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U.S. Department of Energy – Developing a Net Zero Energy Homefor All Americans

University of Nebraska – August 6, 2009Edward Pollock

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Importance of Buildings Sector

100

105

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2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

(Qu

ads)

39% of U.S. Carbon Emissions39% of U.S. Carbon Emissions

Industry & Transportation

992 MMTC(61%)

Buildings630 MMTC(39%)

40% of U.S. Primary Energy Consumption40% of U.S. Primary Energy Consumption

72% of U.S. Electricity72% of U.S. Electricity

Total U.S. Energy ConsumptionTotal U.S. Energy Consumption

55% of U.S. Natural Gas55% of U.S. Natural Gas

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Building Technologies Mission

Develop technologies, tools, and standards for making residential

and commercial buildings and appliances more energy-efficient,

productive, and affordable.

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Building America is a public/private partnership focused on systems-based R&D, technology implementation, and cost-shared technical support sponsored* by the US Department of Energy with the goal of developing marketable designs for homes that produce as much energy as they use.

What is Building America?

* All building construction and material costsare provided as cost share by industry partners

Building America – Residential Research

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CO2 Emissions Reduction

Critical Peak DemandReduction in HVAC Capacity

Incremental Home Operating Cost

Zero Energy Home GoalsKey Near Term Performance Indicators

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Neutral Cost Goal: Increased Costs are Directly Offset by Utility Bill Savings

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Fig. 1: Conceptual plot of the path to ZNE.

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Fig. 1: Conceptual plot of the path to ZNE.

Neutral Cost Line

Incremental, Energy Related Mortgage& Replacement Costs

Minimum Cost Point

“Least Cost” Curve, Using Current Best Available Systems

Source Energy Savings

All E

nerg

y Re

late

d Co

sts,

$

50%

ReferenceBuilding

ZEH Systems ResearchCost/Performance Target

Christensen, C.; Anderson, R.; Horowitz, S.; Courtney, A.; Spencer, J. (2006). BEopt(TM) Software for Building Energy Optimization: Features and Capabilities. 21 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-550-39929.

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Building America Research Goals

Target (Energy Savings) by Climate Zones

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Component Gaps and Needs

Durable high R wall systems, including very efficient windows

Very high performance heating and air conditioning systems with tight ducts in conditioned space

Technologies for reducing miscellaneous electric energy use

More efficient domestic hot water systems, such as solar hot water systems and heat pump water heaters

More efficient lighting technologies, including solid state lighting

99Low

Low

High

Hig

h

HighSEERAC/HP

Low CostGround SourceHP

EC Windows

Switchable Wall Coatings

High R Windows

BuildingIntegratedThermalStorage

CommunityScaleSeasonalStorage

Low CostCold ClimateSDHW

CoolAttics

ResidentialIce StorageBattery

Storage

MELS Control/ResidentialEnergy ManagementSystem

Next GenStorage/IndividualHouse

Integrated Desiccant/Indirect Evap Exchanger(DEvap)

Solar AssistedHeat Pumps(heating, hot water)

Low LossHot WaterDistribution

Hot WaterHeat Recovery

Small, High Efficiency Condensing Combo Hot Water/Space Heating System

Residential DCPower System

Efficient Clothes Dryer

AC withDehumidificationMode

Small VolumeZEH Air Handler

Attic IntegratedNight SkyRadiative Cooling

DuctlessMini-splits

Cold ClimateAir SourceHeat Pump

Community-ScaleCHP

ZEH Benefit

ZEH

Ris

k Equipment and Components R&D is Required to Meet

Needs of Zero Energy Homes

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No-Go / Go

Stage 2: Prototype House Evaluations

Stage 3: Initial Community-Scale Evaluations (Joule)

Development of AdvancedComponents

(BT Emerging Technologies,Manufacturers, Other EERE

Offices)

Stage 1: System Performance Evaluations Reject

Reject No-Go / Go

Reject No-Go /Go

RejectGo/No-Go

ZEH Technology Pathways Analysis

Final EvaluationsIn Occupied Homes

Documentation and Resource

Development Products

Handoff for Deployment by: DOE Communications, Energy Star, PATH, NASULGC, NASEO, SEP, ASSERTI, EEBA, Universities, Community Colleges, NAHB Bldg Sys Council, & other organizations

Go/No-Go

Reject

Residential Integration System Research Process

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• 6 teams

• Over 40,000 homes built to date (Best Practices series and case studies)

Building America Research Results

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Existing Homes

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• Over 50,000 homes’ energy performance improved since 2003 – 20% – 40% or more

•Programs in 25+ states

•Utilities and state energy offices sponsoring

• Over 20 states considering using ARRA funds to support activities, even more cities

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How can we increase the volume of retrofits?

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ELIMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL HPwES Program

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Good News, Bad News

• The good news: With today’s best technologies and practices,

new homes can be at least 30% more efficient than code at no

additional cost to owners

• The better news: Technology advances will enable cost-neutral,

net-zero energy homes by 2020 (at least 60% more efficient than

code; balance of energy from onsite renewables)

• The bad news: Few homes are being built to these performance

levels because of lack of consumer awareness/market pull, and

unrealistic perceived increases in first cost

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What is the Builders Challenge?

The Builders Challenge recognizes energy leadership and enables excellence in homebuilding:

• The EnergySmart Home Scale (E-Scale) provides an

“MPG” display of superior energy performance

• Quality Criteria ensures optimal occupant health, safety,

and comfort with increase building durability

• Technical resources increase skills for high-performance,

high-quality homes

• Marketing tools and resources help gain recognition for

excellence

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EnergySmart Home Scale

The E-Scale: A market-tested method to measure and communicate energy performance in homes.

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• Builders Challenge qualified homes may use a special E-Scale with the Building America/Builders Challenge logo and “meets the Builders Challenge” banner.

EnergySmart Home Scale

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Key Elements

1. Clear way to measure, verify, and convey home energy

performance

2. Transparent process for builders of all sizes, in all regions, to

join the Challenge and be active

3. Abundant technical and marketing resources enabling

builders to use “best practices” from Building America R&D

4. Strong partnerships with associations, NGOs, states, brokers,

and researchers

5. Increased consumer outreach to drive demand

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Technical and Marketing Resources

www.buildingamerica.gov

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Builders Challenge Accomplishments

• Almost 1700 homes labeled from 97 builders in ~ 1 year

• Participation of both small and national builders

• Over $1.5 million per year in energy cost savings (based on HERS software calculations)

• Average HERS 63

• 5 NZEH or better from 4 builders

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Net Zero and Beyond

• Five homes have been labeled under the Builders Challenge with HERS Indices ≤ 0.

• Three of these homes have been HERS negative (net producers)

• These homes are able to use the E-scale to establish their homes as the best energy performers on the market.

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Builders Challenge Homes Reach Net Zero in a Variety Of Ways

SizeHomes have ranged from 1200 to 4500 square feet of conditioned Space

Price RangeHomes have been priced as high end custom homes as well as affordable homes

Builder BackgroundProfessional custom and production builders, as well as a university team have achieved NZEH.

Energy SourceNZEH homes have been a mix of all electric and gas/electric homes, all with on-site generation.

ClimateThese homes have achieved net zero energy in both heating and cooling climates

Builders Challenge Homes

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Artistic Homes Albuquerque, New Mexico

- Offer net zero energy guarantee

- The ZEH upgrade sells for

$42,500 to $61,900 depending on

square footage

- A 1400 SF home with the

complete zero energy package

starts at $207k

NZEH Examples

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• 1,666 SF of conditioned space

• Envelope:

– R-21 blown insulation in walls

– R-50 blown attic insulation

– Advanced framing

– Low-E, dual pane windows

– Air sealing with spray foam & gaskets

• HVAC

– 15 SEER, 9 HSPF Heat Pump

– Energy recovery ventilator (ERV)

– Jump ducts for pressure balancing

– Ducts in conditioned space

• Renewables

– 4.2 to 7 kW of PV (depending on home size)

– Solar thermal hot water

• Other

– LEED Platinum

– Energy Star Indoor Air Quality Certification

• Sold at an affordable price point

NZEH Specifications – Artistic Homes

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NZEH Example – Yavapai College

• 1,207 SF of conditioned space

• High efficiency thermal envelope

• Energy Star appliances and lighting

• Solar light tube

• Solar water heater

• PV on-site generation

• Worked with Habitat for Humanity

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NZEH Example John Wesley Miller

• 2,457 SF of conditioned space

• High efficiency thermal envelope

• Air sealing• Solar hot water collector• Tankless hot water heater• PV

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Raising the Bar

• Builders Challenge NZEH homes

push competitors toward zero

• Encourage builders to adopt the E-

scale and Builders Challenge

• Encourage Challenge Builders to

lower their scores

• Shows builders and consumers it’s

within reach!

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Contact Information