Buildings use almost 50% of the energy consumed in the United States in 2019, One of the most effective ways for cutting energy consumption and carbon emissions is to make houses more efficient. Accomplishing this is a two prong effort. The first is to design and build all new buildings so they produce all the energy they need. The second is, using best practices when renovating or retrofitting an existing structure.
I have spent the last several years following and chronicling the building of Net Zero Energy Homes built by Bob Irving of RH Irving Homebuilders. Bob won an award last year for the best net-zero energy home in the state. By the way, as it sounds, a net-zero energy home uses no energy accept for what it produces. In most cases, in NH, Net-Zero is achieved by the use of Solar PhotoVoltaic (PV) panels to generate the electricity.
Most people use net-metering, storing excess energy on the grid and running the meter backwards, building a credit. . When the electricity is used off the grid the meter runs forward again.
With Bob’s help, I’ve put together a series of videos about Net Zero Energy Homes. These videos explain in detail the important components which go into building a net zero energy home. Virtually all of the information contained in these videos about new construction, can also be useful in retrofit projects.
The First of these videos will be released April 1 2019, with subsequent videos being released weekly after that.
Net-Zero Energy Homes, a Video Series
Featuring Award Winning Builder
Bob Irving
of
RH Irving Builders
Schedule of Release of Videos
1. The Envelope Please
2. Moisture Management
3. Thermal Bridging
4. Infiltration
5. Air Sealing and Ventilation
Coming Soon
6. Fibrous Insulation (fiberglass and rock wool
7. Foam Insulation (rigid and spray)
8. Windows – glass, coatings and gas fillers
9. Window installation
10. Electrical system and Photovoltaics pv
