Neelabh Pareek Charles Sie Leif Richmond Mike Rihl 2

 The goal of the project was to: › Design a Net zero energy home › Build a small scale model › Present our findings  Important Features › Efficient use of resources › Photovoltaic system › High Insulation 3

Location (city, state)Harrisburg, Pennsylvania House size (floor area in square feet)1,850-square foot. Number of floors2 floors Number of occupants4 Number of bedrooms3 Type of heating system (forced air, hydronic, radiant floor, heat pump, etc.Geothermal Heat Pump Main heating fuel (electricity, natural gas, wood, oil, etc.)Electricity Size of photovoltaic system (kilowatts)7.2 kW Solar water heater (yes or no)Yes R-value of wall insulation49 R-value of ceiling insulation60 Ventilation air heat recovery (yes or no)Yes Predicted annual energy use9386 kWh Predicted NET annual energy use-75 kWh 4

 We learned that our house needs: › High Insulation, a large photovoltaic system and very tight windows  Looking at other designs, we learned that: › Due to the size of our house, we realized that the things that played the biggest roles in the heat envelope were the insulation and the HVAC › Without these the house would lose more heat and use up more energy 5

 The houses we researched all had: 6 Location (city, state)Cool Climate House size (floor area in square feet)The sizes of the houses varied Number of floors2 floors Number of occupantsThis varied but it was always either 2 or 4 people Number of bedrooms3 Type of heating system (forced air, hydronic, radiant floor, heat pump, etc. Geothermal Heat Pump (this was the overwhelming choice) Main heating fuel (electricity, natural gas, wood, oil, etc.)Electricity Size of photovoltaic system (kilowatts) The size of the photovoltaic system varied, 3 to 8 kW, depending on the size of the house but the bigger the house, the bigger the system was generally the case) Solar water heater (yes or no) Some had these but from what we saw, this was a great addition to the house R-value of wall insulation49 (this was the highest R-value we saw) R-value of ceiling insulation60 (this was the highest R-value we saw) Ventilation air heat recovery (yes or no) Yes (some did not have this but the ones that did were far more energy efficient) Predicted annual energy use9386 kWh (value for our house) Predicted NET annual energy use-75 kWh (value for our house)

 Heat Loss  Appliances  HVAC  Solar Tech  Behavior 7

 Heat Loss › There are many factors that effect the heat envelope. These factors are mainly the insulation on the walls, ceiling, and windows. Electrical appliances also give off heat(for example, light bulbs give off light and heat) The HVAC helps use minimum energy to keep the house warm(will be discussed in slide 8

 Appliances › We learned a few things from the research on appliances that we did. We learned that often times the most efficient choice is not the best choice. This is because we saw in a few different types of appliances that the best option was not much more efficient but it was very expensive compared to the second most efficient choice. For example, the best choice for the refrigerator was Whirlpool- GS5VHAXWB. The second best choice was the GE- GSL25IGX. If we picked the first choice, it would take 61 years for us to make back that extra cost. Even if it is more efficient, it is not the best choice for our home. 9 Our choice: Dishwasher: Bosch SHX68E05UC Refrigerator: GE- GSL25IGX Washing Machine: Kenmore 4757 Front load TV: 46” Bravia EX700 series

 HVAC › We learned a lot about the heating systems in the house. One thing especially was the Ventilation Air Heat Recovery. The VAHR essentially uses the exhaust air (which is leaving at a higher temp. than the room) to heat the new air that is entering the house (which is at a temp. much lower than room temp.). This process uses already used energy to “pre-heat” the air before it enters the heater. This saves the heater a lot of energy. It also saves people cash. › We also learned about the Ground Source Heat Pump. After researching many different kinds of heating units, we learned that the Ground Source Heat Pump is the most efficient. Though expensive, this type of heating system is the most efficient type on the market. This pump puts out 3 to 5 times the amount of energy it takes in. Even though it is expensive, it saves money in the long run. 10

 Solar Technologies › Our PV system is a 7.2 kW system. It is a fairly large system which puts out about 9461 kWh. This system is almost always put on the south roof because that is the roof that gets the most sun. › As you can see in the picture, the south roof is a mixture between solar panels and sky- lights (and a solar water heating unit) This mixture allows for both passive solar energy and a large PV system. 11

 Solar Water Heater › The installation of a solar water heater, will save an average of 50%–80% on monthly heating bills. Solar water heaters also protect the buyer from price spikes in the fuel consumption market. › A new 30-year mortgage usually amounts to between $13 and $20 per month with a addition of a solar water heater. The federal income tax deduction for mortgage interest attributable to the solar system reduces that by about $3–$5 per month. So if your fuel savings are more than $15 per month, the solar investment is profitable immediately. On a monthly basis, you're saving more than you're paying. (US Department of Energy)

13 Top Right – Front of the house Above – Back of the house Right – South facing side

14 Above – First floor Left – Second floor

 Summer Solstice › June 21 st 2:30 p.m. 15 South windows are covered in shadows which keep the house cool in the summer.

 Winter solstice › December 21 st 2:30 p.m. 16 South windows have plenty of sun which keeps the house warm during winter.

 Solar equinox › March 20 th and September 23 rd 2:30 p.m. 17

18 Top Right – Back of the house (plus Hot tub) Above – Front of the house Bottom Right – South facing roof

 The important aspects of our design were: › The large south facing roof with a 7.2 kW PV system › The numerous windows on the south sides allowed passive solar energy › The solar water heater allows for a hot tub that is systemically separate from the house (it can heat its water from the solar water heater and uses little electricity from a solar panel) 19

 The greatest challenge of making this: › was the interior designing portion of the house. It was difficult to find ways to use the area of the house properly. › was finding the right kind of house. We ended up choosing a saltbox type of house because the rear roof could be used for the PV system 20

 The favorite features of the house were: › The skylights which allow a nice amount of sun for the second floor › The large amount of windows › The large roof with a 7.2 kW PV system › The solar powered hot tub 21

 The most important take away lessons were: › One cannot just buy the best “green” equipment and feel fulfilled with his contribution; one must be ready to live the lifestyle › For example, a person must learn to not waste electricity by leaving the light on when he/she leaves the house.  These kinds of attitudes are often more green than buying some super efficient appliance. The overall attitude of the people in the house make a huge difference. “In houses that face the South, the sun penetrates the portico in winter” ~ Socrates

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