Zero energy Dream Home Lau’s Pals

ZERO ENERGY DREAM HOMELAU’S PALS

Matthew Vincenzi, Stephen Sawa, Clinton Wright, Vincent VendettiMarch 2, 2011

LP

PROJECT OVERVIEW Design a net zero energy dream home that would be

sustainable and energy efficient Important features:.Electric geothermalheat pump.double 2x4 10” foamWalls.ventilation air recovery

Location (city, state) Harrisburg, PAHouse size (floor area in square feet)

3011 ft2

Number of floors 2Number of bedrooms 3Type of heating system (forced air, hydronic, radiant floor, heat pump, etc.

Electric geothermal heat pump

Main heating fuel (electricity, natural gas, wood, oil, etc.)

elctricity

Size of photovoltaic system (kilowatts)

6 kW

Solar water heater (yes or no) YesR-value of wall insulation R-42R-value of ceiling insulation R-60Ventilation air heat recovery (yes or no)

yes

Predicted or measured annual energy use

7800 kWh/yr

Case Study

APPLIANCE SELECTION We chose most efficient appliances regardless of price

because the payback would greatly reduce annual costs of the house:

Whirlpool WTW6340W clothes washer LG LFC25776 refrigerator Bosch Integra 500 SHX45P05UC dish washer

SunPower SPR-318-WHT-D solar panel Solar Inverter (for solar panels) Geothermal heat pump Solar water heater

PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN

Most windows on south facing wall to allow most light

Over hang on roof to shield some of the sunlight

South

PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN East and west walls

have multiple windows to let in light

Slabs that get direct sunlight from south and east facing windows

East

West

SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEM Twenty-four 318 W

61x41” solar panels

PV powered solar inverter (54.7v)

6 kW PV system

IMAGES: VERNAL EQUINOX

IMAGES: VERNAL EQUINOX Here we

can see the effects of the overhangs

IMAGES: SUMMER SOLSTICE continued

IMAGES: SUMMER SOLSTICE

Solar panels receive most direct sunlight during these summer months

SUMMARY OF DESIGNPenn State Center for Sustainability

Zero Energy Home Calculator

General Info Heating & Cooling

Location Harrisburg Type of heating & cooling system

Electric geothermal heat pump

Electricity cost ($/kwh) 0.1  Solar Technologies  Conditioned floor area

(sq.ft.) 3011 Size of PV system (kw) 6.0

Number of bedrooms 3  Solar water heater YesEnvelope Details Behavior  

Wall constructionDouble 2x4

with 10" foam Water conservation A lot

Ceiling Insulation R60 Uses clothesline A lotWindow typeTriple low-e Thermostat setback A lot

Upper floor ceiling area (sq.ft.) 1273

Heat thermostat setting (F) 70

North wall area (gross) (sq.ft.) 1504

Cool thermostat setting (F) 76

East wall area (sq.ft.) 333South wall area (sq.ft.) 406West wall area (sq.ft.) 220

North window area (sq.ft.) 93

East window area (sq.ft.) 179

South window area (sq.ft.) 346

West window area (sq.ft.) 68

Air tightness

Tight with heat

recoveryAppliances

Refrigerator BestClothes Washer BestDishwasher BestAmount of other appliances A lot less

Envelope Heat Trans-mission

Windows50%

Walls18%

Roof8%

Floor15%

Infiltration8%

Envelope Heat Trans-mission

-$1,200-$1,000

-$800-$600-$400-$200

$0$200$400

$144$162$208$89 $55$132 $2-165.48064881

8166

-97.227980545

9651-

262.708629364131

-788.4

Ann

ual C

ost(

$)

SUMMARY

REFLECTION1. We learned about calculating energy usages, and efficiencies in way that would help us to

design a sustainable, zero energy home.2. Understanding house systems helps us to understand how other machines and vehicles use

energy in all other aspects of our world. 3. We learned that solar energy is very efficient and is capable of providing us with a lot of

energy that is needed to run our homes.4. Zero energy homes don’t necessarily use zero energy, but they significantly reduce energy

usage. Zero energy homes are made up of many other energy efficient appliances and systems that help it run.

5. Learning how to allocate and complete jobs efficiently are significant experiences that help with future teamwork experiences.

6. How can you improve your team’s performance on the next project?7. We could probably do a little more detailed and thorough planning for our next project, but in

general we did a good job working as a team.8. What do you remember most about using SketchUp?9. SketchUp was an relatively straight forward program that helped us layout the design of our

house, and the final product of our house was the most memorable part of using sketchUp.