This study investigates decision-making patterns and funding practices, as well as the feasibility of implementing Zero Net Energy (ZNE) in kindergarten through twelfth grade schools (K-12) and community colleges (collectively referred to as “K-14”). While California has seen several notable verified ZNE schools constructed recently, no schools have yet been retrofit to meet this standard; […]
Tag: zero-net energy
Concerns Over California’s Prospects to Reach Its Zero Net Energy Goal
Valerie Eacret, ERS, for Zondits A number of leaders of industry associations and the NRDC together penned a letter to the Commissioners of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Energy Commission (CEC) to voice their concerns over California’s prospects of meeting its Zero Net Energy (ZNE) goal for new homes by 2020. […]
A Zero Energy Renovation and Transforms an Energy Guzzling Home
Revell Retrofit Northhampton, MA Zero Energy Project Case Study This renovation transformed this building from an energy guzzler to a resilient and healthy spacious 2-family, designed to use less energy than it produces. Careful planning resulted in high efficiency of the building envelop, of the heating, cooling and ventilation systems. The solar panels provide the […]
Building Benchmarking Basics
Ryan Pollin for Zondits, November 20, 2015. Image credit: Unsplash It is difficult to look at a building from the outside and determine whether it is energy efficient. Dozens of window A/C units poking out would offer a big clue, but absent such evidence it’s not easy to know if a building uses lots or little […]
Narrowing the Gap to Zero Net Energy Residential Construction
Valerie Eacret for Zondits, February 9, 2015 The Proposed Revisions to the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards of the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 1, Chapter 10, and Part 6 is about as dense of a read as its title is. That’s why Zondits is doing the digging for you. While the revisions […]
Building Sustainable & Zero-Net Energy Communities in the US
Doing more with less — it’s an axiom the public sector has heard for years. Usually such a call to action is based on rising demand and limited budget. But it also describes what is achievable when communities take committed action to reduce energy consumption.