Net Zero Home

Burke Services, Inc. was privileged enough to contribute
and be a part of the Habitat for Humanity Net Zero Home. The project explored
energy-efficient construction methods and net-zero energy strategies to tackled
the challenge of Charleston’s hot-humid climate.

The project utilized strategies such as Structural
Insulated Panel (SIPS) walls and roofs, air-tight construction, geothermal
HVAC, energy recovery ventilation, and high performance windows. The house will
serve as a new model of efficiency for future Habitat projects. It will also
serve as a model to the construction professionals and volunteers who learned
through hands-on engagement during its construction.

BEC had been exploring the idea of building a Net Zero
Energy House and using the construction process as a vehicle for education with
a particular emphasis on how to achieve net zero energy consumption in a
hot-humid environment such as Charleston. They approached the East Cooper
Habitat for Humanity with the idea, which President Bob Hervey enthusiastically
endorsed.

The big deal about this home is that it will generate
enough energy to power the home plus sell power back to the utility company. Of
course the initial cost is higher.

South Carolina Electric and Gas recently launched a
program to allow for a Net Zero system and have in place specific guidelines
for those who want to tap in using a specified inverter to safely put power
back through the lines.

Construction took about seven months to complete, which
is only one month longer than the construction process on a traditional Habitat
home.

The home features two bedrooms and two bathrooms and
totals 1,200 sq. feet.

The utility bills will be monitored for research
purposes.

2)    Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees. For every degree you lower your heat in the
60-degree to 70-degree range, you’ll save up to 5 percent on heating costs. Set
your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower during the day and evening. Heat pumps should be adjusted upward slowly or at 2 degree increments to prevent the  backup strip
heat coming on.

3)  Replace or clean furnace filters once a month. Dirty filters restrict airflow and
increase energy use. Now is also the time for a furnace “tune-up.”
Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy
use, saving up to 5 percent of heating costs.

4)    Check your ducts for air leaks or have a qualified heating and
cooling company check it out for you. First look for sections that should be
joined, but have separated and then look for obvious holes. If you use tape to seal your
ducts avoid cloth-backed, rubber adhesive or cheap duct tape because it tends
to fail quickly. Instead use mastic, foil, or duct tape with the Underwriters
Laboratories (UL) logo. UL151B-FX particularly.

5)     By combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with recommended
insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings, you can cut your energy use
for heating and cooling. Also you will be GOING GREEN by reduce environmental
emissions—from 20 – 50 percent.

6)     Reduce your hot water heater temperature. It will also help you save some money. Set
your water heater to the “normal” setting of 120-degrees Fahrenheit. Savings
are said to be around 7-11 percent of water heating costs. Insulate the first 5
feet of pipe coming out of the top of your water heater or the whole length
until the pipe. Pipe insulation is available from your hardware store.

7)     Seal up the air leaks. Caulk leaks around windows and doors. Look for places where
you have pipes, vents or electrical conduits that go through the wall, ceiling
or floor. Check the bathroom, underneath the kitchen sink, pipes inside a
closet, etc. If you find a gap at the point where the pipe or vents goes
through the wall, seal it up. Caulk works best on small gaps. Lowes or Home
Depot should have products to close the larger holes.

8)     If you have a fireplace you have a few options as well. Traditional fireplaces are
an energy waster. It’s best to keep them shut when not in use because they pull
heated air out of the house and up the chimney. So it is always important to
make absolutely sure the damper is closed. Before closing the damper it is a
good idea to make sure that you don’t have any smoldering embers. If you decide
not to use a fireplace, then block off the chimney with a piece of rigid
insulation from the hardware store that fits snugly into the space. The reason
is dampers don’t shut fully without some leaking.

9)      If you have to replace your hot water heater look into a tankless hot water heater. You will save money and space with “ENERGY STAR” qualified gas tankless hot water heater.

10)     If you are having to replace or looking to replace your heating and air conditioning
equipment don’t just look at the SEER number or the name of the equipment. Just
because it is the item recommended doesn’t mean that there isn’t something
better or more efficient for you and your home. It is very important to look at
the EER, HSPF, and BTU output numbers to make sure you are getting the most efficient
product. If someone tells you they are not important then why does the
government base all their recommendations off of these numbers? Always look
into Variable Speed Indoor Fan Motors/Dehumidification, Two Stage Compressors,
Dual Fuel, Geothermal, Two Stage/Modulating Gas Furnaces, and 90% Plus Furnaces.
These are all features that will help your new hvac system be more efficient and
saves you money. So remember just because the SEER number is high and your
promised it’s the best piece of equipment out there do your research and ask
for these other key performance numbers also. Sometimes spending more upfront
provides a greater payback in the end and a lower carbon footprint.