Zero Energy Homes - HVAC & DHW

Check out this video to learn about selecting efficient water heating and space heating and cooling systems for your zero energy home.

Zero Energy Homes - Windows

Check out this video to learn about best practices for window selection for zero energy homes!

Zero Energy Homes - Air Sealing

Check out this video to learn more about air sealing best practices for zero energy homes and tips for lowering your blower door number!

Zero Energy Homes - Blower Door Test

“If you’re not testing, you’re just guessing!”

Watch this video to learn more about what blower door testing is and why it is important to achieve zero energy homes.

Zero Energy Homes - Roofs

Here are 5 features of zero energy homes roofs.

1. Air sealed joints and penetrations through the ceiling

2. R-49+ insulation for a flat attic

3. R-38+ insulation for a vaulted attic

4. Exterior insulation aka outsulation for a vaulted attic to reduce thermal bridging through the rafters

5. Durable roofing such as metal or composition shingles

Zero Energy Homes - Walls

First of all, if you don’t want to read about advanced wall systems and their benefits, watch the video!

Second, here is a written overview of what we discussed in the video.

1. Current code minimum in Oregon is 2x6 wall framing with R-21 insulation

2. Zero energy homes require higher R-value walls that are well air sealed

3. Some states are starting to require 1” R-5 exterior insulation known as a thermal break shear wall

4. There are cost effective sheathing materials that integrate insulation and the weather resistive barrier (WRB) into one product that require less labor to install

5. Advanced wall systems include exterior insulation, double stud walls and ICF (insulating concrete forms).

6. Advanced framing includes 2 stud corners, stacked framing at 24” o.c., insulated headers, ladder blocking, raised heel trusses, and plumbing and electrical runs in interior walls.

Contact us to figure out which of these solutions is best for your project!

Zero Energy Homes - Foundations

Here are 3 features of zero energy foundations.

1. Insulation under slabs - R-15 minimum for radiant slabs, R-10 minimum for unheated slabs

2. Air sealed joints and penetrations in framed floor

3. R-38 minimum insulation in framed floor

Zero Energy Homes - ICF Construction

Here are 3 reasons ICF construction contributes to zero energy homes.

1. Airtight walls minimize drafts and vapor flow

2. Expanded polystyrene insulation creates a thermal break that minimizes heat loss during the winter and heat gain during the summer

3. Concrete core is a thermal mass that stores energy

Zero Energy Homes - Design Best Practices

Here are 5 design best practices for zero energy homes.

1. Choose a compact and simple design

2. Orient home on an east-west axis

3. Locate bedrooms to the east, kitchen to the north and living to the south/west

4. Reserve a minimum of 200 sq.ft. of clear south, southeast or southwest roof area for solar

5. Provide summer shading on south and southwest walls via vegetation or awnings

Zero Energy Homes Overview

Zero energy homes use renewable energy to power all of the energy loads in the home. Follow the steps below to achieve low energy loads during construction before adding renewable energy. Existing homes can be retrofitted to be zero energy as well.

Here are 12 steps to take to achieve zero energy in new construction.

1. Start with smart design

2. Orient for sun tempering

3. Optimize with energy modeling

4. Super-seal the envelope

5. Super-insulate the envelope

6. Select optimum window efficiency

7. Ensure clean, fresh air

8. Specify high-performance heating and cooling

9. Heat water wisely

10. Select high-efficiency lighting

11. Choose efficient appliances

12. Use renewable energy