1 U.S. Department of Energy – Developing a Net Zero Energy Home for All Americans University of Nebraska – August 6, 2009 Edward Pollock

2 Importance of Buildings Sector 39% of U.S. Carbon Emissions Industry & Transportation 992 MMTC (61%) Buildings 630 MMTC (39%) 40% of U.S. Primary Energy Consumption 72% of U.S. Electricity Total U.S. Energy Consumption 55% of U.S. Natural Gas

3 Building Technologies Mission Develop technologies, tools, and standards for making residential and commercial buildings and appliances more energy-efficient, productive, and affordable.

4 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 costs are provided as cost share by industry partners Building America – Residential Research

5 CO 2 Emissions ReductionCritical Peak DemandReduction in HVAC Capacity Incremental Home Operating Cost Zero Energy Home Goals Key Near Term Performance Indicators

6 Neutral Cost Goal: Increased Costs are Directly Offset by Utility Bill Savings Neutral Cost Line Incremental, Energy Related Mortgage & Replacement Costs Minimum Cost Point “Least Cost” Curve, Using Current Best Available Systems Source Energy Savings All Energy Related Costs, $ 50% Reference Building ZEH Systems Research Cost/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 (2006). BEopt(TM) Software for Building Energy Optimization: Features and Capabilities.

7 Goal of Zero Energy Home by Increase funding to enable simultaneous research in all five climate zones. Building America Research Goals Target (Energy Savings) by Climate Zones

8 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

9 9 Low High SEER AC/HP Low Cost Ground Source HP EC Windows Switchable Wall Coatings High R Windows Building Integrated Thermal Storage Community Scale Seasonal Storage Low Cost Cold Climate SDHW Cool Attics Residential Ice Storage Battery Storage MELS Control/Residential Energy Management System Next Gen Storage/ Individual House Integrated Desiccant/ Indirect Evap Exchanger (DEvap) Solar Assisted Heat Pumps (heating, hot water) Low Loss Hot Water Distribution Hot Water Heat Recovery Small, High Efficiency Condensing Combo Hot Water/Space Heating System Residential DC Power System Efficient Clothes Dryer AC with Dehumidification Mode Small Volume ZEH Air Handler Attic Integrated Night Sky Radiative Cooling Ductless Mini-splits Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Community- Scale CHP ZEH Benefit ZEH Risk Equipment and Components R&D is Required to Meet Needs of Zero Energy Homes

10 No-Go / Go Stage 2: Prototype House Evaluations Stage 3: Initial Community-Scale Evaluations (Joule) Development of Advanced Components (BT Emerging Technologies, Manufacturers, Other EERE Offices) Stage 1: System Performance Evaluations Reject No-Go / Go Reject No-Go / Go Reject Go/ No-Go ZEH Technology Pathways Analysis Final Evaluations In 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

11 6 teams Over 40,000 homes built to date (Best Practices series and case studies) Building America Research Results

12 Existing Homes 12 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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14 How can we increase the volume of retrofits? 14

15 ELIMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL HPwES Program

16 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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18 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

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

20 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

21 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

22 Technical and Marketing Resources

23 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

24 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.

25 Builders Challenge Homes Reach Net Zero in a Variety Of Ways Size Homes have ranged from 1200 to 4500 square feet of conditioned Space Price Range Homes have been priced as high end custom homes as well as affordable homes Builder Background Professional custom and production builders, as well as a university team have achieved NZEH. Energy Source NZEH homes have been a mix of all electric and gas/electric homes, all with on-site generation. Climate These homes have achieved net zero energy in both heating and cooling climates Builders Challenge Homes

26 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

27 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

28 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

29 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

30 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!

31 Contact Information Building America Web Site: Builders Challenge Website: Questions? Edward Pollock Builders Challenge