Zero energy homes combine energy efficiency and on-site solar energy production to consume no net energy on an annual basis. They achieve this through advanced insulation, air sealing, efficient appliances and lighting, and solar panels. Zero energy homes provide benefits like lower utility bills, improved comfort, health, and quality of life for occupants. They also help combat climate change by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Construction of zero energy homes uses a 12 step process that emphasizes design, energy modeling, a tight building envelope, and maximizing energy efficiency and renewable energy.

1. NET ZERO ENERGY
BUILDINGS
NET ZERO ENERGY
HOMES
MECHANICAL-M-T1 ( IV YEAR)PRESENTED BY:RIYA

2. What is

3.  A zero energy home is not just a “green home”
or a home with solar panels.
 A zero energy home combines advanced
design and superior building systems with
energy efficiency and on-site solar panels to
produce a better home.
 Zero energy homes are ultra-comfortable,
healthy, quiet, sustainable homes that are
affordable to live in.

4.  Zero Energy Homes are Available Everywhere
in Every Size and Style
 Zero Energy Homes are Healthier, More
Comfortable Homes
 Zero Energy Homes Save You Money from Day
One
 Zero Energy Homes are Quality Homes
 Zero Energy Home Certification Protects You
from “Green-washing”
 Zero Energy Ready Homes Help You Plan for
the Future
 Carbon Free and Climate Friendly

5.  Insulation:
 The simplest measure on the path to zero energy involves
increasing the insulation for the floors, walls and ceilings
using standard insulation practices to meet the R-values
set by the energy modeling.
 Air Sealing:
 One of the most cost effective measures involves air
sealing the building envelope to eliminate air leaks from
the building structure itself and from around windows,
doors, electrical outlets, plumbing fixtures and all other
building penetrations.
 Air sealing is usually done with commonly used caulking
compounds and foam products. Blower door
technology to create a pressure differential within the
building makes it much easier to detect air leaks, either by
feeling the air flow or with a smoke stick.

6.  Heating and Cooling:
 Ground-source and air-source heat pumps are effective energy
efficient technologies for heating and cooling.
 Air-source heat pumps can now heat a building at outside
temperatures as low as -10F.
 Outside air can be used for cooling, using economizers
connected to the HVAC system or automated windows.
 Lighting:
 A well-designed zero energy building will take advantage of
natural light by using properly oriented windows and louvres to
direct the light where needed, while blocking heat when not
needed.
 When artificial light is needed, LED Lights and point of use
lighting greatly reduce the artificial lighting energy use and
costs, while increasing lighting quality.
 Automatic lighting controls can lower or turn off artificial lighting
when natural light is sufficient.

7.  Windows:
 Double and triple pane windows are available with low-
emissivity coatings that help capture or reject solar heat.
 Thermally-enhanced aluminum window frames reduce
conductive heat transfer and can be very tight fitting,
reducing air leaks and reducing external noise.
 Shading Systems:
 Zero energy buildings are usually designed with roof
overhangs or fixed awnings that are carefully calculated to
shade the summer sun, but allow in the winter sun for solar
tempering.
 This reduces heating and cooling costs and optimizes natural
lighting.
 Automated internal shades use sensors to determine the
need for blocking or allowing in sunlight depending on the
heating or lighting needs.
 Electrochromic and thermochromic windows darken when
direct sunlight hits, which helps control heat, brightness, and
glare.

8.  Appliances:
 Appliances, such as dish washers, dryers, and stoves, should
be selected for the highest energy efficiency at the lowest cost,
using those with ENERGY STAR ratings when possible.
 High RPM washers spin so fast that most of the water is
squeezed out of the laundry, making drying the clothes much
quicker.
 Induction stove tops and heat pump driers are exciting energy-
saving technologies already in use.
 Ventilation:
 Because zero energy buildings are so airtight, an energy
efficient heat recovery ventilation system is required to provide
fresh filtered air.
 Since studies have shown that indoor air quality is worse than
outdoor air quality, a ventilation system improves the health and
wellbeing of the building occupants.

9. Solar PV:
 Based on energy modeling, the photovoltaic
system is best sized after all other energy saving
measures have been determined.
 Photovoltaic systems are extremely durable and
long lasting and their price has come down
significantly.
 They produce DC current that is converted to AC
by an inverter so it can be used for normal building
uses.
 Using net metering, when the photovoltaic array
makes more energy than is needed, it is exported
to the grid and when it needs energy, it draws from
the grid.

10. Building Integrated Photovoltaics:
 Large multi-story commercial buildings may have too
small a roof area for the number of solar panels
required to meet the building’s energy needs.
 In such cases, PV panels can be integrated into other
building surfaces. There are even window glazing
systems that use photovoltaic technology to generate
electricity.
On-site Batteries:
 All buildings pay for the energy they buy from the
utility grid based on rates determined by demand.
 On-site batteries can dramatically reduce demand
charges by storing excess solar energy that is used
for the high-rate periods of peak demand.

11. Energy Efficient Workstations:
 Using day lighting, workstations can be brightly
lit using little energy.
 When natural light is not sufficient, point of use
LED desk lights are very efficient. Energy-
efficient lap top computers can be used, and
phantom loads reduced.

12. Zero Energy Construction Costs:
•However, according to EERE zero energy Habitat for
Humanity homes for low-income families can be built for
less than standard Habitat homes.
• To achieve these goals in large projects, Energy
Performance Based Procurement guidelines, based on
energy modeling, can be followed.
Return on Investment in Dollars:
Even when zero energy building costs are higher, they
will cost less to own, because the added cost for the
energy improvements over and above the costs of a
similar standard building, when rolled into the mortgage,
will lead to a smaller additional monthly mortgage cost
than the savings on energy each month.

13. Return on Investment in Quality of Life:
 Zero energy buildings have fresh filtered air, are
draft free, have even temperatures, and are
better lighted and quieter—all of which improve
the health and well-being of the occupants.
 The wellbeing of employees is a significant
benefit to the bottom line of owners. All the
technology for zero energy buildings is currently
available and in wide use.
 Zero energy buildings cost less to own than
similar standard buildings, enhance the quality of
life of the occupants, and are essential to
meeting the world’s climate goals. It is simple,
available, winning technology, whose time has
come.

14.  Carbon Free and Climate Friendly
 Global climate change is today’s most pressing
issue and most Americans favor taking
meaningful action.
 Buildings alone are responsible for 40% of the
total energy used in the United States.
 Zero energy homes are one of the cornerstones
of a reduced carbon future that is not reliant on
fossil fuels.
 With a zero energy home, you control where
your home’s energy comes from with every flip
of the light switch, every day.

17. AFFORDABLE ZERO ENERGY HOME
CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN IN 12 STEPS
 Start with Smart Design
 Use Energy Modeling
 Super-Seal the Building Envelope
 Super-Insulate the Building Envelope
 Heat Water Wisely Use Highly Insulated
Windows and Doors
 Use the Sun for Solar Tempering
 Create an Energy Efficient, Fresh Air Supply

18.  Select an Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling
System
 Install Energy Efficient Lighting
 Select Energy Efficient Appliances and
Electronics
 Use the Sun for Renewable Energy