Many residential codes and ratings today are based on the goal of minimizing energy use. Some codes are going beyond simply minimizing though, so it’s important to be prepared. In this advanced session, our highly-informed and passionate panel will describe the cost-effective approaches they’ve developed to help single family builders achieve zero net energy (NZE) homes as painlessly as possible, and how you can, too, regardless of where in the country you are building.

1. Zero Net Energy: Cost Effective Solutions
JANUARY 20, 2016 || 10:00AM – 11:00 AM
Presenters:
Jon Webb || KEPHART, Denver, CO
Steve Easley || Steve Easley & Associates, Danville, CA
Ann Edminster || Design AVEnues LLC, Pacifica, CA
Gene Myers || Thrive Home Builders, Denver, CO

2. Session Description
Many residential codes and ratings today are based on the goal of
minimizing energy use. Some codes are going beyond simply
minimizing though, so it’s important to be prepared. In this advanced
session, our highly-informed and passionate panel will describe the
cost-effective approaches they’ve developed to help single family
builders achieve zero net energy (NZE) homes as painlessly as
possible, and how you can, too, regardless of where in the country
you are building.

3. Learning Outcomes
 Analyze key elements of successful ZNE design and construction
that can be incorporated today to differentiate your homes from the
competition.
 Discuss ZNE standards currently being adopted, providing advance
insight into codes likely to spread throughout the U.S. in years to come.
 Review illustrated examples of recommendations developed for
production builders to cost-effectively adapt their existing designs to
meet ZNE requirements.
 Explore why organizational capacity-building, and not adoption of
risky new technologies, is the key to an effective transition to achieving
ZNE.

4. American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Continuing Professional Education
Credit(s) earned on completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA
members upon completion of the AIA/CES Session Participation Forms found in
the back of this session room and online at www.BuildersShow.com. Certificates of
Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon
request.
This course is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As
such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an
approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method
or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at
the conclusion of this presentation.

5. Part 1 – Steve Easley:
Smart Planning & Easy Tips to Create
Cost Efficient Zero Energy Homes
Image

6. Smart Planning & Easy Tips to Create Cost
Efficient Zero Energy Homes

7. Not only are these 60 panels near vertical…..

8. They Face North...
North

10. 33% Homes Sold in 2014 Were HERS Rated
Copyright Steve Easley, 2015

11. Integrated Design
Copyright Steve Easley, 2014

12. Design, installation and measurement of
performance is critical!

14. Copyright Steve Easley, 2014

15. Copyright Steve Easley, 2014

16. Top 8 reasons Homes Don’t Perform as Expected
High window to wall area ratio
Non-code compliant glazing choices
High framing factor, thermal bridging
Ineffective air barrier system
Poorly installed insulation
Focus is primarily on cavities
Poorly designed/installed HVAC
DHWH & Lighting is an afterthought

17. Knee wall Demonstration
Copyright Steve Easley, 2015

18. R-11 perfect R-19 poor R-13 perfect No Insulation
R 1.78
Copyright Steve Easley, 2015

22. Copyright Steve Easley, 2014

23. Is this wall really R-20.5?
Copyright Steve Easley, 2014

24. Impact of Windows
Courtesy fp innovations
Copyright Steve Easley, 2014

25. Heat Loss
Heat Gain
Daylight
Infiltration

26. Thermal Bridging Exterior
Copyright Steve Easley, 2014

27. SCE - ZNE Homes Series - Part 3

29. Copyright Steve Easley, 2014

30. Air Leakage
Copyright Steve Easley, 2015

31. Copyright Steve Easley, 2014

32. Copyright Steve Easley, 2014

33. Can-Less Down Lights
Copyright Steve Easley, 2014

34. Focus On
Envelope/enclosure
Installation of insulation, air sealing & testing
Glass ratios
Advanced framing
HVAC
Design and ducts in conditioned space
measured performance
Lighting
Plug loads

35. Aren't you hot in that suit?

36. Part 2 – Ann Edminster:
What’s the story with
Zero Energy Homes?

37. 407 projects
3,331 buildings
6,074 units …
and counting!
ZEROENERGYisGROWING
andinmanyCLIMATEZONES
http://netzeroenergycoalition.com/ zero-energy-case-studies/

38. WHEREZEROENERGYis
happeningFASTEST

39. ZERO ENERGY is GLOBAL
EUROPE (Norway)
ASIA (Japan)
AFRICA (Nigeria)SOUTH AMERICA (Brazil)

40. FortZED, Ft. Collins, CO
Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town, Japan
ZERO ENERGY is happening at
COMMUNITY SCALE
Pecan Street, Austin, TX
Lancaster, CA

41. Zero
Energy
Ready
42%
Thousand
Home
Challenge
17%
Zero
Energy
26%
Net
Producer
15%
FLAVORS of ZERO Residential Categories
Net Zero Energy Coalition developed working with:
• DOE Zero Energy Ready
Homes Program
• Northeast Sustainable Energy
Association
• International Living Future
Institute
• Earth Advantage Institute
• Passive House
• PHIUS
• PHCA
• NAPHN
• Thousand Home Challenge

42. MULTI- and SINGLE-FAMILY
Image
Image
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
Multifamily Units Single Family Units
3,103 2,971
Arkin-Tilt Architects
Redwood Energy

43. CUSTOM
HKS/Hill-Glazier Studios – Courtesy Blake Marvin
Daniel Smith & Associates Architects Steve Baczek Architect reKU Design

44. One Sky Homes
The Paul Davis Partnership
Greenhill Contracting
SPEC & PRODUCTION
Brightleaf Homes

45. AFFORDABLE
John Schlesinger, AIA
K. Boodjeh Architects
Sunroc Builders

46. ZERO ENERGY Trait #1: Proper Orientation

47. ZERO ENERGY Trait #2: Simpler Form
(especially roofs!)
John Schlesinger, AIA
WEST: before  after  SOUTH: before  after 
• More room for photovoltaics• Easier (& less expensive) to detail
• Easier to air seal & insulate

48. ZERO ENERGY Trait #3: Quality Enclosures
WALLS:
1” rigid (R-4)
spray-filled cavity (R-15)
WINDOWS:
Increased overhangs
U-factor 0.27
SHGC 0.22
ROOFS:
R-49 attic insulation
Raised-heel trusses

49. ZERO ENERGY Trait #4:
Small HVAC, in conditioned space
beforeafter
HVAC
in closet
HVAC
in attic

50. Part 3 – Gene Myers:
The Zero Energy Experience of Thrive
Home Builders, Denver, CO
Image

51. Thrive Home Builders, Denver, CO
•We build exclusively in
the Denver metro Area.
•We closed about 110
homes in 2015.
•We are a niche builder:
Efficient, Healthy, Local
Image
Image Image

52. Recent Recognition
•2015 IBS Best in
Green, Production
Builder
•2015 Best Green
Design, The Nationals
2015
•Green Home of the
Year, Green Builder

53. Thrive is a US Department of Energy
Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) builder
ZERH Program:
•Energy Star
•EPA Indoor AirPlus
•Water Conservation
Three time winner
DOE Grand Award for
Innovation in Housing
2013, 2014, 2015
Image

54. Thrive Builds About 30 Production Zero
Energy Homes per Year
ZEN Series
•ZEN stands for Zero Energy Now
•Introduced in 2013
•HERS 40 without Solar; HERS <10
with 7-8kW PV
•3 two-story single family plans with
basements, 1878-2115 sf
•Base prices $472,900 to $491,900

55. Selling Zero Energy—The “Last Mile”
•Third-party verification—DOE
ZERH Program.
•In order for consumers to believe,
a credible third-party endorsement
is essential.
•Program marketing resources
provide well-researched,
professional, credible and FREE
marketing material.

56. Selling Zero Energy—The “Last Mile”
•Who is the audience for
your messaging?
•35 year old woman who
drives a Prius, shops and
Whole Foods and has
“Boulder-like” tendencies.

57. Third-party verification
In order for consumers to
believe, a credible third-
party endorsement is
essential.
Use the program’s
marketing resources.

58. Selling Zero Energy—The “Last Mile”
•Industry partner
resources.
•Our partnership with
Owens Corning was
essential in bringing
“Big Company”
resources to meet our
marketing challenge.

59. ZEN Building Science Center—
The Power of Zero
•Located in first model
home’s garage.
•Shoppers must go
through in order to get to
the second model.
•Targeted messaging to
35 year old woman who
drives a Prius, shops at
Whole Foods and has
“Boulder-like
tendencies.”

60. ZEN Building Science Center—
The Power of Zero

61. ZEN Building Science Center—
The Power of Zero
If I told you that if you gave me
$100 I would give you $300 back,
would you take it?
Every month?
For 30 years?
That is a lot of money…maybe your
child’s college education.

62. ZEN Building Science Center—
The Power of Zero
Or buy more
home with the
savings.

63. ZEN Building Science Center—The Power of Zero
http://energy.gov/site
s/prod/files/2014/10/f
18/ba_case_study_n
ewtown_powerofzero
_center.pdf
Building America
Case Study on our
Building Science
Center

64. DOE Case Study

65. Questions?

66. Jon Webb
KEPHART
303.832.4474
2555 Walnut Street
Denver, CO 80205
Steve Easley
Steve Easley & Assoc.
925.698.4726
Danville, CA
(San Francisco Bay Area)
steve@steveeasley.com
Ann Edminster
Design AVEnues LLC
650.355.9150
Pacifica, CA
(San Francisco Bay Area)
Gene Myers
Thrive Home Builders
303.707.4400
185 Lawrence, #900
Denver, CO 80202