riverdale net zero project - zero energy homes

Gordon Howell, P.Eng.Howell-Mayhew Engineering © 2008

EdmontonPhone: +1 780 484 0476 E-mail: [email protected]

RiverdaleNetZeroProject– One of Canada’s First 12 NetZero Energy Homes –

2www.riverdalenetzero.ca

Focus of Presentation

Tell you about the house

Show you:– What net zero energy means

– How we achieved it

– What we’ve learned

Answer some frequently asked questions


Information in the Presentation

Repeat information:– from previous presentations;

– to introduce people to the house who have not known about it.

New information:– from additional performance modelling;

– today’s construction costs;

– new ways of presenting concepts.

There continue to be changes in the information:– as we learn more about the house and its costs and

performance more accurately.


Objective of Presentation

See what solar energy and energy efficiency can do in houses when they are combined

To empower you to get ready for the energy and environmental issues coming upon us:

– to reduce your electricity and gas bills;

– to reduce your environmental footprint;

– to increase your energy security;

– to leave a legacy…

Service to others…is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. Muhammad Ali


My Role…

I am a solar system project developerI am not an equipment supplierI have no vested interest in any technology

My interest is that you choose wisely– with your eyes wide open– based on the facts and whether it is right for you

or not.

We are open for questions, challenges…


Riverdale NetZero Team – Proponents

Peter Amerongen Habitat Studio and Workshop– designer, builder, developer

Andy Smith, P.Eng. Solnorth Engineering– consultant, structural engineer, passive solar heating

Gordon Howell, P.Eng. Howell-Mayhew Engineering– consultant, electrical engineer, solar PV, performance monitoring

Plus 45 additional team members…


Net Zero Energy Healthy Housing Competition

72 teams across Canada indicated their interest to CMHC in 2006 July.

20 were selected to design the project in 2006 August.

12 were selected to build their proposed project in 2006 October:– Quebec – 3 projects (Verdun, Eastman, Hudson)– Ontario – 3 projects (2 in Toronto, 1 in Ottawa)– Manitoba – 1 project (Winnipeg)– Saskatchewan – 1 project (Prince Albert)– Alberta – 4 projects (Edmonton, 2 in Red Deer, 1 in Calgary)

CMHC brand:“EQuilibrium Housing”


Elements of EQuilibrium HousingHealth

– Indoor air qualityEmissionsThermal comfortMoistureParticle controlVentilation

– Daylighting– Noise control– Water quality

Energy– Annual energy consumption– Renewable energy strategy– Peak electricity demand– Embodied energy strategy

Resources– Sustainable materials– Durability– Material efficiency– Water conservation– Adaptability / flexibility

Environment– Land use planning– Sediment and erosion control– Storm water management– Waste water management– Solid waste management– Air pollution emissions

Affordability– Financing– Marketability


Discussions of EQuilibrium Housing

Technology– Products– Performance simulation– Design– Installation– Operation– Monitoring

Attributes of House– Energy– Indoor environment (air, water)– Outdoor environment (water, landscaping)– Sustainability, materials– Emissions (air, water, land, waste)– Costs, economics

Organisation of Society– Policy– Infrastructure– Industrial capacity– Incentives– Subsidies– Remove competing subsidies

Technology Transfer– Communication– Awareness– Education– Training– Demonstration– Marketing


Why is it called a Net Zero Energy Home?

A home that generates all its heat and electricity on an annual basis.

It still uses energy…but it gets all its energyfrom renewable sources (usually solar)

Net zero is just the dividing line between– net deficit (when your house needs energy from the grid

because it doesn’t generate enough), and– net surplus (when the environment is better off

because your house exists).


The Net Zero Energy Target!


0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Conventional Efficient Efficient & Renewable

Conventional Energy Add

expensive renewable

energy

Net zero energy home

Achieving Net Zero Energy

#2#1 #2

Renewable Energy

Purchased Energy

Inexpensive, reliable energy

efficiency…

#1 #2

– the most expensive way…

Cost: $250k

Where is it?


0%

25%

50%

75%

100%


Purchased Energy

Conventional Energy

More expensive renewable

energy


Achieving Net Zero Energy

#3#1 #2

Inexpensiveenergy efficiency

Efficient Efficient & Renewable

#1 #3#2(but…energy efficiency is emotionally boring)

– the least expensive way…

Cost: $90k to $110k( and decreasing)


0%

25%

50%

75%

100%


Energy efficiency:

most important, least expensive


#1 More expensive…

yeah, but really exciting

Efficient & Renewable

Renewable Energy

#3#2

ConventionalEnergy

Purchased Energy

Renewable energy

#1 #3#2

– the most exciting way…Achieving Net Zero Energy


How do you plan for a net zero energy house?

Minimisethe heating and electricity consumption of the house

– The cheapest energy option

Maximisesolar energy contribution to the house’s heating and electricity supply


Design Challenge:

We know:– the goal is net zero energy…– we need large amounts of energy efficiency (EE)

and large amounts of renewable energy (RE).

??

Cost of home’s efficiency energy

Cost of home’s renewable energy

Amount of energy efficiency or renewable energy needed to achieve net zero energy

Where is the point where we decide between using more EE and using more RE?

Cost of NZE home

Small amounts of inexpensive energy efficiency

Require large amounts of expensive renewable energy

Optimum cost point…Where is it?


The Design Challenge:Is it possible to achieve NZ energy?

An average house uses:– Around 6 times more heating fuel energy

than electricity!

– Biggest challenge is not in supplying household electricity…

– Instead … it is in supplying home heating!


Integrated Design Process

1.Orientation

& shape

2.Site

design

3.Lighting,

daylighting & electricity

4.Ventilation

5.Heating &

cooling

6.Material selection

8.Quality

assurance

7.Envelope

design

© 1994-2008 Teresa CoadyBunting Coady Architects, Vancouver


Energy Flows – Standard Home

© 1982-2008 Gordon HowellHowell-Mayhew Engineering, Edmonton

Heat loss through envelope

Heat loss from ventilation air(forced plus natural ventilation)

Heat loss from waste water

Electricity used outside the home

Home’s envelope(walls, ceiling, floor, windows, doors)

Any solar heating ??

Passive solar for space heating– all windows

Appliances, lights,

electricalequipment

===============================So, we need some heat

and we need some electricity.

From where do we get it?

Why does a home have an electricity bill and a natural gas bill?

Because its on-site production of electricity and heat is not sufficient to meet

its electrical and heating requirements and so itneeds to import energy from the grids.

Any solar power or wind power??

Coal and natural gas electricity imported

from grid

Hea

tElectricity

Natural gas imported from grid


===============================The second key

to net zero energy housing is to minimise and control

the heat loss…

Appliances, lights, electrical equipment

Energy Flows – Riverdale NetZero Home

© 1982-2008 Gordon HowellHowell-Mayhew Engineering, Edmonton

Heat loss through envelope

Heat loss from ventilation air(forced plus natural ventilation)

Heat loss from waste water

Home’s envelope(walls, ceiling, floor, windows, doors)

Active solar heat for water and home

Passive solar for home heating– all windows

Solar photovoltaics (PV) for electricity

===============================The third key

to net zero energy housing is to maximise and control

the energy gains…

===============================The first key

to net zero energy housing is to control

the electricity usage…

Electricity used outside the home

Net Zero Goal:Electricity imported from grid

minusElectricity exported to grid

=Zero when added up over the year

Surplus solar electricity exported to grid

Coal and natural gas electricity imported

from grid


68 80 to 82 90 100Today’sAverage

NewHousing

R-2000 /EnergyStar

Performance– 1/3 reduction

Approx.Maximum

Performancewith Efficiency Alone

– 2/3 reduction

Net ZeroEnergy

Performance

EnerGuide Rating

Energy Consumption

(% compared to average new construction)

100% -

67% -

33% -

Energy Efficiency

Renewable Energy

High EnerGuide numbers become more expensive to reach – because increasing amounts of

the energy savings are wasted in the summer.

ecoENERGYBuilt Green

Gold

78-7962 to 65

1990s homes

1970s homes

55 to 58

Efficiency & Renewables to Get to Net Zero


Riverdale NetZero Energy Homeduplex1844 ft2 per unit3 bedroomsFaces SSE

Garage: 1 regular car or 4 Smart carsintegrated with city bus transportation

walking distance from downtown


Riverdale NetZero Energy Home

Passive solar for home heating– all windows

Active solar heating system for water and home heating

Solar PV system for electricity


Main Floor

LR

LRDR

DR

K

K

Garage

Garage

B

B

EntranceDeck

Deck


Upper Floor

B

B

BR

BRMB

BRBR

MB

NookNook

Balcony


Order of Priorities for Achieving a Net Zero Energy Home

Electrical fixtures and appliances – electricalWater fixtures and appliances – waterBuilding envelope – heating

Passive solar home heating…???Active solar thermal for household water heating…???Active solar thermal for home heating…???Solar air heating… ???Geothermal heat pump…???

Solar photovoltaics…???Microwind…???

Ultra-highefficiency technologies

Heatingtechnologies

Electricity technologies

}

}}

- cheapest to most expensive


#1. Electrical Efficiency

Energy Efficient Appliances– Stove/oven, refrigerator, clothes dryer, clothes washer– Using the most efficient EnerGuide rated appliances

Energy Efficient Lighting– compact fluorescents, LEDs– task lighting– day lighting through windows

Energy Efficient Motors– ventilation, heating

Control of Phantom Electrical Loads

Uses only 4500 kWh (about $500 per year)(conventional is 9058 kWh, about $1000 per year)


#2. Water Efficiency + Heat RecoveryTo reduce consumption of water and the energy used to heat itHousehold hot water consumption:

– average: 225 L per day– Riverdale: 100 litres of hot water per day

Drain water heat recovery– reduces water heating to

equivalent of 90 L/d

Low flow shower heads and faucetsWater conserving dishwasherWater conserving clothes washer


Riverdale NZE 90s house 70s houseWall construction: double 2x4 single 2x6 single 2x4

#3. Energy Efficiency – most important

Insulation:– ceiling: R-100 R-28 to 34 R-12– walls: R-56 R-20 R-8– basement walls: R-54 R-8 (upper part) nothing– basement floor: R-24 nothing nothing

Windows: 3-glazed (S, E, W) 2-glazed 2-glazed4-glazed (N)low-e, argon gas

Air leakage rate: 0.5 AC/hour 4 to 6 AC/hour 5 to 7 AC/hourVentilation system: with heat recovery none none

80% efficient


Wall Constructionand Insulation

Double-stud 2x4– Easily able to be reproduced

by home builders

Cellufibre insulation– Recycled newspapers – Low embodied energy– Locally produced– Sequestered carbon– Not a hydrocarbon product

– Walls: 400 mm (R- 56)– Ceiling: 690 mm (R-100)

Outside of wall

Inside of wall (405 mm,

16 inches)


Wall detail and AVB

Polyethylene air barrier stub

(as per building code)

Space for cellufibre insulation

Air barrier is on the warm side of the inside stud

Outside of wall Inside of wall

(405 mm, 16 inches)


Window Header Framing DetailsSpace for the window’s

structural support plus lots of insulation

Need insulation here, not wood, but also need structural support for window


Basement Wall Insulation

Space for cellufibre insulation (R33)

IsocyanurateInsulation (R13)

Expanded polystyrene insulation (R8)

50% fly-ash concrete


Ceiling InsulationHeight of attic hatch shows

the depth of the attic insulation to achieve R-100

(690 mm, 27 inches)

Attic hatch


North windows 4-glazings

R-10

East/west windows

3-glazingsR-8.3

South windows 3-glazings

R-7.3

Soft low emissivity coatingsArgon gas between the glazings“Warm edge” spacerInsulated fibreglass framesManufactured by Duxton, Winnipeg

High Performance Windows


2007 June 9


EnerGuide rating:(building envelope efficiency) 86 62 to 65 55 to 58

(Built Green Gold = 78, 79)(R-2000 = 80 to 82)

Riverdale NZE 90s house 70s house

Floor area: 1844 ft2 1500 to 1800 1500 to 1800

Results: Heat Loss at Winter Design Conditions

Heat loss at –32°C: 6.6 kW 20 to 26 kW 29 to 35 kW(22,400 BTU/h) (70,000 to 90,000) (100,000 to 120,000)

_____________________________________________________________# of 4-slice toasters 4 12 to 15 17 to 21to heat the house (or 6 hair dryers) (18 to 22) (24 to 30)at –32°C at night


EnerGuide rating: 93(electricity efficiency, passive solar)

#4. Passive Solar Home Heating

16.9 m2 of south glazing = 10% of floor area

20,000 kg thermal mass– Feature wall– Concrete counter tops– Extra drywall

Provides daylight to further reduce electricity consumption


#5. Active Solar Water Heating

#6. Active Solar Home Heatingcombined system

7 Zen collectors – high-efficiency flat-plate collectors(21 m2) – mounted on a vertical tilt

– to maximise winter solar gain– to eliminate snow cover– to maximise reflected solar energy

300 litres – hot water storage – water heating+ 17 000 litres – warm water storage in basement – home heating

Drainback system – water-based – does not use glycol

EnerGuide rating: 96

May include a very small solar-assist heat pump (3/4 T)


Concrete tank

17,000 Litre Solar Storage Tank

Some insulation

Tank with partial R50 insulation (walls and ceiling, R20 under floor)


12 kW electrictop-up water heater

17,000 litrewater-filled solar heat storage

tank

Solar Pump

8w

7w

6w5w

1s

2sDrain water heat recovery unit

Household hot water loads

Solar thermal collectorsQty: 7 Brand: Conergy from BelgiumGross area: 3.1 m2 each, 21 m2 total

WaterMains

Heat exchanger4s

3s

9w

Household water heating

(This shows concept.Actual design is slightly modified.)


12 kW electrictop-up water heater

17,000 litrewater-filled solar heat storage

tank

Solar Pump

10f

6h

5h

Fan-coil

pump

Fan-coil

12a

14a

Coolreturn air

from house

Heated supply air to house

Home heating(This shows concept.

Actual design is slightly modified.)

Solar thermal collectors

1s

2s

4s

3s

7h9f

11f

13a

8h

43www.riverdalenetzero.ca12

Solar assist heat pump

(This shows concept.Actual design is

slightly modified.)

Very small, ¾ T capacity (like a large fridge)

Makes the solar collectors more efficient in winter- cools storage tank faster

Allows more heat to be drawn from the solar tank- about 600 kWh

Provides cooling in the summer, if needed


Air heat recovery ventilator

Fan-coil2a

8f

Standard air ventilating system with heat recovery

57fCool stale

house air

exhaustedto outside

Warm stale house air

drawn from bathrooms and kitchen

Cold fresh outside air

4s

Cold air

return1a

Heated fresh air to

all rooms in house

6s

Warm fresh outside air supplied to

house3a

Cold fresh air

drawn from outside


Heating SystemForced airUses ventilation system that is already required by the houseLow-speed fan – very quietGives uniform room temperatures

Heat and air supply vents to centre of rooms

Return air at outside of wall

Can do this because the walls and windows have such high R-values and so:

– the walls and windows will be warmer; and

– the rooms will need such little amounts of heat.


EnerGuide rating: 100.4

(surplus of 580 kWh/year)

#7. Solar Electric Power System

28 Sanyo high efficiency (17%) 200 W PV modules (Japan)– 33 m2, 5600 W in bright sunshine– Solar array is mounted at 53°tilt to:

minimise snow cover, and maximise annual electricity production

called “photovoltaics” or PV

SMA Sunny Boy 6000W grid-dependent inverter (Germany)No battery bankExports to grid every day of the year (even cloudy days)


PV Array Installation

49www.riverdalenetzero.caSolar energy is the ultimate in wireless nuclear fusion

… where the fusion generator is very safely stored 150,000,000 km away!

kWh

PV Array

kWh

DC

Wire Service Provider's electricity distribution lines

AC

All electrical circuits in a house or building

Importmeter

Export meter

1

2

3

4

Inverter

This is by far the most common configuration for a grid-connected solar power system.There is no battery bank.

How How can you can you generate generate

electricity into electricity into your your house house

and also and also back into the grid?back into the grid?

kWh

kWh

©1995-2008


PV Array

DC

AC

All electrical circuits in a house or building

1

2

3

4

Inverter

The inverter senses that there is a power outage and turns itself off.

When power returns it turns itself on automatically.

People who say it cannot be done… should not interrupt those who are doing it. George Bernard Shaw

What happens What happens during a during a

power outagepower outage??

Wire Service Provider's electricity distribution lines

kWh

kWhImportmeter

Export meter

kWh

kWh

©1995-2008


kWh

ExportImport

kWh

1 kWh 1 kWh 1 kWh

PV system owner Neighbour

Electricity distribution lines

Ordinary kWh meter (goes both ways)

Ordinary kWh meter

Neighbour pays the ER and the WO full fees for the electricity and its delivery.

PV system owner runs the meter backwards, sending the previously

imported electricity back for full credit. In effect, the PV system owner stores the Energy Retailer's electricity but without charging any storage fee.

Exported electricity is carried to neighbour without extracarriage fees, and displaces the electricity that wouldhave been otherwise provided by the Energy Retailer.

12

3

4Electricity paid in full

1 kWh supplied, 1 kWh paid for ©1995-2008

How does "net metering" work?("net metering" means "running your meter backward")

- as solar power system owners see itEnergy Retailer & Wires Service Provider


ExportImport

kWh

1 kWh 1 kWh 1 kWh

PV system owner

Bidirectional kWh meter

Ordinary kWh meter

AESO pays the provincial export price for the electricity. Since this electricity

exists on the grid at this customer point, the Energy Retailer, in effect, swaps this electricity with the AESO in exchange for the electricity that its own supplier would have generated.

Some Wire Service Providers have meter data management fees that are quite high relative to the value of the electricity delivered ($2 to $10 fees per day to deliver 40¢ to $1.50 worth of electricity). Its time we work together to resolve this.

Electricity paid in full

Energy Retailer sells it to the neighbour for full retail price.

Net billing permits exported electricity to be valued at any price, such as:- a discounted wholesale price,- a price equal to the import price, or- a premium feed-in (green) price.

12

3

4

1 kWh supplied, 1 kWh paid for

kWh

©1995-2008

How does net billing work?Energy Retailer & Wires Service Provider

Electricity distribution lines

Neighbour


2008 January 03


How about Cooling?Very small cooling requirements…

Passive cooling:– Ventilation through openable windows,– Shading on the south windows,– Low solar heat gain coefficient (tinting) on the east and west

windows.

Active cooling:– Ground loops under the garage and next to the foundation

provide a very small amount of cooling to the fan coil and to the solar assist heat pump

– Using the solar heating system as an active solar cooling system?


What we did not use…Insulated concrete forms (ICF)– great products,

– more expensive than RNZ wall,

– did not give us the R-value we needed,

– very high embodied energy and manufacturing emissions.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)– great products,

– more expensive than RNZ wall,

– is a hydrocarbon product.


What we did not use…Radiant floor heating– great system,

– more expensive than RNZ low-speed forced air heating,

– not necessary – duplicates existing air distribution system,

– did not see an advantage in comfort – we are already going to be comfortable with our warm walls, warm windows, no drafts, and even temperature.

Window shutters (inside or outside)Concerns with:– condensation, air sealing, – rattling, effective R-value, – would they be used consistently?, – cost.


What we did not use…

Evacuated tube solar collectors (ETC)– great technology,– more expensive than flat-plate collectors,– concerned about durability.

Geothermal Heat Pump (GTHP)– great technology,– was a possibility,– did consider it,– could still be a good option if we did not

have an active solar space heating system.


Why use expensive electricity instead of cheap natural gas?

If we supplied our backup heat from natural gas,we would only be need 4.6 GJ worth of heat, which would meanwe would need to burn 4.9 GJ of natural gas to get this heat.

This would cost us:– $42 for the gas (= $40 to heat the house and $2 to heat the water)– plus $348 for the annual service charges – for a total of $390 per year.

Natural gas: $390 for 4.6 GJ of heat = $84 /GJ.

Electricity: $145 for 4.6 GJ of heat at $31 /GJ.


Other options to consider on next houses

Solarwall air pre-heating

Solarwall air heating to recover heat from solar PV system

Very small geothermal heat pump

Recycling grey water in the house

Solarwall pre-heat to clothes dryer

Drying cabinet (as supplement to clothes dryer)


Water heating energy [kWh]

8250 kWh

Water efficiency + Heat recovery

Conventional home

Active solar heating

98% 100%

Solar PV

75%

natural gas------

Home heating energy [kWh]

22,970 kWh

RNZ with conventional construction

53% savings

Heating efficiency:building envelope and mechanical systems

Internal gains(electricity and people)

Passive solar heating


66%

85%

95%0

100%

Solar PV

Heating: natural gas-------------

Electrical energy [kWh]

9060 kWh

Conventional home

Solar PV

-620

surplus

Electrical efficiency

52%

107%

Energy Consumption(preliminary numbers)

electricity------ electricity-------

4350

2060

7890


Water heating costs

$259 energy costs


Conventional home

$62


95%$8

Solar PV

76%natural gas

Home heating bill

$1070 bill

RNZ with conventional construction, reduced by passive solar and internal gains (people and electricity)

$688

36% savings

Heating efficiencyInternal gains(electricity and people)



$594

44%

$457

57%

$137

87%

$0 bill100%

Solar PV

Supplementary heating: natural gas

Electricity bill

Conventional home

Solar PV


42%

88%

Energy Bills (2007 prices)

Costs: $25k none ??? $16k $2.5k $8k $2k $35k

$722 energy costs

$340

$246

$109

$1012 energy costs

$502

$7.5k $1k

$1226 bill

Natural gas subscription fees = $348 /year

Electricity subscription fees = $214 /year {

gas elecgas electricity -$48

gas

100% $0 costs

$166 bill

$716

}


Electrical energyemissions [kg]

Water heating emissions [kg]

2240 kg


Conventional water heating

560


94%130

100%0

Solar PV

75%

Home heating emissions [kg]

6250 kg


2960 kg remaining

53% savings

Heating efficiency

Internal gains(electricity and people)



2100

66%

915

85%

936

85%

0100%

Solar PV

7540 kg

Conventionalhome

3620

Solar PV

-510


52%

107%

GHG Emissions

Helps to restore the environment

elecnatural gasgas gas

gas electricity



Total energy bill

Energy efficiency, internal gains, heat recovery

Conventional home


94%

Solar PV

42%

Total fossil energy use

40,300 kWh


65% savings




Solar PV

76%

86%

-620102%

Total emissions

Conventional home

Solar PV


61%

103%

Capital costs: $30k $24k

14,300

9,800

5,600

16,040 kg

6,300

-510$44k

Summary$ 2541

$ 1464

$665

52%


$636

67%

$850

-$48

68%

5,100


71%

4,000


elec.gas


natural gas gas gas elec.

natural gas gas gas elec.

Green power value:$385 $152 $122 $113 -$12

$166

$ 1979

Sub. fees$562{

$902

$ 1228


Preliminary Cost Numbers

Wall energy efficiency: $4 to 4.50 /ft2 extra

Energy efficiency: $20k to $30kSolar thermal: $25k to $30kSolar electricity: $40k to $50k

Total additional cost: ~$85k to $110kTotal house cost: ~$244 /ft2

Socialism collapsed because it did not allow the market to tell the economic truth. Øystein DahleCapitalism may collapse because it does not allow the market to tell the ecological truth. Exxon Norway


NZE Home Energy Supply Options– preliminary cost comparison

Several competing options:

Solar PV with standard construction: $245 kSolar PV, standard construction, plus all energy and water efficient appliances: $216 k

Solar PV, solar thermal, energy/water efficiency,plus geothermal heat pump: $110 kSolar PV plus all energy efficient building envelope: $104 kRiverdale NZE house: $98 kSolar PV, all energy efficiency, geothermal heat pump: $92 kAll combinations of solar heating, solar PV, and geothermal heat pump are within ~$20k of each other.

Conclusion:Energy efficiency pays off very quicklyMany opportunities to develop innovative technologies, strategies and commercial capacity to achieve net zero energy.


Why Net Zero Energy…

Why not just buy Green Power?Very important question

Does energy matter?– No!!! (but it is exciting to relate to and talk about…)

What really matters is:

– Environmental degradationcaused by the exploration, production, operation, transmission, distribution, maintenance and administration of natural gas and coal resources(through air, water and land emissions, plus destruction of wildlife and plant habitat)

– Resource depletion(natural gas, coal, fields, wildlife, plants, plus clean ground water, clean river water, clean air, clean ground)


Net Zero Energy… or Green Power?

People who want one

2? Edmonton home builders

18 to 24months

$85k to $110k

0 m3

0 m3

0 kg

0 kg0 kg

$0$0

$162

Riverdale NZE home

ENMAX, Bullfrog Power, and ??Who supplies a NZ emissions home?

Most everyone,regardless of economic means

Who can buy a NZ emissions home?

$0Additional home construction costs

Now… with a phone call and credit card to a Green Power supplier

Time to accomplish NZ emissions goal

For heating: (originally 8500 kg) unchangedFor electricity: (orig. +7550 kg) now -8500 kg

Annual GHG air emissions

Natural gas for heating: (3000 m3) unchangedNatural gas for electricity: (+530 m3) now -500Coal for electricity: (+2040 kg) now -1910

Annual resource depletion(water not included)

For natural gas heating emissions: $204For coal & natural gas elec. emissions: $181

Additional annual Green Power costs

$2,625Annual energy bill

Same home except with standard construction, plus Green Power to offset all energy emissions

Strategy:


• Native and low water plants• Rain water collection• Minimal lawn• Ron Berezan

TheUrbanFarmer.ca

Landscaping• All about much more than energy

• All about beauty, nature, low maintenance, fresh secure food…


Use materials that:– Had low manufactured energy– Are cleanly manufactured– Have low transportation energy– Are highly durable

– Have high recycled content, are recyclableUses feature beams recycled from liquor store

Uses siding from the old house for finish exterior around the windows

– Have low off-gassing of VOC’s(volatile organic compounds)

Sustainable Materials, Air QualitySustainable materials database:GreenAlberta.ca


Construction WasteMost efficient (?) framer in Edmonton– Reduces framing waste– Uses roughly the same amount of wood as an

identical non-efficient home

Recycle most of the building construction wastes– Sorted into bins on site– Bins placed next to curb so that neighbours

can take what they would find useful

PlasticCardboard

Firewood Useable scrap wood RhinoBag.ca


In designing and building the house, what have we learned so far?

Likely we do not need to have a heat distribution system!– Standard ventilation system can be used to distribute any additional heat that

the rooms need in addition to the house

Make the house “grey water ready” so that when you want to add a grey water heat recovery system in the future, you will be ready for it.

Use more passive solar space heating and make sure it is controlled well.

The design, installation and control points for the active solar space heating system are quite complex.

Solar electric power is a very easy and flexible technology, though expensive.


Barriers and Opportunities

LOTS of work to be done here…– Re-organisation of society’s energy and development priorities

Green loans – interest rates easily block energy efficiency andrenewable energy options

Changes to fossil fuel energy tariff and subsidy structure:– Elimination of utility bill monthly connection charges– Full-cost accounting for fossil fuel health care and environmental costs– Remove substantial subsidies on fossil fuels– Remove industrial-scale fees and taxes on renewable energy

– where policies need to facilitate change instead of blocking the changes…


Financial Contributions

CMHC EQuilibrium Housing Initiative– $10k towards additional required design charrette, – $50k (roughly $25k towards additional required monitoring, project

reporting and $25k towards some of the design and construction costs)

Habitat Studio & Workshop– $35k project management fee (in kind)

Solar Energy Society of Canada – Northern Alberta Chapter– $12k towards design charrette– Strong partnership in technology transfer and public education

In-kind professional time and volunteer team– likely worth $200k on this first-time house


Want to Learn More?

Riverdale NetZero presentations, workshops, tours– www.riverdalenetzero.ca– Send us your e-mail address so we can keep in touch with you.

Solar Energy Society of Canada – Northern Alberta Chapter– www.solaralberta.ca

Trimline Renewable Energy Training Centre– renewable energy training courses– www.TrimlineDesignCentre.com

Eco-Solar Home Tour – 2nd Saturday in June– www.ecosolar.ca


Public Tours

When: TBATime: TBAFormat: Open house, come and go as you pleaseWhere: at the house, 9924 - 87 Street

(just north of river, west of Dawson Bridge)

Cost: Free, no need to registerDuration: Would take about an hour to see

What to see: Solar heating system, solar power system, high performance windows, highly insulated walls and construction details,air tightness + ventilation with air heat recovery, sustainable materials, energy and water efficient appliances, drain water heat recovery.

Discover details, ask questions, and learn for your own house.


City Hall

95 Street

103A Ave

House: 9924-87 St

Low Level Bridge

From 99 Street

From River Valley Road

87 Street

Dawson Bridge


What can you do?– Becoming Ready for NetZero in a New House!

Make your house as energy efficient and solar friendly as possible!

House orientation – roof lines from SW to SE

Amount of solar collection area– Area of south windows– Area of roof– Roof tilt angle

Landscaping– Well-placed trees– Deciduous trees on the south

Space from basement to attic– Conduit for electrical cables– "Chase" for 2 solar hot water pipes


What can you do?– Energy Efficiency in an Existing House!

Make your house as energy efficient as possible!

Get an energy audit done on your house – it is a roadmap of what can be done

– See www.energyexperts.ca and www.atcoenergysense.com

Replace your incandescent light bulbs (6 month payback)

Replace your ancient fridge

Change out your standard efficiency furnace to a high efficiency one

– 14 year payback (at 0% loan rate), – 18 years if standard loan at 7%.


What can you do?– Energy Efficiency in an Existing House!

Make your house as energy efficient as possible!

Lots of energy information is available– “Keeping the Heat In” from CMHC– Energy Solutions Alberta (www.energysolutionsalberta.com)

Eco-Solar Contacts and Services List for Alberta– e-mail [email protected] and ask for a copy

Sustainable Materials– See Green Alberta (www.greenalberta.ca)

Landscaping– See The Urban Farmer (www.theurbanfarmer.ca)


What can you do?– Solar Energy in an Existing House!

There is a lot of research and information already available for you.

Solar Energy– Tap the Sun passive solar design book from CMHC– Solar Energy Society – Northern Alberta Chapter

(www.solaralberta.ca)– Canadian Solar Industries Association (www.cansia.ca)

Trimline Renewable Energy Training Centre– www.trimlinedesigncentre.com on 67 Ave, 99 Street– Courses in solar power, solar heating, microwind, biodiesel,

straw bale, geothermal, carbon busting


Habitat Studios & Workshop Peter AmerongenBruce Watt

Manasc Isaac Architects Shafraaz KabaU of Calgary Environmental Design Tang LeeRon Wickman Architect Ron Wickmanarchitect Peter Bull

Riverdale NetZero Team– Architectural Design –


Habitat Studios & Workshop Peter AmerongenSolnorth Engineering Andy Smith

Dan LangfordSaskatchewan Research Council Robert DumontHowell-Mayhew Engineering Wil Mayhew

Gordon HowellHydraft Development Services David Morrowchemical engineer Phillip MeesAlberta Research Council Chris Astle

Kazimierz Szymochamechanical engineering EIT Mikhael HorvathThe Urban Farmer Ron Berezan

Riverdale NetZero Team– Energy and Water Design –


Taylor Munro Energy Systems Peg KeenleysideManasc Isaac Architects Shafraaz KabaHabitat Studio and Workshop Michel Barrierspecialist consultant Max AmerongenPembina Institute Kristin ZarownyClimate Change Central Helen Corbettgraphics and media Natasha Goudar

Scott Harrisdocumentation Joanne MoffatHowell-Mayhew Engineering Gordon Howell

Riverdale NetZero Team– Communication –


Climate Change Central Simon Knight

Servus Credit Union Gail Stepanik-KeberRichard Zolkiewski

Anielski Management Mark Anielski

ATCO Gas Walter Dunnewold

Riverdale NetZero Team– Financial, Economics –


Planet Organic Markets Mark Craft

Lincolnberg Homes Lewis Nakatsui

Alberta Research Council Dean Richardson

realtor Leslee Greenaway

Riverdale NetZero Team– Marketing –


Solar Energy Society of Canada – Northern Alberta ChapterRob Harlan

Telus World of Science Max Scharfenberger

NAIT Peggy MacTavishGreg Peters

Riverdale NetZero Team–Technology Transfer –

This is not just about building a house…

it is about helping society to prepare for

the energy and environmental issues around us…


Green Door Builders Adam LarsenTaylor Munro Energy Systems Joe Thwaites

Morgan McDonaldConergy Mark CugliettaEarthNet Geothermal Doug NelsonThreshold Energies Leigh BondTrimline Design Centre Harold VerburgGreen Alberta Stephani CarterCity of Edmonton, Environment Brenda OsborneCanCell IndustriesDuxton Windows

Riverdale NetZero Team– Technology Partners –


Riverdale NetZero Team

Hicklin Consultants Janne Hicklin

Kitska Designs Lorie Saito

design charrette Teresa Chilkowich

electrical engineer Richard Caldwell

– Management, Events, Logistics –


…we hold our childrens' future in our hands

But will they want to live……in what we are giving to them?

Gordon Howell, P.Eng.Howell-Mayhew Engineering

EdmontonPhone: +1 780 484 0476E-mail: [email protected]

©1995-2008 Photo credits: Gordon Howell,

Peter Amerongen, Max Amerongenand several others

riverdale net zero project - zero energy homes

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