Energy Free

Homes for a Small Planet

by Ann V. Edminster

Foreword by Peter Yost

Table of Contents

List of Figures xiii

Acronyms and Abbreviations xvi

Foreword xix

Preface xxi

Chapter 1 What’s It All About? 1

Why ZEH? 1

Which Energy Use? 2

• Components of household energy use 3
• Personal transportation 4
• Other components of household energy use 5
• So, what to include? 7

What Does It Mean To Be Net-Zero Energy? 8

• Off-grid, on-grid? 8
• Where is the energy produced? 9
• How is the energy measured? 10
• Choosing a definition 13

How Do You Get There? 16

Chapter 2 Net-Zero Home Economics 19

Making Choices Instead of Paying Premiums for Greener Buildings 20

Net Cost of Ownership – Who Pays, Who Benefits? 27

• Homeowner-builder/long-term owner 28
• Speculative builder 29
• Multifamily affordable housing projects 31
• Bottom line 34

Other Multifamily Findings 34

Incentives and Innovative Financial Arrangements 35

Payback – the Relative Cost-efficiency of Various Options 36

• First, the conventional wisdom 36
• A contrarian view 37
• What about your project? 38
• Relative cost-effectiveness 41

CHAPTER 3 Integrated Design 45

What Is Integrated Design, and Why Does It Matter? 45

The Integrated Process 47

Phases of the Process 49

• Phase 1. Setting Goals 50
• Phase 2. Building Your Team 52
• Phase 3. Launching the Process 58
• Phase 4. Promoting Teamwork 60
• Phase 5. Working through the Design 66

Does Integrated Design Cost More? 69

A Footnote about Construction 71

CHAPTER 4 Minimize the Energy Your Building Needs 73

The Basics 73

• Size matters 73
• Form factors: the influence of context 75
• Siting 77
• Massing 77
• Orientation 77

Enclosure Design 78

• What is a Passive House? 79
• Air sealing 81
• Walls, roofs, and floors 86
• Foundations 94
• Doors and windows 95
• Assemblies and layering 101

Comfort Strategies and Systems 103

• Heating 106
• Cooling 115

Prioritizing Elements 122

Hot Water 126

• Water heating equipment 126
• Hot water delivery 129
• Drain water heat recovery 130
• Hot water use 131
• Multifamily considerations 131

CHAPTER 5 Minimize the Occupants’ Energy Needs 137

Major Appliances 138

• Induction cooktops 138
• Refrigerators 140
• Dishwashers 141
• Clothes washers and dryers 142

Lighting 145

• Fixtures 147
• Table and standing lamps 150
• Controls 151
• Using your lights 151

Water Use 152

• Bathrooms 152
• Kitchens 154
• Gardens 154
• Pools and spas 156
• Using less 157

Household Gadgets 157

• Be aware and buy wisely (or not at all) 159
• After buying: tips for minimizing plug loads 161

Automation 162

Managing Heating and Other Systems 164

Monitoring and Behavior 165

• Simple plug-in electric meters 166
• Whole-home electricity monitors 167
• Smart electric metering dashboards 167
• Multi-system dashboards 168

Occupant Education 171

CHAPTER 6 Power the Rest 175

Solar Hot Water 177

• Do you need separate storage? 179
• Estimating hot water demand and storage 180
• Estimating collector size 181
• Choosing a collector 182
• Passive or active? Open loop or closed? 183
• Should you include a solar thermal system? 184
• Other applications 186

Renewable Electricity 187

• Fuel choices: all-electric? 187

Solar Electricity: Photovoltaics 189

• PV options 190
• System sizing 192

Wind Turbines 196

• Building-integrated wind 198
• Turbine selection 200

Backup Power 202

Hybrids 203

Other Options 203

Choosing a Renewable System 203

Community Issues 204

APPENDIX A Resources / Bibliography 209

APPENDIX B Case Study Resources 221

APP ENDIX C National High-Performance Home Programs 227

APP ENDIX D Green Building Advisor 231