DOE Zero Energy Ready Home

I attended a seminar recently presented by Sam Rashkin, Chief Architect, Department of Energy on the Department of Energy’s program Zero Energy Ready Home certification in Harrisonburg, Virginia. A DOE Zero Energy Ready Home is a high performance home which is so efficient, that a renewable energy system can offset all or most of its annual energy consumption.

This program, once called Challenge Home, focuses on conservation strategies to reduce energy load and prepping the home for solar PV panels. It includes a certification for the Zero Energy Ready Home program and also Energy Star and Water Sense. The basis of the program is a sound understanding of building science. From thermal envelope to efficient HVAC, windows, and water heating system the program helps you know which solution will contribute to efficiency. The difference in this program and others I have seen comes from being a performance based certification instead of points based. However, for us, as long as the right tests are performed at the close of construction, the certification is only valuable for resell. 

DOE Zero Energy Home Training event in Harrisonburg

November 10, 2014, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

JMU Ice House

This 3.5-hour FREE seminar will provide builders a comprehensive review of zero energy ready home construction including the business case, detailed specifications, and opportunities to be recognized as an industry leader. In the process, attendees will learn the answers to the following questions:

What is the future of housing and why is it headed there?

What new business approach is critical for builders in a slow housing market?

What critical components define a truly zero energy ready home?

How are builders offering zero energy ready homes today at market-based prices?

Why are zero energy ready homes often the lowest cost option for home buyers?

What eight compelling value propositions are unique to zero energy ready homes?

How can zero energy ready homes substantially lower home builders’ risks?

How can zero energy ready homes be constructed with readily available, tried-and-true technologies and practices?

How can builders achieve significant recognition for providing zero net-energy ready performance?

What local resources are available to assist home builders with zero net-energy ready projects?

Register here: http://valleybuilders.org/event-1775835

Speaker Information: Sam Rashkin

As Chief Architect for the Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office, Sam Rashkin’s primary role is leading deployment of successful research for new and existing high-performance homes. In his prior position, he managed the growth of Energy Star for Homes from its inception in 1996 to more than 8,500 builder partners, over one million labeled homes, and over 25 percent market penetration nationwide. Mr. Rashkin has recently been recognized for his contributions to sustainable housing with the 2012 Hanley Award and authored a new book titled “Retooling the U.S. Housing Industry: How It Got Here, Why It’s Broken, and How to Fix It”.