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Featured Project |
 Urban Craftsman HomeWoodstown, New Jersey
- 2,180 Square Feet of Living Space
- Modern Interior
- First Floor Master Bedroom
- Great Room With Vaulted Ceilings
- 3 Bedrooms
- 2.5 Bathrooms
- Loft Area
- One Car Garage
Traditional Style Meets Green Design
 The three homes built using this design will achieve high performance using a combination of advanced framing techniques with expanding foam insulation in the wall cavity and an inch of rigid foam on the exterior of the wall assembly.
On-demand hot water, passive solar design techniques, energy star appliances, low-E windows, and a high efficiency heating and cooling system will work together to reduce the energy requirements of each home.
The incorporation of a grid-tied solar photovoltaic system will then produce all the electricity the home uses in a year.
Total Utility Costs for the Year
Built to our standards, the total utility costs for all heating, cooling, hot water, appliances, and lighting are estimated to be less than $1,500 for the year. The same home, if built only to 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which is a widely accepted standard, would cost over $3,500 per year to operate!
The homes are being offered for sale by an IEH client at an affordable price point. Their fabulous location near the center of historic Woodstown includes some views of Memorial Lake and a half mile walk to the shore. It is also only a short walk to the local schools (K-12), grocery, drugstore, and shopping.
For more information contact IEH at
1-866-412-5332 or email info@zeroenergy.com |
| From The Ground Up With Geothermal |
 As the popularity of geothermal systems increases, it's important to consider whether these systems could be an option for your next home.
What Does A Geothermal System Do?
A geothermal system, also referred to as a ground source heat pump (GSHP), can be used as a substitute for an air-source heat pump--a home appliance that provides both heating and air conditioning.
Where Can A GSHP Be Installed?
According to the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association, systems "can be installed in a residential structure of any size, anywhere, whether it is single-family or multi-family. GSHPs can be installed on almost any size lot: under lawns, landscaped areas, driveways, or the house itself."
What Are The Advantages of A Geothermal System?
The US Department of Energy has endorsed geothermal systems for many years now: "While many parts of the country experience seasonal temperature extremes-from scorching heat in the summer to sub-zero cold in the winter-a few feet below the earth's surface the ground remains at a relatively constant temperature. Depending on latitude, ground temperatures range from 45-75 degrees Fahrenheit (7-24 degrees Celsius). Like a cave, this ground temperature is warmer than the air above it during the winter and cooler than the air in the summer. The GSHP takes advantage of this by exchanging heat with the earth through a ground heat exchanger.
As with any heat pump, ground- and water-source heat pumps are able to heat, cool, and, if so equipped, supply the house with hot water. Some models of geothermal systems are available with two-speed compressors and variable fans for more comfort and energy savings. Relative to air-source heat pumps and furnace or boiler/air-conditioner combination, they are quieter, last longer, need little maintenance, and do not depend on the temperature of the outside air."
Summary
When considering the most efficient way to control the temperature and comfort of your home, a geothermal system is an excellent alternative to an air-source heat pump or furnace or boiler/air-conditioner combination. Cost efficiencies usually occur for larger sized homes rather than smaller, because of the initial installation costs of the system. They are also a great way avoid consuming non renewable resources (such as oil and natural gas) because they operate on electricity which can be offset with solar panels.
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| Beyond ENERGY STAR |
 Have you ever considered what it means to reach beyond ENERGY STAR requirements?
The US Department of Energy's ENERGY STAR program has made an enormous positive impact on the energy performance of recent residential construction. However, attaining an ENERGY STAR rating only requires a 15% better energy performance than the 2004 International Residential Code.
Imagine exceeding ENERGY STAR standards by 50%!
"Any home three stories or less can earn the ENERGY STAR label if it has been verified to meet EPA's guidelines for energy efficiency... Builders work with Home Energy Raters to select from a number of features when planning and building homes."
In combining the same 'features' of the ENERGY STAR program with various design techniques including solar orientation, proper shading, building envelope tightening, and efficient glazing treatments, it is possible to exceed the energy performance of 2004 International Residential Code by more than 50%.
Enter Energy Modeling
Using a computer-based energy model to assist in the planning and design of a home allows for numerous iterations of a single home design before it is even built. Modifying the insulation levels, window sizes, window locations, air infiltration, heating systems, appliances, etc. can be done on an individual basis within the model. It is now possible to see the impact of these changes, whether individual or packaged, on the annual utility bill. The bigger the impact on the energy performance, the lower the annual utility bill.
What This Means to You
Combining passive solar techniques with informed, energy model-based design decisions can yield a home with very high energy performance. As a result, it is possible to exceed current ENERGY STAR performance standards by 50%. These techniques are available here and now. Make sure your design firm uses energy modeling on your next home design; it's a worthy investment.
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Whether Hot or Cold - Insulation Education |
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 According to the US Department of Energy, the greatest portion of energy consumption, 50-70%, goes towards heating and cooling in homes. Using the right insulation is one of the best ways to ensure that your home is maintaining its temperature efficiently.
The quality of insulation has rise with improvements in technology. Also, new materials are becoming available that are healthier, more effective, and made with recylced and renewable inputs. Considering factors such as R-value, installation, and air infiltration can help distinguish which type of insulation may be best for you.
R-Value: This tells a material's amount of resistance to heat transfer. The higher this number, the more insulation the product provides.
Instalation: Insulation can come in rolls, small particles, or liquid that turns into foam. Each of these has drawbacks. Rolls leave places where air leaks; particles settle over time, spray can be expensive.
Air Infiltration: The result of un-insulated gaps where air flows freely; the flow of air through the material itself lessens the impact of the insulation and the energy performance of a home.
The table below outlines many of the most popular forms of insulation available on the market today and their distinct attributes.
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Materials |
R-value |
Installation |
Air Infiltration |
Pros |
Cons |
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Fiberglass
(glass shreds, recycled) |
3.14 |
Batt or loose filled, wear protection |
Batts leave some cracks; caulking is suggested. |
Inexpensive and readily available |
Most contain formaldehyde, installation critical for performance. |
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Icynene |
3.6 |
Spray foam, wear protection |
Eliminates air flow. |
Spray fills all air leaks; natural (CO2) foaming gas |
Expensive and not readily available. |
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Polyurethane Open & Closed Cell Foam
Soy-based Foam |
7 (closed)
3.5 (open)
3.5 (soy) |
Boards (open) or spray foam (closed), wear protection |
Spray eliminates air flow; boards must be sealed at seams. |
High R-value; blocks moisture. Soy is renewable. |
Polyurethane gives off VOC's;
Long-term soy performance uknown.
Expensive.
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Cellulose (recycled newspaper) |
3.2 (loose)
3.8 (dense) |
Loose filled or dense packed, wear protection |
Some air flow with loose, more after settling. Less with dense. |
Natural, recycled. |
Dusty; lung problems if improperly installed. Loose filled settles leaving drafty gaps. |
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Cotton (recycled jeans) |
3.4 |
Batt, no protection needed |
Some air flow, more after settling. |
Natural, recycled. |
Proper installation critical for performance |
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| Financial Incentives Available to You |
As the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy generation become a higher priority for our state and federal government, increased numbers of incentives are being offered to those who make use of such technology.
On www.DSIREUSA.org you can learn about the financial incentives offered at the federal, state, and local levels for using renewable energy and practicing energy efficiency. These incentives can help decrease the payback period for your purchases and create a strong financial arguement to justify a purchase.
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