What is a Zero Energy Building?

Posted by EvenGreen Technology on September 10th, 2018

Individuals, businesses, and groups who intend to pursue more sustainable energy usage in their private or professional lives should consider the zero energy building initiative. While several entities have defined what a zero energy building means for their purposes, the World Green Building Council definition is more realistic. “The World GBC definition of a net zero carbon building is a building that is highly energy efficient and fully powered from on-site and/or off-site renewable energy sources.”

Achieving this feat varies depending on local resources, geographic location, weather, and budget. Here are several ways to upgrade current systems and transition towards a sustainable energy lifestyle:

PV Solar

Photovoltaic solar (PV solar) is the most popular solar electric panel to transform the sun’s energy into electricity. This energy can be transferred to your home or business easily and supplement or support your energy consumption from day-to-day. This unlimited source of energy is great for solar Meridian and Boise clients in the Northwest who receive over 200 days of sunshine every year.

PV solar panels absorb energy from the sun in the form of photons and then convert the energy into direct current electricity. It is then used in your home to offset your electrical draw from your utility. Many state utility companies offer credits for creating more energy than you use, which is great for winter months or days when there’s not enough sunlight.

These panels can be mounted on roofs or on the ground, completely out of the way. They are relatively quick to install and require little to no maintenance.

Attic Fans

Keeping attics cool is one of the best ways to reduce energy costs during the summer. Roofs can be a major heat generator, especially asphalt tiles. Solar attic fans are a simple and environmentally sensible solution that saves you money and further energy costs. They minimize the load on your HVAC system and require no electrical wiring, structural changes, or building permits.

Insulation

Insulating your building correctly is a basic but crucial step toward saving energy in the long run. The right insulation will keep buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Discuss with a solar solutions company to determine if your building is causing you to use more energy because your insulation isn’t as sustainable as it could be.

Roofing

The right roofing can be the difference between using 40% more energy than necessary and a zero energy building. Metal roofing is the best option for PV solar and simultaneously reduces energy use. Metal roofs are designed to meet the needs of your structure’s climate and location. Their lifespan is twice as long as asphalt shingles.

A metal roof can reduce cooling costs by as much as 40%. Their reflective properties reduce solar gain and boost energy savings. This is especially successful when combined with PV solar panels.

Lighting

Switching to LED lighting and constructing a building with bigger windows can decrease energy use throughout the day. LEDs have better light quality than incandescent lights and greatly reduce energy costs overall. Installing windows for using natural light throughout the day can lessen the usage of electrical lighting. Installing blinds blocks heat but lets sunlight through to benefit your HVAC system.

Energy Management

Smart energy management systems have the ability to automatically lower your energy usage throughout the day. They can optimize temperature, lighting, adjust shades, and analyze power usage for future improvement. Energy management Boise companies, like EvenGreen Technology, can transform your business’s energy spending.

About EvenGreen Technology

EvenGreen Technology offers advanced, competitively priced solar power solutions to solar Twin Falls clients and other Northwest residents.

For additional information, visit Evengreentechnology.com