Zero Energy Homes
How will zero energy homes become a part of
mainstream America?
Zero energy homes, or homes that produce as much energy as they
consume, can be built as one-off projects today. But, they don't
make sense for builders on a production scale, and they aren't
affordable for most hom
ebuyers.
Ultimately, the Alliance wants to make sure that these homes can
be built cost-effectively on a massive scale, while delivering the
other fundamentals of a quality house that homeowners expect such
as comfort, safety, and clean air and water. To that end, we've
launched the Zero Energy Lab Home program, a multi-year research
effort in which we'll be looking at production-focused strategies
for zero energy homes in four U.S. climate zones.
In April of 2010, IBACOS and S&A Homes began construction of
the Alliance's first Lab Home in Pittsburgh, collaborating with the
U.S. Department of Energy's Building America program and more than
30 trade contractors and material suppliers. Learn more about that
project here.
With the Pittsburgh Lab Home and others, we'll be evaluating our
success against three key criteria:
-
Performance - Can our whole house solutions
maximize conservation and produce the remaining energy needed
through renewable sources? Do they also deliver a home that is
comfortable, safe, healthly, durabile, and environmentally
friendly?
-
Constructability - Mass adoption requires
practical design. Are the necessary products and trade skills
readily available? What are the impacts on construction cycle time
and sequencing in a production environment?
-
Cost - Are these homes affordable to build
and to own?
Interested in becoming part of the research
process? Become a member
of the Best Practices Research Alliance, and access information as
research is happening.