ZEH Report
E-Design 100 Section 004
Team: Dunder Mifflin
Team Members:
Jonathan Brancato:
[email protected]
Michelle Carney: [email protected]
Brooks Houck: [email protected]
David Torri: [email protected]
Index.
1) Executive Summary
2) Introduction
3) Customer Needs
4) Concept Generation
5) Concept Selection
6) External Research with Pictures
7) Background Information
8) Renewable Energy Survey
9) Amenity Information
10)
Cost Calculator
11)
Conclusion
12)
Work Cited
Executive Summary
Dunder Mifflin was tasked with constructing a cost-efficient zero
energy home in Northeastern Pennsylvania. In the past 10 years, we’ve
recognized the market’s demand for economical zero energy homes. In
particular, we were tasked to reconstruct a home that had previous issues
with heating. This structure produced a successive amount of waste; 40%
of its emission contained CO2. Our objective is to design a Zero Energy
Home that utilizes solar panels and other fixtures to minimize power usage
and provide a cleaner source of energy. The home's main source of power
will be solar power. It will also include energy star appliances (dishwasher,
refrigerator, clothes washer), electric heat pump, solar water heater, 3.82
kW photovoltaic system, a clothesline, water conservation systems, double
2x4 10in foam wall construction, 417.6ft^2 window area, super double low
e windows, and R60 wall construction.
In developing the design, we looked at 8 different Zero Energy
house models in Pennsylvania. Sifting through various patents and market
surveys allowed us to identify the key components we needed to
incorporate into our ZEH. We decided on a minimalistic approach to the
house in order to conserve energy. In our CAD model we show that our
home has one bedroom, one bathroom and a kitchen. This makes it have a
very open floor concept which will allow air to flow about the house; warm
air in the winter and cool air in the winter. We have two large windows on
the north and south walls of the house and other smaller 2x3 windows on
other parts of the house. All this put together creates a cost efficient and
practical home.
There were several risks involved in designing our Zero Energy
home. The highest technical risk was installing the solar panels.
Additionally we had to keep in mind the energy capacity of the house,
especially when installing the 3.82 kW photovoltaic system. We plan to
install a system with an energy safeguard, that limits the amount of energy
going into the house. Programmatic risks include budgetary restrictions and
scheduling limitations. Weekly update meetings will be scheduled to keep
everyone informed and decide upon proper materials to be used in order to
minimize costs. The final prototype will be scheduled to be finished on
3/3/17.
Introduction
We analyzed various customer needs and determined that the
dimensions of the house should be 1200 square feet to include a kitchen,
bathroom, one bedroom to accommodate a family of two. We looked at
various properties across the northeast. Many of these homes included
energy star appliances, electric heating pump, and a water conservation
system. All three of these components contribute to less energy
consumption overall. For material choices, we did extensive research and
found super double low e glass for windows, R50 for insulation, and
wooden 2/4 for wall dimensions. Originally for our main power source of
interest was hydroelectric power. However, this source is impractical in
area of Scranton, PA, which receives a great deal of sunlight. We then
incorporated a 3.82 Kw Photovoltaic cell that covers 40% of rooms surface
area to maximize the efficiency of energy saving.
Customer Needs
Concept Generation
Concept Selection
House #1
Location (city,
state)
Eastport, NY
House size
(floor area in
square feet)
4700 Square Feet
Number of
floors
Two Floors
URL of web site
where info is
found
http://www.vivagreenhomes.com/listings/single+family+home-sale-inEastport-id-4479/overview-no
Number of
occupants
4
Number of
bedrooms
5 Bedrooms
Type of heating
system (forced
air, hydronic,
radiant floor,
heat pump, etc.
Building-integrated solar photovoltaic system alongside a buildingintegrated solar thermal system. There is also a Geothermal heating and
Air Conditioning System.Building-integrated solar photovoltaic
system, building-integrated solar thermal system
Main heating
fuel (electricity,
natural gas,
wood, oil, etc.)
Sunlight, heat obtained from the ground into energy
Size of
photovoltaic
system
(kilowatts)
14kW
Solar water
heater (yes or
no)
yes
R-value of wall
insulation
R19
R-value of
ceiling
insulation
R25
Ventilation air
heat recovery
(yes or no)
yes
Predicted or
measured
annual energy
use
10% of energy is used compared to a similar seized home. Estimated
value is 1297 kWh
Any other
pertinent info
This particular home has a 5 star plus HERS rating for energy use. It also
contains several energy star appliances.
Photographs
House #2
Location (city,
state)
New Jersey
House size
(floor area in
square feet)
3295 Square Feet
Number of
floors
Two Floors
URL of web
site where info
is found
http://www.vivagreenhomes.com/listings/Single+Family+Home-sale-inMedford-id-4395/overview-no
Number of
occupants
3
Number of
bedrooms
4 Bedrooms
Type of
heating system
(forced air,
2 zone natural gas heat, humidifier, Rain bird irrigation system-well water
hydronic,
radiant floor,
heat pump,
etc.
Main heating
fuel
(electricity,
natural gas,
wood, oil, etc.)
Natural Gas, Electricity
Size of
photovoltaic
system
(kilowatts)
9 kW
Solar water
heater (yes or
no)
no
R-value of wall
insulation
R19
R-value of
ceiling
insulation
R30
Ventilation air
heat recovery
(yes or no)
yes
Predicted or
measured
annual energy
use
This home is projected to save 30-35% energy compared to a similar size
home. Estimated value is 5911.23 kWh
Any other
pertinent info
This property is built near a lake, creating a possibility for water energy
power in the future. This house contains 9 foot ceilings
Photographs
Background Information on City or Area
Scranton is an important industrial, having a total population of 76,089. It is the
Sixth Largest City in Pennsylvania compared to Reading, Erie, Allentown,
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The Lackawanna Valley is a beneficial geological
feature for the City. Aside from the Lackawanna Valley, Scranton is home to
many other resources. One includes an abundance of coal mining communities.
The demographics of Scranton include 76.809 citizens along with 30,069
households from a 2010 consensus. The average family size is 2.95, roughly
moderate. From an educational standpoint, 18.7% have a bachelor's degree or
higher.
Renewable Energy Source Survey
Q1. What is your favorite source of renewable energy?
Jane’s Standpoint- I would agree upon solar energy because it's the most
practical and available resource in its category for household use. Besides
benefiting the environment, you're also saving a good deal of money.
Daniel’s Standpoint- Wind energy, by far, is definitely my favorite choice of
renewable energy for multiple reasons. Areas such as open fields are perfect
locations to harness the wind's energy. Aside from the site of fields, wind could
also be placed on bodies of water outside cities, eliminating electrical plants if a
suitable amount is set without interference from vessels.
Rich’s Standpoint- Hydroelectric Power is definitely a powerful source. Water
makes up predominantly 70 percent of the earth's composition, creating great
possibilities of energy resources in the near future. Using the gravitational pull on
water to create energy is a simple solution of putting Isaac Newton's findings into
action.
Q2. Does your household have a renewable energy source? If so, what type?
James’ Standpoint- My home doesn't have a renewable energy source.
Generally speaking, it does have a lot of energy star appliances.
Danielle’s Standpoint- Yes, my house has solar paneling that was just installed
last spring in April. It takes up approximately 70% of the roof, granting energy
production capable of giving back to the electrical plant. I suppose the plant
should be paying us.
Amenity Information
● Energy Star Appliances
Energy star appliances contributed to a decrease of 2.5 billion tons of
greenhouse gases used since 1992. Energy star appliances brought 362 billion
dollars in savings since the start of the company as well. Energy star products
drive efficient products all across America. Over 1.6 million homes use energy
star appliances. They save up to 70% energy compared to non energy star
appliances. Some of their products, including microwaves, dishwashers, and
even TV’s are programed to cut energy supplies after a certain deal of time of
disengagement. Overall, these products are beneficial for optimal house
functionality.
● Electric Heating Pump
Operation involves separate thermostats in individual rooms compared to a
regular system in which the furnace functions as the main thermostat. Electric
heating are more efficient as a result because each is distributed to each room
directly when a disruption in temperature occurs. Heat is lost in normal heating
systems through ductwork whereas electric heating pumps use ductless air
systems. The latter can also connect to additional heating systems optimizing its
efficiency.
● Water Conservation System
Water Conservation System include multiple parts such as grey water recycling
and low flow and waterless fixtures. Grey water recycling involves reusing water
from sinks, appliances, and showers. Water is filtered, collected, and stored for
better household efficiently while saving money and energy as well. Low flow and
waterless fixtures are specially designed plumbing fixtures, such as dual flush
toilets, that will use 50 percent less water compared to other fixtures in its class.
Traditional systems have timers that automatically flush when it's not necessary.
Overall, low flow and waterless fixtures save a great deal of energy waste.
Cost Calculator
Conclusion
A Zero Energy Home (ZEH) is a house that can produce enough energy for itself
for an entire year. The home Dunder Mifflin was tasked to built in Scranton
provided a few challenges. The cold winters and hot summers required a heating
and cooling system that was both effect but used little energy and provided little
waste. After reviewing our selection matrix, the team decided an electric heat
pump would be best. Solar power was the energy source chosen for this home
because it is both cost effective and efficient. Other renewable sources such as
wind and geothermal are difficult to harness in Northeastern PA and very
expensive. R-60 insulation was decided upon given the low temperatures in the
winter and the need for thick insulation. Energy-star appliances were a must
since our customer stressed the need for ecofriendly appliances. Overall, Dunder
Mifflin was able to complete the task under budget and with great success.
Works Cited
● http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0095069614000722
● https://dqbasmyouzti2.cloudfront.net/content/images/articles/2PAsolar3.jpg
● https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&
cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjsjt2J8LDSAhVp04MKHSqPA3QQjRwIBw
&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dasolar.com%2Fenergytaxcredit-rebatesgrants%2Fpennsylvania&bvm=bv.148073327,d.cGw&psig=AFQjCNHYYn
NNup1S50gBJZhq0MDJQuTlqw&ust=1488305265127495
● http://www.energysolutionscenter.org/assets/1/Page/GHP_Position_Paper
_and_apndx_031710.pdf
● http://www.ryanhomes.com/rh-community-gallery/9627987e-def2-43518d64-05b267b1a9db/db/9627987e-def2-4351-8d64-05b267b1a9db.jpg
● http://www.crafgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/branson-realestate11.jpg
● http://www.byvinzant.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/Design_Matrix
_r4_jpg.2013647_large.JPG
● https://www.energystar.gov/about/why_energy_star
● https://energy.gov/energysaver/heat-pump-systems