A net zero home, or sometimes called zero energy or net zero energy, is a building where the total monthly or annual energy usage is approximately equal to the amount of energy created on-site. There are two major components of a net zero home; the first is having an energy efficient home that lowers the overall power cost required by your day-to-day needs.
And the second is integrating renewable energy resources and methods that will offset that utility usage. Why would anyone want a net zero home? Well, there are quite a few benefits including lower energy costs, less maintenance, greater long term durability, and they’re just more comfortable to live in.
Zero energy buildings are designed and built to consume as little energy as possible. When a renewable source of energy is added to these buildings, they are capable of producing enough energy to meet or exceed their requirements to run.
Net zero energy heating systems can provide energy-efficient and sustainable heating while offering the same level of warmth as more carbon-intensive choices. A few common solutions are:
Hydronic systems can be up to 70 percent less more efficient than other methods, like electricity-dependent systems. That’s, in large part, because water conducts heat better than air. The systems are also sealed, resulting in low emissions. In addition, forced air increases pressure and can push heat through the gaps in walls, windows and insulation. With hydronic, warmer air is instead pushed into the nooks and crannies.
Recently there has been a great deal interest in all electric hydronic heated homes across the country, spurred by California’s commitment to all electric homes powered by renewable electricity and now being discussed and built across the country. The collapse of solar electric panel and storage costs and the rise of superefficient heat pumps make this possible and cost effective.
The goal is to provide a building design with integrated highly efficient electric heating, hot water and cooling solution whose electric demand is low enough for a solar electric system to meet the entire load (and fit the roof).
Air-to-air forced air super-efficient mini split systems with a separate electric hot water heat pump have been available for some time now. Similar solutions are now available for hydronic systems that include hot water supply without the sound, lower efficiency and space demands of standalone heat pump water heaters, or the visual impact of wall mounted mini split terminal units.
Hydronic heat pumps provide far more efficient electric domestic hot water supply than stand-alone heat pump water heaters. (COP 4+ vs COP2), are quieter and require no makeup air. Hydronic distribution is also far more efficient than forced air. Read a detailed explanation here!
Hydronic Heat pumps provide very efficient electric hot water heating and domestic hot water plus chilled water cooling.
Ecowarm can heat a typical space using 90F–105F water temperature for floor systems and using wall and ceiling configurations in the 80F–95F range. Look at the heating capacity chart on Hydronic Heat Pumps and Ecowarm to see what a difference Ecowarm makes for increased hydronic heat pump capacity and efficiency! Ecowarm. A perfect match!
For more information about net zero energy mechanical and solar design contact Monterey Energy Group.
Ecowarm RadiantBoard incorporates the best balance of high performance, material quality, environmental responsibility, and cost. In short, Ecowarm RadiantBoard represents the best value in radiant board heating systems.
