Zero Tolerance: No Energy Bills Allowed

Last month the DGBA had an opportunity to view the future standard of building performance at the TimberCreek Zero Energy House in Lewisville.  As part of the Department of Energy’s Building America Program, public tours were given to inspire change in residential building practices.  This open house has attracted 1,000’s of industry professionals and homeowners to see a surprisingly well sized and inviting home with a net zero energy performance.

What is a net zero energy home? When the annual output of energy generated on-site equals or exceeds the energy consumption from utilities, you have a net zero energy building or ZEB.  The home built by GreenCraft Builders and designed by William Peck & Assoc consumes 50-70% less energy than conventional homes.  Perhaps the total building system is out of reach for many but it was filled with practices that are easily adaptable and economical.  Advanced framing, air conditioned attics, passive solar systems, and renewable energy systems are among these emerging conventions in home construction.

It may be hard to measure the value of these advanced features but the peace of mind it provides the owner is beyond measure.  With predictable utility bills, a superior building envelope, and lower life cycle costs; they know that they will reap the benefits of their forward thinking.  What is never left unsaid at any green building forum is–what we call green building today will simply be called building in the future.  And after a day of training on the latest in residential building science, we would be fools to go on building the same way.  Builders are not the only source for advancing building construction.  Many homeowners are responsible for introducing new products to their builders via the growing resources online.  Hopefully, we too have provided a better framework for awareness of green building technologies.

There are many other topics covered at the  Project Zero seminar worthy of future discussion.  Look for my post on December 18th regarding the totally revamped 2011 Energy Star program presented by their National Director, Sam Rashkin.