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Zero Energy Homes

Energy Efficient Building Suppliers Make It Easy 
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Energy Efficient Building Suppliers Make It Easy 

By Zarkon Group,

Energy-efficient building is much more than a fleeting trend: Around the world, the negative effects of climate change can no longer be ignored, from rising global temperatures to poor air quality caused by pollution. According to NASA scientists, reducing carbon emissions is crucial to turning things around. Further, it must be done on a global scale and within every industry, including home construction and renovation. 

The good news for home builders and remodelers is that energy-efficient, low carbon construction and remodeling isn’t out of reach, no matter your budget or geographic location. Today’s energy-efficient building suppliers are making it easier than ever to achieve net-zero emissions by providing state-of-the-art energy-efficient products and technical advice. Regarding material choice, there are a variety of sustainable options out there, even for homeowners working with a modest budget. 

No matter your architectural vision for an energy-efficient low carbon home, choosing a building supplier that can provide the energy-efficient products and materials you need can make all the difference. Here are a few standout companies in sustainable construction and renovation that you can order from wherever you live.

EEBA/Ecomedes                                                                                                                            

Sourcing and specifying sustainable building materials just got easy at EEBA/Ecomedes.

EEBA.Ecomedes.com is your comprehensive source for top-rated brands and sustainability certifications that you need for residential construction. Easily search by product category, brand, certifications and ecolabels, or greenest products to streamline how your teams source and specify. Once products are selected, easily review all product data and compare competitors. You can also add products to a project and start to calculate impact and evaluate how those selected products help you achieve your project’s preferred rating system.

ecomedes is providing solutions for building owners and designers to save time and money while making  environmental, social, and governance compliance easy. You can get started today at eeba.ecomedes.com.

Small Planet Supply

Founded in 2009, Small Planet Supply is an industry leader in sustainable building supplies, zero-energy education, and technical support while promoting social responsibility. The company was built on the backbone of the Passive House movement, which is widely recognized as the world’s leading standard in energy-efficient construction.  Small Planet’s catalog is full of innovative, sustainable products, including ThermaCork 100% natural cork insulation, created in-house by Small Planet. 

They have two warehouse locations, one in Tumwater, Washington, and one in Vancouver, B.C.,  and typically ship orders within the same or next business day. Shipping rates and carriers are dependent on customer location and package weight. Discounts may be available to local customers that are close enough to take advantage of the company’s reduced-cost truck delivery, which reduces emissions.

Rise

As a certified B Corp and a member of 1% for the Planet, Rise has high standards for home improvement product recommendations and endorsements. Rise Approved Manufacturers are judged on a variety of criteria, including whether the company can verify all of their environmental claims and the quality of the work environment where products are manufactured. As an “education-first” marketplace, the company also offers online home sustainability courses for eco-conscious builders at an affordable rate, starting at just $19 per course.

At Rise, energy efficiency is part of the entire purchasing process, and shipping is always carbon neutral, no matter your destination or order size. Rise achieves carbon neutrality by purchasing carbon offsets, and the company retains transparency throughout by providing tracking information and delivery updates via email. 

When ordering directly from Rise, new and existing online customers can take a 10% shipping discount by entering the code RISE10 at checkout. Shipping is available in the contiguous U.S. states and Canada. Canadian customers should place orders at Rise’s Canadian website. 

Eco-Building Products

Much like Rise, Eco-Building Products offers a variety of innovative products and manufacturer recommendations to customers across the U.S. and Canada. Following a lucrative venture in the world of coffee shops, owner Jim Barnes established the company in 2006. Barnes is a dedicated environmentalist and former recipient of the Northern Michigan Environmental Action council’s “Environmentalist of the Year Award.” 

The Eco-Building Products online catalog features green building products and materials at all price points, suitable for eco-conscious DIY home builders and contractors alike, with a wide array of solar energy options. Eco-Building Products is also a good resource for energy efficient van conversion and tiny house supplies and materials. In addition, visitors can find plenty of resources and building tips on its Tiny House Hub. 

At Eco-Building Products, based in Elberta, Michigan, shipping is offered within the contiguous U.S., although international customers may make a special order by calling customer support at (231)-399-0700. 

475 High Performance Building Supply

At 475, customers looking to achieve zero emissions and/or meet Passive House standards have many products to choose from, such as energy-efficient hot water systems and thermal insulation. The company website also provides helpful knowledge resources for the DIY builder in the form of videos, ebooks, and on-demand courses. 

The exclusive North American distributor of Pro Clima air-sealing products, 475 High Performance Building Supply, offers shipping throughout Canada and the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. Curbside pickup of select materials may also be available to customers in the following cities, home to 475 High Performance Building Supply warehouses: \

  • Brooklyn, New York
  • Hillsboro, Oregon
  • Ridgefield, New Jersey
  • Waterbury, Connecticut

Going directly to local suppliers is one of the best ways to reduce emissions related to shipping and transit. 

Energy Efficient Products Available At Your Fingertips

Considering all we know about climate change and how every one of our actions can make a difference, there’s really no excuse to look the other way, because no matter where you live, the products and the know-how for taking action are at your fingertips. So when you plan your next remodel or new construction project, be sure to focus on reducing both operational and embodied carbon. Then utilize these companies that supply the energy efficient products and know-how needed to get your home, business, and life on the path to zero wherever you are. 

 

By Amanda Winstead      

Amanda Winstead is a writer from Oregon with a background in communications. She writes on science, business, and many more subjects. She can be reached on Twitter at amandawinsteadd

Amanda Winstead is a writer from the Portland area with a background in



Reference

The Double Stud Wall Simplified – Low Cost, High Performance
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

The Double Stud Wall Simplified – Low Cost, High Performance

By Zarkon Group,

Simplify

The double-stud wall is a well-established method for creating a very economical, durable, and high R-value assembly in new construction – and is one reason it’s included as one of the basic 475 Smart Enclosure System assembly types. We know pushing standard code-minimum construction toward high performance is complicated. So we’re always looking for ways to simplify – to simultaneously reduce cost while optimizing efficiency and occupant comfort. Integrated with Pro Clima air sealing and moisture control components, the double-stud wall provides unmatched economic value, safety from moisture damage, and long-lasting performance.

Go Sheathingless

With Pro Clima component integration, we’re taking it one step further. Below we illustrate a sheathingless double-stud wall (that’s right: no structural sheathing) that provides the following characteristics:

  • Minimized material costs
  • Maximized moisture drying potential
  • Removal of formaldehyde, VOC’s and other toxic chemicals commonly found in SPF, rigid foams, OSB, and plywood
  • Easily adjustable wall thickness to meet your design R-value
  • Space between walls for continuous insulation
  • Utilization of dense-pack insulation (Gutex wood THERMOFIBER, cellulose, fiberglass, mineral wool, or Havelock Wool).
  • No special materials or connections needed for the framing components
  • Fits with the typical platform framing method

You can still frame your walls on the deck and raise them into place,  but without all that sheathing they’ll be a lot lighter. With this system, you build a house out of 2x4s, fibrous insulation, SOLITEX MENTO Plus weather-resistive barrier outboard, INTELLO Plus smart vapor retarder inboard, and not much else.

The Framing

The wall consists of an inner load-bearing wall and an outer exterior finishing wall. The floor and roof loads are stacked on top of the inner wall studs. This method can allow the use 24″ o.c. advanced framing assembly if your floor and roof loads meet the design criteria. The inner wall is framed like any other stick-built wall, with the exception that the shear load is carried by 2x lumber nailed, or metal strapping mechanically fastened, diagonally, to the outside face of the inner stud wall – in the insulation cavity.

It’s important to note that each structure will have very different shear and uplift retention requirements due to variables in building height, the number of windows, local codes, shape of building, seismic requirements, etc. The outer wall is connected to the decks as outriggers, there to support the insulation and finished facade elements, and consequently, it requires minimal framing material and opening headers. In taller walls, it’s important to connect the inner and outer studs for additional strength as well as partition the bays every second bay – to make dense-packing of the double stud cavities easier to reach proper density and maintain quality control.

The Integrated Service Cavity

With this approach, the inner wall studs act as the service cavity without the need for additional strapping to support the interior finish – making it an integrated service cavity. This approach takes planning but allows for fewer steps and less material. An excellent example of this approach is demonstrated in our Project Spotlight: Vermont Integrated Architecture. Leicester, VT.

Two Air Barriers Too

To optimize the insulating value of the dense-pack insulation – airtight membranes are placed on both sides of the fibrous insulation, thereby preventing thermal bypass, as well as optimizing the drying reserves of this highly insulated wall. At the interior side is the INTELLO PLUS membrane, airtight with intelligent vapor control, making it vapor open in the summer to facilitate inward drying and vapor retarding in the winter to prevent vapor accumulation into the insulation. The INTELLO Plus is reinforced so that it substitutes for the typical mesh used in a dense-pack installation. At the exterior side is SOLITEX MENTO PLUS: airtight, waterproof, reinforced and vapor open, allowing for maximum drying potential to the outside without being restricted by an exterior sheathing, like plywood or OSB, which are Class II or low Class III vapor retarders.

Windows & Penetrations

The window is installed into a plywood box that ties together the inner and outer walls. We offer a wide selection of window air sealing tapes, but to keep it simple you need only TESCON PROFIL, or the even faster TESCON PROFECT, for the airtight connections at the interior and exterior of the window. (And don’t forget to pre-make your window corners!). At the sill heavy-duty self-sealing waterproofing is provided by EXTOSEAL ENCORS. There are multiple ways to create a thermal bridge free window installation – there are many variables depending on the window type and brand.

The most important thing is to make sure that the window is precisely connected to your interior and exterior airtight and moisture control layers. This will ensure that your installation will not have condensation due to air movement at this thermally weak intersection. Small air leakage at this connection will allow the interior winter humidity to enter the insulated cavity. Making an air-tight connection at all openings is the best way to prevent future structural damage.

Learn More

For more details and variations on this concept, download  475’s free CAD details and ebook for 475 Smart Enclosure Double-Stud Assemblies.

By 475 Building Supply

This guest blog was originally published on the 475 Building Supply blog.

Reference

Tackling Embodied Carbon in Retrofits
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Tackling Embodied Carbon in Retrofits

By Zarkon Group,

A firm specializing in remodeling rethinks its approach to attic and roof insulation to lower embodied carbon.

By Rachel White

In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) put the world on notice: To avert catastrophic and irreversible climate change, we will have to hold global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. And to keep warming at this level, we must cut global emissions roughly in half by 2030 and get to zero by 2050.

Building Sector Contributions to Global Warming

The building sector is a huge part of the problem, accounting for roughly 40% of global annual emissions. And while our industry has made progress, we haven’t done nearly enough.

Along with the work of organizations such as the Carbon Leadership Forum and Architecture 2030, the IPCC report was a wake-up call about the time value of carbon. Larry Strain, a board member at the Carbon Leadership Forum, describes it this way: “Because emissions are cumulative and we have a limited amount of time to reduce them, carbon reductions now have more value than carbon reductions in the future [emphasis added].”

Carbon Reduction Strategies                                                          

Three strategies are critical to achieving meaningful near-term reductions in building sector emissions. First, we need to repurpose buildings rather than build new ones wherever possible. Second, we need to aggressively reduce the operating emissions of existing buildings. Third, we need to build with low embodied carbon materials and ideally with carbon-storing materials.

The first two strategies are firmly ensconced at Byggmeister. We don’t do new construction, we avoid additions, and we pursue operational emissions reductions whenever possible. However, until the last couple of years, we had not paid much attention to embodied carbon. We assumed that whatever carbon we emitted to renovate and retrofit homes would be balanced by operational savings over decades. But this assumption was flawed.

Embodied Carbon Emissions

So, we turned our attention to embodied emissions, focusing first on insulation. As remodeling contractors, we know that insulation is high leverage, especially because closed-cell spray foam—one of the highest embodied carbon insulation materials on the market—has long been a go-to insulation material for us. There are good reasons we have relied so heavily on closed-cell spray foam. It blocks air leaks in addition to reducing conductive heat loss; it’s vapor impermeable; and it’s highly versatile. But none of these is a good reason to maintain the status quo.

Deciding When to Use Foam

There are times when replacing spray foam with a carbon smarter material is a no-brainer. For example, installing cellulose in wood-framed walls is typically no more complex than insulating with spray foam, not to mention less expensive and less disruptive. And while the R-value of a cellulose-insulated wall is lower than the same wall insulated with closed-cell spray foam (unless the wall assembly is thickened), we believe this compromise is worth it. The reduced R-value has little impact on comfort and the carbon benefit more than makes up for it. Unlike spray foam, which emits a lot of carbon before, during, and immediately after installation ( especially true of closed-cell spray foam with high-embodied-carbon blowing agents), cellulose actually stores carbon.  

There are other cases, though, such as with rubble foundation walls, when we feel spray foam is the only viable choice, other than not insulating at all. While we have entertained this possibility, we aren’t willing to give up remediating dank, damp basements, although we have begun to think about these as emissions that should be offset with more aggressive carbon-storing measures elsewhere.

Roof Insulation Challenges

Much of the time, though, the choice to eliminate or retain spray foam isn’t clear-cut. We encounter many roofs and attics where existing conditions, code requirements, and broader project goals make it challenging but not impossible to avoid spray foam.

If the attic is unconditioned, then the easiest, most cost-effective strategy is to air seal any penetrations along the attic floor and then re-insulate (in most cases, we would first remove existing insulation).

But this only works if there’s no mechanical equipment (and ideally no storage). If the attic is used for anything other than insulation, best practice is to bring the attic space indoors, either by insulating the underside of the roof sheathing with spray foam or by removing the roofing, insulating the topside of the roof sheathing with rigid foam and then re-roofing.

If the roof needs to be replaced, “outsulation” might initially seem viable. But I can count on one hand the times we have actually done it. More often than not, it’s doomed by cost or adverse architectural consequences. This is why spray foam has long been our go-to approach for unconditioned attics with HVAC equipment.

New Approaches for Lower Carbon

At least it was until we realized just how carbon-intensive it is. We came to this realization by comparing the embodied emissions of spray foam against four alternatives. We based these comparisons on a simple gable-roof form. The four alternatives we looked at were: 

* A low-foam approach of building down the rafter bays, insulating with closed-cell foam for condensation control, followed by cellulose behind a smart membrane.

* A no-foam approach where the air and thermal boundary remains at the attic floor. We install the air handler in a conditioned “head house” and bury the ductwork in cellulose. 

* A common outsulation approach with cellulose in the rafter bays plus exterior polyisocyanurate board foam.

* A newer, no-foam outsulation approach with cellulose in the rafter bays plus exterior wood fiber board.                                                                                                                                                                                          All of these approaches, including exterior polyisocyanurate, are either carbon neutral or carbon storing from the outset. Only spray foam starts off in carbon debt.

This chart shows the embodied carbon of several options for insulating the attic floor or the roof. Chart courtesy Byggmeister.

What we call the “low foam” approach includes 3 inches of closed-cell spray foam on the underside of the roof deck plus 8 inches of cellulose and a membrane to control moisture. Illustration courtesy Byggmeister.

And this debt is not small. Our modeling suggests this particular measure would take 14 years of operational carbon savings to break even. Even if our model isn’t exact, it’s close enough to know that spray foam should not be our default approach if there are viable, lower emitting alternatives.

In Two Carbon Smart Ideas for the Attic, we walk through the no-foam, head house approach in detail. We also describe our efforts to develop a carbon-smart approach to another common attic/roof condition: poorly insulated, finished slopes. When such slopes are topped by a “micro attic,” we are experimenting with dense-packing the slopes, installing loose-fill cellulose along the floor of the micro-attic, and adding a ridge vent.

We Must Take Risks

Both of these approaches seemed impractical when we first took them on. Both present some level of risk. Because of code constraints, the second one may not be broadly replicable even if we can demonstrate that the risk is manageable. But if we are going to cut global carbon emissions in half by 2030 and get to zero by 2050, we’ll have to take some risks and pursue approaches that aren’t (yet) standard practice. By sharing our story, we hope to inspire more of our colleagues to join in this effort.

Rachel White is the CEO of Byggmeister, a design-build remodeling firm in Newton, Mass. This article was first published in Green Building Advisor.

 

 

 

 

Reference

Join the Movement, Make a Difference: Electrify Your Home
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Join the Movement, Make a Difference: Electrify Your Home

By Zarkon Group,

Most of Us Care About Climate Change

Most Americans believe climate change is a problem and are concerned. However, many feel hopeless and helpless to do anything that will make a difference when it comes to carbon emissions and climate change. It’s an understandable feeling but not based on reality – because we can take measures immediately to get our homes and lives on the path to zero carbon. 

From Caring to Taking Effective Action to Reduce Carbon 

If you care about the environment and are concerned about global warming, you can now take many practical measures. First, make a plan, on paper or mentally, and commit to it. Humans rarely accomplish what they want without a specific goal, strategy, and commitment. Next, you can create a timeline for replacing each fossil fuel-based technology in your home, as the existing ones are ready to be replaced due to age, safety, inefficiency, or malfunction. And you can do the same with your gas-guzzling vehicles.

Start Now Electrifying Everything in Your Home

Rewiring America’s Electrify Everything in Your Home, subtitled “A Guide to Healthy Comfy, Carbon-Free Living,” can help simplify your planning. It’s a complete guide to rewiring your life, whether you are a homeowner or a renter. The Rewiring America Guide offers many steps that you can begin implementing now. Here is a brief overview: 

  • Purchase Renewable Energy: Contact your utility to switch to a renewable power plan if they offer one, or search for local community solar or wind projects that provide renewable electricity. Renters can do the same. See Chapter 1 for more details.
  • Upgrade Your Electrical Service: Check your electrical panel to determine its size and configuration. Renters can do the same and discuss it with their landlord. See Chapter 2 for more details.
  • Consider a Home Energy Assessment: Get a “home energy audit” or “home energy assessment,” including a blower door test. And get quotes for air sealing and insulating your home. Energy conservation will make electrifying everything much more effective. Renters can use the back of their hands or incense to detect air leaks. Use an ordinary caulking gun and weather stripping to seal any areas with apparent drafts. If air leaks and drafts are significant, bring them to your landlord’s attention.
  • Prepare for Heat Pump Heating and Cooling: Get quotes from more than one HVAC contractor experienced with heat pump installation. Be sure he uses your energy assessment and the Manul J  to size the unit correctly. Renters can consider purchasing a window or portable heat pump for heating and cooling. See chapter 3 for more details.
  • Prepare for a Heat Pump Water Heater: Determine whether or not your current water heater is gas-powered and how old it is—plan to replace it with a heat pump water heater if it’s over ten years old. Renters show your landlord the EnergyGuide savings for replacing your old water heater with a heat pump and install water-saving faucet and shower fixtures. See chapter 4 for more details.
  • Check out Electric Cooking: If you hold a magnet to your pans and it sticks, they will work with an induction cooktop. If not, buy a few metal pans and a portable induction burner for about $50 to $150. Then plan to have a 240V appliance outlet installed before replacing your existing stove with an induction stove. Renters can buy a portable induction cooktop that can plug into standard outlets and use it as their primary cooking surface. See chapter 5 for more details.
  • Check out Clothes Drying Alternatives: Check if you have a gas dryer and if you already have a 240V appliance outlet behind your dryer. If you have both, consider purchasing a heat pump drier when your current drier needs replacing. In the meantime, use clothes drying racks or clotheslines. Renters use clothes drying racks or clotheslines and consider a combo washer and condensing dryer that runs on 120V. See chapter 6 for more details.
  • Install Solar Panels: Use a website to check your home’s solar potential, and use Energy Sage to get initial quotes. Renters can get quotes and financing options to send to their landlord. See chapter 9 for more details.
  • Add Battery Storage: If you already have rooftop solar, check whether your installer or competitors in your area offer battery storage. Renters can check out standalone backup batteries. See chapter 10 for more details.
  • Get Ready for an Electric Vehicle: Calculate how far you drive on average in a day to determine the range you need for an electric vehicle. Then, check online for nearby public charging stations to determine the feasibility of using public charging stations. Renters can do the same. See chapter 7 for details.
  • Prepare for EV Charging: If you have a garage, check if you have a 240V appliance outlet to which you can connect a fast “Level 2” charger. Renters can ask their landlord and employer to install a Level 2 charger. See chapter 8 for more details.

The Electrify Everything in Your Home guide provides many more details, including an Electrification Planning Chart and checklists for homeowners and for renters. It also includes a section on “How To Pay For It,” starting with items with little or no upfront cost, such as switching to renewable energy from your utility. To access the guide and these charts and checklists, go to the Rewiring America – Electrify Home guide and enter your email address.

The Path to Zero Carbon: Electrify Everything and Button Up Your Home

Electrifying everything will shift your life from depending on carbon-emitting technologies to clean, highly energy-efficient technologies, including home appliances, HVAC, water heating, and vehicles. Air sealing and insulating your home will further conserve energy, and sourcing renewable energy will wean you completely from carbon-emitting fossil fuels. Don’t forget the side effects:

  • Lower energy bills
  • Improved health
  • A more comfortable home
  • A vehicle with outstanding performance
  • No more trips to the gas station

So, take the Electrify Everything Pledge and start down the path to zero carbon today!

 

By Joe Emerson, Founder of the Zero Energy Project

With special thanks to Rewiring America.

 

Reference

Stracker Solar – Going Beyond Rooftops
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Stracker Solar – Going Beyond Rooftops

By Zarkon Group,

Strackers are elevated dual-axis solar trackers that produce significantly more power than same-sized rooftop or fixed ground-mount systems while maintaining full use of the property below. As a result, Strackers are a perfect photovoltaic (PV) solution for homes and businesses with roofs that have no solar access; for parking lots of any kind; for industrial and agricultural operations; and for open fields and schoolyards. Keeping their powerful large PV arrays pointed directly at the sun throughout the day, Strackers are the most efficient solar energy harvesting systems available. 

These robust units, designed and manufactured by Stracker Solar in Ashland, Oregon, are currently the only UL-listed dual-axis PV trackers in the U.S. and are the only ones that qualify for Energy Trust of Oregon incentives. In addition, the all-steel Strackers are certified for 120 mph winds and come with 30-year production and structural warranties. Additional options like pole lighting and EV charging stations are available, and customers can choose from a wide variety of colors for their units.

Strackers Versus Rooftop Solar

A Stracker holds an array of 28 PV panels atop a 20-foot high single pole, making the system look like a giant mechanical sunflower. And just like young sunflowers, the array moves with the sun — something rooftop solar cannot do — assuring maximum energy collection at all times. As a result, Strackers produce up to 70% more solar power than an equivalent-sized fixed rooftop installation.

Strackers Versus Other Ground-Mount Solar Systems

Compared to traditional ground-mount solutions that sit low to the ground and require that the owner dedicate a specific area to solar power generation, often with fencing all around, Strackers’ 14-foot ground clearance allows the continued use of the grounds below. This clearance makes them ideal for farms, playgrounds, yards, and parking lot applications. Not just people and cars, but even tractors, semis, and firetrucks can pass easily under the Stracker array. Beyond the ground usage benefit, Strackers also provide up to 70% more solar power than same-sized fixed ground-mount systems and up to 30% more power than single-axis solar trackers. 

While Strackers do require a minimum of maintenance, such as annual greasing, it can be done by the owner or through Strackers’ maintenance services; and snow removal is not an issue. Snow does not remain on Strackers as it does on fixed systems since the tracking movement of the array naturally sheds snow in its most vertical position, which occurs twice a day. If additional snow shedding is needed, a press of a button brings the array into a full-tilt position at any time.

Where Strackers Excel 

Strackers excel where rooftop solar is not feasible or wouldn’t provide the desired amount of electricity and do so without compromising the usage of the property.  Commercial, industrial, governmental, and residential customers, as well as community solar developers, who have sites where land use and maximum solar generation are important, will find Strackers the most suitable solution. 

Even when a home or building has an excellent solar orientation, Strackers may still be a good choice if:

  1. Net zero is the goal, but the customer doesn’t have enough roof area to achieve that.
  2. The customer prefers not to deal with any needed upfront roof preparation and has concerns about future leaks or having to remove the system for future re-roofing. 
  3. The condition of the roof doesn’t allow solar installation, or roof replacement would be due during the lifetime of the solar installation.
  4. The customer prefers not to have electric equipment installed on their roof with its potential fire hazard, even though the risk is slight.

Parking Lots

Parking lots are a natural fit for Strackers. Traditionally carport systems have been the chosen PV solution for parking areas, but due to their fixed nature, they lack harvest efficiency, one of Strackers’ key benefits. Instead of closing in parking lots with stationary carport systems, several stand-alone Strackers can meet customers’ energy needs while minimally affecting property use and aesthetics. In addition, Strackers come fully ready for Level 1, 2, or 3 EV charging stations. As a result, auto dealerships can power their operations and charge their electric vehicles without hiding their cars on display under carport solar installations. 

That’s why Ashland’s TC Chevrolet chose Strackers as their solar power generating system, which they will install later this spring. The elegant lot display lighting the units provide with their state-of-the-art LED lights will be a bonus. 

Agricultural Applications

For farms with crops or livestock, Strackers can be installed without interfering with agricultural operations. Strackers offer customers the opportunity to either produce solar power for their facilities without compromising the use of their land or generate additional income by participating in a community solar program and selling the electricity to participating members.

Cost-Effectiveness 

Strackers’ patent-pending drive core, all-steel structure, fail-safe control system, accurate GPS validated 220-degree tracking range, and optimal bifacial capability make them one of the highest quality products available.  They combine the best of solar with high-quality state-of-the-art engineering. 

Yet the cost difference per installed kWh between a Stracker solar installation and a rooftop solar one is usually minimal. For example, in recent competitively bid Southern Oregon projects, Strackers came out as the solar solution with the lowest cost per kWh compared with local residential rooftop systems. However, every project is site-specific, and it’s often difficult to define the cost difference between installations in different markets. For example, in Ashland, Oregon, residential rooftop solar prices might be much higher than residential or commercial prices in Austin, Texas. So Stracker Solar develops site-specific cost and energy production analyses for each project that allows customers to compare the cost-effectiveness of Strackers with other PV solutions. 

Net Zero with Strackers

Homeowners and businesses with poor solar orientation or lack of sufficient roof space often have difficulty achieving net zero energy. This is where Strackers come in. Their sales team discusses the option of net zero energy with every potential customer, and those who haven’t originally identified it as their goal are usually very receptive to choosing that path. As a result, Stracker Solar has helped many customers successfully meet their net zero energy goals while competitive solutions fell short for both power production and cost-efficiency. Of the Stracker installations to date, there are seven net zero residences, a net zero dental facility, and an off-grid ranch fully powered by Strackers. Also, seven vacation rental cottages and an office have become net zero thanks to a 6-Stracker community solar installation. 

The Stracker Vision

Stracker Solar is a growing start-up on a mission: to provide the most efficient solar solutions that allow homes and businesses to get on the net zero path and enable communities to maximize their solar production via land-use preserving community solar installations. To make Strackers available beyond their current service area, they are planning a targeted national expansion in the second half of 2022 through licensing of prequalified welding facilities in several promising markets, combined with a certification program for area PV installers. The expansion plan will be supported by targeted marketing campaigns and direct partner outreach. 

Strackers Solar has an excellent opportunity to make a difference for many homeowners, businesses, and communities looking to go solar who have inadequate roofs or no land to give up. Working with local solar installers, Stracker Solar can provide efficient solar solutions that best utilize available spaces and resources and make solar available to those for whom it otherwise would not be feasible.

By Joe Emerson, Founder of the Zero Energy Project. 

Based on an interview with Jeff Sharpe, Founder of Stracker Solar, who welcomes inquiries from solar installers interested in becoming Strackers resellers.

 

Reference

Zero Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU): Low Income Housing that Works
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Zero Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU): Low Income Housing that Works

By Zarkon Group,

We all know there is a considerable lack of affordable housing in the U.S. and that addressing it effectively has been challenging. Now that many states and municipalities are altering their zoning to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), there is a new opportunity to expand truly affordable rental housing – building low, cost zero energy ADUs – sometimes referred to as in-law apartments, garage apartments, attic apartments, tiny homes, or casitas. But how to make them truly affordable?

Small ADUs are Affordable

By their very nature, ADUs will cost less to rent because they are smaller, and building them uses fewer materials.  This is even more likely in an above the garage, basement, or attic ADU where existing structural elements can be used. They also have no land costs because they are built on an existing lot or above an existing garage. And there are no landscaping costs other than restoring any construction disruption. Sewer, water, and electricity are close at hand.  And, if they are zero energy ADUs, they will need no gas hook-up.  More importantly, they will have no, or almost no, energy bills for their residents.

Zero Energy Bills

There are two legs to affordability.  One is the rent – the other is the monthly utility bill. The second one is almost always overlooked when considering affordable housing, but high energy bills can play a devastating role in making an ADU rental unaffordable.  Zero Energy ADUs solve that problem and offer a more truly affordable rental.  The challenge is how to get to zero at least cost, so the rent can be kept low.

Cost Cutting Zero ADU Construction 

The first step in low-cost zero energy construction is conducting energy modeling on the planned structure.  Energy modeling will help select the lowest cost mix of energy-saving measures such as insulation and air sealing, energy-saving equipment, and solar. For example, energy modeling and price comparisons will quickly determine whether it is more cost-effective to use a heat pump water heater or add some additional panels and use a standard water heater – or whether to use insulation with a higher or lower u-value.

There are other potential savings related to the smaller size of an ADU.  Windows are expensive. Locating them to optimize light and views, and eliminating or reducing them where they are not needed, may allow smaller glazed areas. Since mini splits can be ductless, there is no need for ductwork.  Most ADUs can be heated and cooled with one small unit, which is quick and easy to install.  Since heat pump HVAC systems should never be oversized, smaller ones are usually the best choice. 

In small homes, such as ADUs, energy or heat recovery ventilation systems can be installed without ducts, using a Lunos e2 through-the-wall HRV or a Panasonic Whisper Quiet ERV to provide fresh filtered air. The size of the water heating system can be tailored to a smaller number of inhabitants. A smaller 30 or 50-gallon heat pump water heater is an excellent but more expensive option. Using a small well insulated standard electric water heater with added solar panels may be less costly. An even more economical option might be using one or two-point of use tankless electric water heaters – one in the bath and one in the kitchen – and adding sufficient solar to cover its energy use.

An ADU Solar Advantage

Another significant potential savings with constructing a stand-alone ADU is a second chance to install solar on the main property.  If the original home does not have a good solar orientation, it may be possible to orient and design an ADU with enough solar for both the original home and the ADU. Any ADU-related shed or garage can be designed to optimize solar exposure. Large roof overhangs to shade the southern or western sun to avoid overheating can also expand the solar area. Or depending on orientation, sufficient solar can be installed on the main home to supply both the main house and the ADU – or some panels can be installed on the sunniest areas of each roof. In any case, optimizing the number of solar panels will lower the cost of ownership and renting.

Small ADUs can Live Large

The key to a successful small ADU is designing it for large living.  Building inexpensive non-conditioned storage spaces outside of the conditioned ADU, either in an attached or stand-alone shed or added to a connected or stand-alone garage, is affordable and leaves room for ample storage outside and living inside.  Smart kitchen/dining areas design can provide all the amenities in a small space. Creating accessible storage spaces under stairs and over cupboards optimizes the use of space, as do multipurpose rooms like office-bedroom spaces.

Our Experience

We decided to add ADUs to our two small rental homes on two different properties in Bend, Oregon, where the city changed the code to allow ADUs. We conducted energy modeling to determine the least-cost path to zero. We sealed the building envelope using Aerobarrier and insulated it well.  We used a small heat pump mini split for HVAC and a small heat pump water heater, used one Panasonic Whisper Quiet ERV in the bath and one in the kitchen, and installed energy-efficient electric appliances, including an induction stove. We added generous unconditioned storage areas outside of each unit. Because neither of the existing small homes had a good solar orientation and the ADUs did, we added enough solar on each of the ADUs to power both the ADU and the original house on each lot. So they both became zero energy homes.

Perfect for Low Income Housing

We can profit from rents while the tenants enjoy no energy bills. We have rented out two units, with two more on the way, to people with low incomes, referred by local non-profit organizations, providing them with affordable small, well-designed living spaces with no energy bills.

By Joe Emerson

Joe is the founder of the Zero Energy Project

Reference

What Is a Mini-Split Heat Pump?
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

What Is a Mini-Split Heat Pump?

By Zarkon Group,

By Allison A. Bailes III, PhD

Ah, mini-splits. They’re all the rage in the world of high-performance HVAC. But what exactly is a mini-split heat pump? Unfortunately, the terminology around this technology is confusing because it’s used so inconsistently. Let’s start at the beginning.  Well, OK, not all the way at the beginning.  I’m not going to explain what a heat pump is, but here’s a primer on how they work for heating.

The Basic Meaning of Mini-Split

The term “mini-split” originally referred to a split system heat pump, used for heating or cooling or both, with a smaller capacity than conventional systems. In that sense, a mini-split is just what its name says:  a small split system heat pump.  It gets confusing in the different ways manufacturers make these lower-capacity, split-system heat pumps.

A mini-split, for example, can have a conventional fixed-capacity compressor or an inverter-driven variable-capacity compressor. So, a mini-split could be a conventional heat pump that’s just smaller. Or, it could be a smaller heat pump with variable capacity. The former type is rare, though, so when you hear the term “mini-split,” you should think of the type with the inverter-driven compressor with variable capacity.

But it gets worse.  This heating and cooling system has outgrown its name…at least the “mini” part.  Yes, you can still get them down to a half-ton of capacity (6,000 BTU per hour), with smaller capacities on the way.  But you can also get mini-splits that have a capacity of 4 tons (48,000 BTU per hour), which is far from “mini.”

Is It a Mini-Split…or a Multi-Split?

Another confusing area is that with this type of heat pump, the outdoor unit can be connected to one indoor unit (referred to as one-to-one), or it could be connected to multiple indoor units. Some people distinguish these two types by using the term “mini-split” only for the one-to-one configuration.  They say that when you have more than one indoor unit on a single outdoor unit, that’s a multi-split heat pump.

The wall-mounted ductless mini-split heat pump in my sunroom. This is the only indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit, making it a one-to-one setup.

If we go with that dividing line, I have both a mini-split and a multi-split in my house.  The central part of the house is heated and cooled with one outdoor unit connected to two indoor ducted air handlers.  That would make it a multi-split.  I use a one-to-one ductless system for my sunroom (above).

Are All Mini-Splits Ductless?

And then there’s the issue of the type of indoor unit. Some are ductless, and they come in different flavors: wall-mounted, ceiling cassettes, and floor-mounted. Others are ducted, and they come in horizontal ducted or multi-position types. Some people use the term “mini-split” only for indoor ductless units. Others refer to any split system with smaller capacity as a mini-split, whether the indoor unit is ducted or ductless.

One of the ducted air handlers for the mini-split heat pump being installed in my house in 2019

I use the term “mini-split” for all of the above. Since mini-splits with fixed-capacity compressors are rare, you don’t need to worry about that confusion. If you’re talking to someone about mini-splits, you should be able to tell from the context how they use the term. If not, ask them to clarify.

Inverter-Driven Mini-Split Heat Pumps

Inverter-driven mini-split heat pumps are the future for high-performance homes. I’ve got them in my home, and it’s what we specify in most of our HVAC design jobs at Energy Vanguard. Their high efficiency and variable capacity that can ramp down to very low values are perfect for superinsulated, airtight homes, such as zero energy homes or passive homes.  And they work well in less efficient homes, too.

They give you a couple of other benefits. Their lower capacity means you can zone your heating and cooling with separate pieces of equipment. And using separate pieces of equipment provides resilience. If one heat pump stops working, you can still heat or cool the parts of the house that have operable equipment.

One final point here concerns the one-to-one configuration. If you want the highest efficiency, the best zone-to-zone control, and the most resilience, use only one indoor unit on each outdoor unit. Multi-split systems can work fine, but they’re just not as good as one-to-one setups.

Can You Oversize Heat Pumps?

One of the great advantages of using mini-splits is their variable capacity, but by oversizing them, you can lose that advantage completely.  That 6,000 BTU per hour mini-split in a room with 1,500 BTU per hour of cooling load doesn’t act at all like it has variable capacity because it’s always running at the lowest capacity.

So, yes, you absolutely can oversize a mini-split.  And when you do, you end up with some of the same problems from oversizing conventional systems:  poor humidity control, short cycling, and wasted money.

When a contractor proposes seven indoor ductless units for a 2,100 square foot house without a load calculation, there’s close to a 100% chance that the systems will be oversized.  And this problem happens with new homes that get load calculations, too, unless the load calculations are done correctly. You’ve got to look at the specifications for any mini-split heat pump in conjunction with the heating and cooling loads of the home and put in one that will take full advantage of the variable capacity.

Heat Pumps Are the Future of HVAC

Whether you live in frigid  Minnesota or hot and humid Georgia, as I do, going with a heat pump is a great idea, especially if you’re replacing a gas heating system.  Unlike fossil gas, electricity is getting cleaner, and mini-split heat pumps are the most efficient way to use clean energy for heating and cooling.

Allison A. Bailes III, Ph.D., is a speaker, writer, building science consultant, and the founder of Energy Vanguard in Decatur, Georgia. He has a doctorate in physics and writes the Energy Vanguard Blog. He is also writing a book on building science. You can follow him on Twitter at @EnergyVanguard.



Reference

The Zero Carbon Renovation Revolution  
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

The Zero Carbon Renovation Revolution  

By Zarkon Group,

The Zero Carbon Renovation Revolution  

by  JP Barton

Over 75 million existing homes in the U.S. are dependent on fossil fuels for heating, hot water, and cooking. It is estimated that 70% of these will still be in use by 2050. Most of these homes were built over thirty years ago and are poorly air-sealed, inadequately insulated, and would benefit substantially from deep green energy renovations on the path to zero. In 2021 alone, according to the EPA, existing homes were responsible for emitting approximately 850 million metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere. 

If we achieve carbon neutrality, renovating these homes on the path to zero is a significant and urgent challenge. The U.S. market alone is projected to be as much as $3 trillion over the next decade—with a potential 50 million homes at an estimated cost of $60,000 per home – and has been largely overlooked until now. Hardly a dent has been put into this massive and untapped market, creating an opportunity for an important reduction in GHG emissions on a large scale as well as creating numerous opportunities for new businesses and millions of new jobs.

Free Enterprise is Taking on the Challenge

Now several ambitious startups are ready to take on the challenge of fixing these homes. One of the most promising is a Colorado-based climate-tech company called GeoSolar Technologies (GST). The company was formed in early 2020 by a team of leading climate scientists and engineers to find better and more efficient technology for heating, cooling, cooking, and powering homes with less carbon emissions, better health, and improved air quality (IAQ) for the occupants of the home. 

GeoSolar Technology’s Vision

The company’s mission from the start has been to make a meaningful contribution to climate change by lowering global temperatures through reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from existing and newly built homes while improving the health of residents and creating financial returns to the company’s shareholders. The company believes most of the 75 million US homes that use fossil fuels to heat and cook are prime candidates for economic conversion to zero carbon. Their turnkey, all-inclusive package of expert-vetted technologies and energy efficiency systems has the potential to disrupt the home energy market. It has already been successfully implemented in 28 new energy-efficient, all-electric homes in a fossil-free community called the GEOS Neighborhood in Colorado. These homes have no gas bills, minimal electricity bills, improved health, and low carbon emissions. There were zero Covid-19 cases in the neighborhood throughout the pandemic, a solid testament to the air purification system provided by these homes. GEOS has proven the viability of all-electric housing and provides residents significant health benefits from smart ventilation and zero emissions from gas burning.

The SmartGreen Home ™ 

Based on GEOS’s learned, GST has spent almost two years developing a whole home energy system called the SmartGreen Home™  that can be installed into new or existing homes and transform them into a zero-carbon, 100% clean electric home. It produces all the energy the homeowner needs and does so economically. The system also monitors the CO2/oxygen ratio and removes Covid and other microbes and viruses. The company has filed for U.S patent protection on the whole home innovative clean energy system. 

The GST SmartGreen Home ™ system is based on three essential elements: decarbonization, electrification, and home purification. It reduces energy needs by insulating and air sealing the home, upgrading windows and doors, using air to air or geothermal heat pumps for HVAC along with solar in concert with robust air management and monitoring, heat pump hot water, battery storage, electric appliances, electric vehicle charging, and a central AI software-controlled center operated by smartphone. You can learn more here about how the SmartGreen Home works.

The GST Business Plan

GST provides everything needed to make the complete upgrade from dependence on fossil fuels to 100% clean electric. The system can also integrate a new electric vehicle (EV) with bidirectional charging to power the home with the EV during power outages and make money for the homeowner by selling electricity back to the grid at peak demand rates. 

To bring this program to as many homeowners as possible, GST is partnering with successful solar installation companies across the country to become dealer/licensees and training them in the SmartGreen Home™ technologies and systems. These solar contractors are in touch with their local market and have an active sales force in place. They will offer a greatly expanded product line and provide the system sales, customer contact, and installation. At the same time, GST is developing a major national advertising/public relations campaign that will educate the public about the virtue of all-electric living and will provide licensees with additional leads, removing the expense of lead generation. GST is compensated with a 7.5% licensing fee on each sale/installation.

The SmartGreen Home technology starts with an energy audit and blower door test.

The gas furnace, water heater, gas stove, and other gas appliances are removed, eliminating gas lines and the harmful use of methane. To streamline this process, GST utilizes proprietary online software and technology for analyzing homes, providing estimates, and starting projects very quickly. 

Geothermal Heat Pumps

The SmartGreen Home™ system includes an option for the GST geothermal heat pump system. It can heat and cool the whole home while handling much of the load of a companion heat pump water heater. It is extremely valuable for the right homeowner and is especially suited to larger homes and for those who can afford the reliability and comfort of these highly efficient systems.

Marketing – The Key to the Zero Carbon Renovation Revolution

Once a homeowner understands the clear superiority of the all-electric home and that there is no compromise in comfort, they will be excellent candidates for purchasing a system. To that end, GST’s national advertising campaign to introduce the SmartGreen home will begin this spring with the key themes of Eco Luxurious and Healthy Homes – Healthy Planet.  Homeowners are particularly motivated to go all-electric when they understand the health benefits to their family and understand the basic concept that “Gas is choking the environment and choking your family.”  In addition, most homeowners are motivated by lowering their energy bills close to zero. While not all homes will get all the way to zero, the HERS ratings, which will vary from home to home, should be in the single digits,  with the goal of having no gas bill and minimal electricity bills.  With battery or EV energy storage, a homeowner could also be compensated by selling electricity back to the grid during peak demand.

Utilizing existing solar installers as licensed dealers for the sale and installation of the SmartGreen system, combined with its national advertising, marketing and lead generation plan, GST intends to provide a much broader public understanding of and interest in energy efficiency renovations. This aggressive marketing, along with GST having hundreds of licensees across the country installing thousands of SmartGreen Home Systems, will help accelerate the zero renovation revolution and establish the SmartGreen brand as the “Gold Standard” for the green all-electric home.

How GST Addresses the Resistance Factors

GST offers three tiers of SmartGreen Home renovation packages to homeowners catering to their specific needs and income levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum priced at $40,000, $60,000, and $80,000 (after generous tax incentives). The most significant factor holding them back from renovating on the path to zero energy and zero carbon is the upfront costs for most homeowners. To address this, GST offers 100% financing at low rates, with monthly utility savings often covering the monthly payments. 

GST presents the SmartGreen Home system as a wise investment for the homeowner. A typical home will appraise $20 more per annual dollar saved by a more efficient energy system. SmartGreen Homes systems often save a homeowner between $2,000 and $6,000 in utility bills annually, so, at $20 per annual dollar saved, there is an increase of $40,000 to $120,000 respectively in the home appraisal. The actual appreciation is likely more than that. 

Another resistance factor to energy efficiency renovations is the disruption and inconvenience to the homeowner and their family while renovating. GST addresses this by aiming to complete the work within two to three weeks of issuing the permit and by allowing the homeowner to remain at home while the renovation is completed.

Driving the Zero Carbon Renovation Revolution

GST, along with other national startups, such as Sealed and Saaf, will help create the consumer demand needed to transform the existing housing stock into energy-efficient healthy homes through the power of marketing. The transition to all-electric homes is imminent, and GST has the opportunity to make an immense contribution to the battle against climate change – all the while fulfilling their fiduciary duty to shareholders with a highly profitable business model.  It aims to be a win for homeowners, a win for investors, and a win for the climate and the planet’s future well-being.

JP Barton is a long-time Colorado-based environmental activist investor and former investment banker. He advises companies, including GST and other ESG companies, on capital formation and growth strategies. He is a leading proponent of solar energy and an aggressive transition away from fossil fuel to a future of all zero-carbon 100% electric homes and electric vehicles.

Reference