Earth Advantage's Green Building Consultants and Energy Modelers are currently designing a cost effective package of energy efficiency upgrades, home design tips, and solar PV tips and specs for speculative / production builders to pursue our rigorous
Zero Energy Ready home certification standard. With recent advances in heat pump technology for space heating and water heating, LED lighting, and solar PV production, Zero Energy Ready homes are now within reach for many cutting edge builders.
Before we get too far into the details, let's first define the Earth Advantage Zero Energy program. Zero Energy homes create the same amount of energy they use on an annual basis through on-site renewable power generation. Compliance is demonstrated through the use of the same predictive energy modeling software we use to calculate energy points within the Earth Advantage Home Certification program as well as incentives for Energy Trust of Oregon's Energy Performance Score program. Installation of solar photovoltaic (pv) panels with an estimated first year annual energy production on-site that is 90%, or greater, of the predicted annual energy usage of the home is certifiable Earth Advantage Zero Energy. A Zero Energy Ready home is the same as the house described previously but does not have the solar panels installed yet. However, a proposal from a solar contractor demonstrates the ability of the available roof area to support a future solar pv system capable of meeting 90%, or more, of the home’s load (annual energy usage) in the first year of the future solar system’s production. A Zero Energy Ready home also must complete
Energy Trust of Oregon's Solar Ready Checklist to ensure a painless transition into zero energy performance down the road. In order to offer the same sustainable benefits Earth Advantage homebuyers have learned to expect, both Earth Advantage Zero Energy and Zero Energy Ready homes are also required to earn our Platinum certification as a base.
If you consider zero energy on an annual basis to be a basic algebraic equation of "energy in equals energy out" it's very important to note that climate zone, solar access, and design / layout of any given home can make or break the effectiveness of any given package of energy efficiency upgrades. That said, we believe that we can create a basic list of recommended energy efficiency that should work in most Pacific Northwest climate zones. Our preliminary research is showing that designs with ample solar access and a solid attempt at south loading windows with well designed overhangs could potentially earn the esteemed designation of zero energy using conventional 2x6 wall systems and the best performing double pane windows. We're also finding simple wall upgrades that conventional framers and siders can construct and triple pane window upgrades that cost as little as $1200 per home. In addition, Earth Advantage is currently conducting research around new air barrier systems that might also help drive the overall cost down for zero energy ready homes. Be on the lookout for future articles about our findings in this exciting work.
To encourage the adoption of this program, Earth Advantage is currently consulting for as little as $200 per home. Find out which upgrades are the most cost effective for your unique site and design. Utilize our Zero Energy marketing materials and provide your customer with a custom bamboo plaque in addition to the traditional paper certificate. If you have a home site, and/or subdivision you think might be a good candidate contact your Green Building Consultant today.
