1.22.09
Zero Net Energy - Advantages and Disadvantages
Zero Net Energy advantages
isolation for building owners from future energy price increases
increased comfort due to more-uniform interior temperatures (this can be demonstrated with comparative isotherm maps)
reduced requirement for energy austerity
reduced total cost of ownership due to improved energy efficiency
reduced total net monthly cost of living
improved reliability - photovoltaic systems have 25-year warrantees - seldom fail during weather problems - the 1982 photovoltaic systems on the Walt Disney World EPCOT Energy Pavilion are still working fine today, after going through 3 recent hurricanes
extra cost is minimized for new construction compared to an afterthought retrofit
higher resale value as potential owners demand more Zero Net Energy Buildings than available supply
the value of a Zero Net Energy Buildings building relative to similar conventional building should increase every time energy costs increase
future legislative restrictions, and carbon emission taxes/penalties may force expensive retrofits to inefficient buildings
Zero Net Energy Potential disadvantages
initial costs can be higher - effort required to understand, apply, and qualify for ZEB subsidies
very few designers or builders have the necessary skills or experience to build Zero Net Energy Buildings
challenge to recover higher initial costs on resale of building - appraisers are uninformed - their models do not consider energy
climate-specific design may limit future ability to respond to rising-or-falling ambient temperatures (global warming)
without an optimised thermal envelope embodied energy and resource usage is higher than needed
Invest in your future with a renewable energy powered high performance building.
It's not magic... it's building science.
Innovative design by Lloyd Hamilton, Certified Geothermal Designer, lowers first cost and operating cost, while increasing comfort and indoor air quality.
System tune-ups can save 10% to more than 30% in operating cost.
We solve geothermal system problems.
High performance design and construction management for commercial and residential projects.
Consulting services available for architects, builders, owners and investors on high performance buildings and HVAC systems.
Verdae, LLC | 90 Primrose Hill Road | Rhinebeck, NY 12572
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