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Zero Energy Home Participates in Green Buildings Open House | 25 Sep '08 from Adam

A net zero energy home in Truro, Massachusetts, will be open to the public as part of the NESEA Green Buildings Open House. The private residence is designed to produce as much energy as it uses each year.

Zero Energy HomeZero Energy Home 

Truro, MA (PRWEB) -- ZeroEnergy Design, an architectural design and mechanical engineering firm, will be showcasing their newly completed net zero energy home as part of both the 2008 Green Buildings Open House held annually by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) and the National Solar Energy Tour held annually by the American Solar Energy Association (ASEA) as sponsored by the US Department Of Energy.

 

The modern Cape Cod residence utilizes a combination of attributes to achieve net zero energy performance. First, energy requirements of the home are reduced by passive means, including attributes like staggered stud walls with foam insulation. Then the active systems throughout the house are selected for energy efficiency, such as the geothermal system which provides all of the heating and cooling. Lastly, renewable energy systems are sized to off-set the annual energy consumption as predicted by detailed energy modeling software. The end result is a grid tied home that utilizes net metering to spin its electric meter backwards and produces as much energy from renewable sources as it consumes.

 

With a sleek modern aesthetic created by ZeroEnergy Design, the oceanfront residence was constructed by Silvia & Silvia, custom builders, in collaboration with Light Th!s, a lighting design firm, NexAmp, renewable energy system experts, Heimarck & Foglia, landscape architects, GridPoint, an energy management appliance manufacturer, and utilizes panels from Evergreen Solar, a photovoltaic manufacturer.

 

The residence, located on Corn Hill in Truro, will be open to the public on Saturday October 4th from 10AM until 4PM. More information including directions can be found on the NESEA Green Buildings Open House listings website at www.nesea.org/buildings/openhouse/.

 

About ZeroEnergy Design: ZeroEnergy Design is a professional services firm providing Custom Home Design and Energy Design services for new green homes. The unique collaboration between in-house architectural designers, mechanical engineers, and financial analysts drives a competitive advantage and enables the firm to deliver fully integrated design and engineering for high performance homes. http://www.ZeroEnergy.com


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Zero Energy Home Specification Service Provides a Market Differentiator for Builders. | 27 Jun '08 from Adam

Net Zero Energy Systems DesignFirm offers service nationally that recommends materials and systems for builders to construct zero energy homes.

ZeroEnergy Design, an architectural design and mechanical engineering firm, offers services to differentiate builders during the current real estate market.  The firm helps builders to achieve net-zero energy performance for new residential construction projects in any location in the United States.

Zero energy homes produce as much power as they use over the course of a year. Depending on local net metering laws, homeowners often benefit with low or no utility bills on an annual basis. During a sluggish real estate market and with increasing energy prices, a zero energy home provides homeowners an attractive option typically unavailable in most markets.

The Energy Design service offered by the firm provides builders with an objective third party opinion on which improvements match their energy efficiency goals.  The process requires builders to submit plans and specifications for their construction project. With this information, ZeroEnergy Design constructs a detailed energy model and delivers a tailored report containing recommended improvements specific to their design and location.

“Achieving zero energy performance is challenging to accomplish in a cost effective manner.  Our firm leverages internal expertise with energy modeling, green home design, and mechanical engineering to make custom recommendations for each builder’s design, individual situation, location, and priorities.” said Jordan Goldman, Co-Founder and Engineering Principal.

The recommendations address improvements to the passive elements of a home such as construction systems, windows, insulation, orientation, and shading. Efficiency of active systems is also recommended and specified, including heating, cooling, hot water, lighting, appliances, and ventilation. Finally, renewable energy systems, such as solar electric, are specified to produce as much energy as the home consumes.   Recommendations are customized for the design submitted by the builder, the site plan, the builder’s priorities, and the local climate.

“For the typical homebuyer, the appeal of a green home is magnified when they hear it will produce as much energy as it uses. As energy prices rise, we anticipate a continuing increase in demand for zero energy homes.” said Goldman.


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