An Environmental Approach
A Demonstration "Eco-Home": Why Now?
- Energy: Fossil fuels are a non-renewable source of energy - reserves are shrinking rapidly, yet demand is still rising.
- Most energy used has associated greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming.
- Global Warming: Climate change is accelerating, greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions are still rising, and the U.S. produces the most greenhouse gas emissions per capita.
- Market-Driven: Consumer awareness is rising and more potential homebuyers want energy-efficient and "green" features in a new home.
- We have the knowledge and availability right now to build to standards that would reduce energy consumption by at least 50%, without drastically changing building materials or methods.
Buildings, Energy, and the Environment
- Buildings use fossil fuels: oil, coal, natural gas
- Building construction and operation account for close to 50% of all U.S. energy use (www.architecture2030.org)
Ecological Concepts Used to Define the Overall Approach for the Eco-Home
- Resource conservation
- Human health and comfort
- Reduced consumption of commercial electricity and natural gas
- Reduction of greenhouse gases and other emissions
- Increased use of the sun as a source of renewable, non-polluting energy
How the Ecological Concepts Translate Into Building Design and Construction
- Passive solar design
- Smaller than average house with a simpler footprint
- Increased insulation levels and thermal performance of the building envelope
- Active renewable energy systems: solar photovoltaic (PV) to generate electricity, solar thermal collection for domestic hot water and heating, and a wood stove for additional heating
- Installation of energy-efficient appliances and lighting
- Ventilation systems and materials specified to promote a healthy indoor environment for occupants
- Quantified consumption targets for low-energy building operation
Setting Goals, Reaching Goals
- Energy Star has become a well-known entity. Current Energy Star Homes have the target of 15% more efficient than the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC) (www.energystar.gov)
- The Eco-Home is 65% more efficient than the 2004 IRC
- It is designed to use about a third of the energy of a conventional new home
- Energy modeling with REMDesign guided and verified the efficiency targets
- Eco-Home operation: over 15,000 lbs of CO2 emissions can be avoided annually