Measure Results from Affordable Zero Net Energy Homes

Current construction of site-built homes is dictated by a cost-first, sequential, disintegrated design and installation approach. In other words, the different trades and contractors try to reduce costs without giving enough consideration to how all the systems in the homes function together. This makes it difficult to cost-effectively achieve energy efficiency and comfort. Developing and refining principles and practices for new construction is a necessary step to achieve affordable newly constructed zero net energy (ZNE) homes and help the state achieve its aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets. This project demonstrated that affordable ZNE houses are achievable using low-cost construction techniques and on-site renewable. The project team built, commissioned, and collected field data from two affordable ZNE houses in Stockton, California, that demonstrated near-zero net annual energy use with on-site solar PV arrays. One of the homes was an all-electric home, and the other a mixed-fuel home (using both electricity and gas). Examples of cost savings from this approach include right-sized Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and advanced framing methods that reduced lumber and windows by 60% compared to typical homes, reduction in heat pump size by 80%, and significantly reduced amount of plumbing pipes and ductwork.