed Dry(Phoenix)

RENEWABLES

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Maximize cost‐effectivenessBalance efficiency vs. renewables

Percent Energy Savings:Efficiency vs. Renewable Energy

Energy Free Figure 2‐5, page 26, based on data from Navigant

Marine (San Francisco)

Cold(Chicago)



Revisit GOALS & check PROGRESSfrequently throughout the project

Courtesy Nancy Malone, Siegel & Strain Architects

GOALS &PRIORITIES

Use energy modelingearly and often during design

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Heating (E)

Cooling (E)

HVAC Fan/Pump (E)

Vent Fan (E)

Hot Water (G)

Lights (E)

Lg. Appl. (G)

Lg. Appl. (E)

Misc. (E)

3.5 kW

4 kW

Baseline

EUI (

kBtu

/sf-y

r)

Which variables influence performance

the MOST?

Session Topics

Success factorsNavigation principlesSURMOUNTING HURDLESRethinking cost

Plan ahead. (Did I mention that?!)



Surmounting hurdlesCombating common challenges & cost driversCHALLENGE:

Lack of owner commitment

REMEDY:Don’t move forward without committed owner


Lack of owner commitmentDesign decisions inconsistent with goals

REMEDY:Don’t move forward without committed ownerSet goals early & check progress often

Courtesy Nancy Malone, Siegel & Strain Architects


Lack of owner commitmentDesign decisions inconsistent with goalsInformation or insight too late to be useful

REMEDY:Don’t move forward without committed ownerSet goals early & check progress oftenIdentify expertise needs & engage team early

1. Ensure deep energy expertise!

2. If needed, engage GC as a consultant.




Lack of owner commitmentDesign decisions inconsistent with goalsInformation or insight too late to be usefulReliance on (mediocre) industry standards

REMEDY:Don’t move forward without committed ownerSet goals early & check progress oftenIdentify expertise needs & engage team earlyMonitor and measure performance in the field

W. Edwards Deming:


Lack of owner commitmentDesign decisions inconsistent with goalsInformation or insight too late to be usefulReliance on (mediocre) industry standardsField changes

REMEDY:Don’t move forward without committed ownerSet goals early & check progress oftenIdentify expertise needs & engage team earlyUse data, and test to verify performanceBullet‐proof your CDs and ensure they’re understood


Lack of owner commitmentDesign decisions inconsistent with goalsInformation or insight too late to be usefulReliance on (mediocre) industry standardsField changes

REMEDY:

CommitmentCreativityExperienceEngagement



Session Topics

Success factorsNavigation principlesSurmounting hurdlesRETHINKING COST

Or is it about VALUE?

Ask the RIGHT question:

“What do we need to do differently to

achieve ZERO without increasing costs?”

How do we get to Zero on budget?MINDSET

NOT “How much extra will it cost to get

to zero?”

42

www.DSIREUSA.org

A COMPREHENSIVE DATABASE OF

STATE, LOCAL, UTILITY & FEDERAL INCENTIVES

& POLICIES THAT PROMOTE RENEWABLE

ENERGY & ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Factor in incentives!



Research other financial resources

Be sure to check:Energy‐efficient mortgages (EEMs)Local agencies

City (e.g., PV bulk buy programs)County (e.g., PACE financing)Water district (rebates)

Federal tax incentivesState rebate programsAlternative financing for solar electric systems

Power purchase agreement (PPA)Lease, lease‐to‐buy

44

Zero Energy Cost vs. Value

“The learnings from the [ZNE] homes have improved all of our homes significantly, improved their saleability, and improved our position in the

marketplace.”~ Ryan Scott, CEO, Avalon Master Builders

There is a significant cost premium to build

ZNE homes.

THE COMMON ASSUMPTION

0 1 2 3 4

C

B

A CARSTEN CROSSINGS

BREAK EVEN

COMPETITION

Grupe Co. Solar Home Sales

(Homes per month)

A ZE BUILDER’S VIEWPOINT

ANOTHER METRIC

45

ABC GREEN HOME ZNE DEMONSTRATION

“The ABC Green Home uses the same means and methods that any of today’s home builders would ... The simple footprint and roof form keep it affordable,

[and] the simple architectural detailing [is] aesthetically appealing to the broadest buyer market.”

~ Manny Gonzales, KTGY Architecture & Planning

A PRODUCTION HOME ARCHITECT’S

VIEWPOINT



What is a Zero Energy home, really?

HOUSING $

ENERGY $

HOUSING $+

ENERGY $

ENERGY $

UTILITY BILL

UTILITY BILL

MORTGAGE

MORTGAGE

CONVENTIONAL HOME ZERO ENERGY HOME

Which has more value?

AnnEdminster.comZERO ENERGY CONSULTING

clear GOAL+ right PEOPLE

+ right PROCESS

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