Considerations for Designing Net Zero Houses

Climate change stories are incomplete without the big, bad villains – homo sapiens. Of all the nasty things we do, the process we use to build our dwellings and shelters is particularly nasty to the environment. According to United Nations reports a few years ago, the energy used to construct, operate and maintain buildings contributes to 40 % of global carbon dioxide emissions. That’s a big bite of the pie, and governments, environmentalists and builders are scrambling to find ways to go on a much-needed diet.
Among multiple approaches to improving sustainable construction initiatives, enter the net zero house, or a house that uses energy that it has generated by itself, resulting in a net zero emission of carbon dioxide. A net zero house generates as much energy as it uses, so it produces as much renewable energy, both on and off site, as it needs. This becomes a self-sustaining building, which is also carbon-neutral. They can also be referred to as zero carbon buildings or net zero energy buildings.
A net zero house needs fresh thinking, accurate and effective building construction processes, energy-saving methodology and the use of modern technology.
These houses do not use fossil fuels, such as natural gas and propane, at all, but rather uses electricity to power lights, cooking appliances, washers and dryers, for heating and cooling, hot water, electronics, etc. They can use tight, highly insulated building envelopes that need minimal energy for heating and cooling.
An array of solar panels and solar hot water collectors help buildings generate its own power.
Features of a Net Zero Home
Solar panels
Solar photovoltaic panels are active solar power generators, as they actively generate electricity.
Passive solar
Effective insulation
Airtight buildings
Ventilation
Heating & cooling
For a net zero home, energy used must be generated by the house.
So, what do net zero homes look like? Do solar panels and other net zero equipment mean that such homes will look unpleasant?
When It’s Good to Be Passive
There’s a nasty rumour about smart homes getting in the way of net zero goals. If the house is more connected, or more ‘smart’, or ‘smarter’, does it mean energy bills become overinflated? Packed with intelligent security, intelligent heating/cooling systems and other high-tech gadgets, does the home guzzle power?
Now that we know what they are, how they benefit both occupants and the environment, how do we design them?
Designing Net Zero Houses
Design for net zero houses requires a large amount of data and multiple processes, which is why it’s imperative professional support to supply comprehensive net zero home design services. In addition to the architect’s input, many net zero projects have an energy consultant, to build a model to view building performance, and a mechanical engineer to design HVAC systems with the greatest efficiency. It’s important to have a series of integrated design meetings with both design and construction teams for everyone to be on the same page.
Site Requirements
Design Demands
R&R (Renovations & Retrofits)
Calculating Renewables
The energy model must be consulted to calculate the amount of electricity needed to offset the renewable sources being used, through solar panels or wind, geothermal or hydropower on-site power generators.
Checking Back
Project monitoring through post-occupancy studies and adjustments that result from them are crucial to the net-zero design process.
The 2030 Challenge, an architectural initiative to have all new buildings and renovations be carbon neutral by 2030 , may seem like an impossible goal. Promoting sustainability design approaches and net zero housing can make it seem slightly more possible. However, along with needing experienced sustainable design consultants, it is crucial that architectural design services deliver accurate residential design drawings, residential construction drawings and other residential drafting services. Net zero homes may soon be the new normal.
XS CAD has valuable experience providing architectural design services and residential design drawings for general contractors and design consultants. Our range of services for building design firms across the world include residential drafting services, residential modelling and residential construction drawings, and we offer retained teams when required. We create these models, drawings and renderings by using Revit, AutoCAD, Illustrator and BIM 360 Design for cloud collaboration.