Mandalay Homes: Zero Energy Grid-Integrated Neighborhoods that Solve the “Duck Curve”

…set of proven energy-efficiency features: Spray foam insulation: Walls cavities are filled with open-cell spray foam. While the insulating value is about the same as fiberglass batt insulation, foam does…

The Mystery of Misapplied Mini-Splits

…Load Homes It’s certainly possible to install a ductless mini-split in a conventional home with “typical” insulation and air sealing, but unless you improve the energy efficiency of the building…

A Summer Home Rebuilt on the Path to Zero

…(SIPs), insulating concrete forms (ICFs), and flexible EPS insulation sheets. The result is a super-tight building envelope that keeps conditioned air in, vastly reducing energy use – and energy bills….

Green Hammer: A Zero Energy Building Pioneer

…barriers and exterior insulation in the most constructable, cost effective means and the builder is expected to understand all of the intent of the design and project criteria without being…

My Zero Energy Retrofit Beats my 401(k)

…This excluded doing many things typically done in deep-energy retrofits: I did not remove and replace my siding to add insulation because it is so expensive that the savings on…

Products Used to Get to Zero

…plates. Two versions are available. The pre-insulated version comes with low-GWP foam insulation in the truss section. The BareNaked Tstud™version leaves out the foam, so that dense pack insulation can…

Modern, sustainable multifamily housing; ariel shot showing solar panels on roof, trees and rowhomes surrounding

Calif. Embraces Passive House for Zero Carbon Multifamily Housing

…properly installed windows are also needed to achieve proper insulation. The resulting energy efficiency and reduction in demand is critical to meet California’s climate goals, to support the electrical grid,…

Warmer Climate Construction and Design Considerations

It’s generally accepted that homes use more energy in climates that require more heating than cooling. Wisconsin is a good example of a heating-dominated climate, while Florida is clearly cooling…

Zero Energy Retrofits for Builders

Retrofitting existing homes to net zero or getting them on the path to zero is as important as building new zero energy homes. This TED Talk explains why. More and…

Improving Overall Wall R-Value With Windows

…increase the insulation of the wall. Given the same sized window, an increase in wall insulation and R-Value will get you less of a gain on overall wall assembly R-Value….

Place Ducts Inside the Building Envelope

…down the outside wall and back into the house. Standard practice for duct insulation is R-8. Compare that to the R-21 required for walls by many building codes and R-30…

Why Build Zero Energy Homes?

…typically lag behind “best practices” for insulation, air sealing, ventilation, and equipment efficiency, the most recent code cycles are narrowing the gap. Most states currently operate under the 2009 or…

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