Zero Energy Design

Our homes are zero energy, or passivehaus plus (not just zero carbon).
We achieve this using:

1. Efficient Design
2. Higher insulation
3. High performance triple glazed windows and doors
4. Low air leakage/ airtight construction
5. Mechanical heat recovery ventilation
6. No thermal bridging
7. Solar powered airsource heat pumps
8. Passive solar design principles
9. Economies of scale to reduce costs
10. Minimum surface area

 

 

By applying the design principles above, we can reduce heat loss from homes and achieve a home which has a net zero energy use, and is more comfortable to live in.

Passive House is a highly energy efficient building standard that also promotes indoor comfort and acoustic insulation. Passive House is not only one of the world’s leading energy efficiency standards but also a construction concept made to build comfortable, environmentally friendly, and affordable homes and buildings.

A zero energy home is an investment that pays for itself.

The old way of calculating the cost of ownership of homes includes monthly mortgage Principal and Interest, Taxes, and Insurance (PITI). The new, more accurate, way includes the total cost of ownership, which includes the energy expenses for maintaining and operating a home, such as space heating, cooling, water heating, lighting, appliances, as well as the cost to run all those appliances and electronics. Referred to as PITI+E (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance plus Energy) this acronym better reflects the total cost of ownership. In the future, as water prices rise, we will see stakeholders talking about PITI+EW (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance plus Energy and Water). Most certified zero energy homes already reduce overall water use by including water saving faucets, toilets and appliances, further reducing the cost of ownership of a zero energy home.

Homes are responsible for 20% of all CO2 emissions. If we all switch to a zero energy home this will have a huge impact.