carbon neutral

Green Building Advisor Features ZED's Stephanie Horowitz on Zero Energy Homes

Green Building Advisor posed a simple question to ZED’s Stephanie Horowitz: “Is Zero Energy the Answer?” Horowitz joined a handful of experienced industry experts in submitting short essays on this topic, exploring the challenges, opportunities, and shortcomings of zero-energy homes. Many of the entries focus on rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, which generate electricity at home, heating systems and insulation, and the role homes play in the global picture of carbon emissions.

Article Link: Is Zero Energy the Answer? (subscription required)

Newton Net Zero, one of ZED’s super-insulated, net zero energy homes. EUI: 0.4kBtu/sf/yr | 0.19 ACH50

ZeroEnergy Design Submits 2018 Data for AIA 2030

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ZeroEnergy Design recently submitted project data for 2018 to the AIA 2030 Design Data Exchange, reporting an impressive 92.6% reduction in pEUI savings across its architectural portfolio. Last year, ZED reported an 88.7% reduction and was one of the only 10 firms nationwide that achieved the AIA 2030 goal of 70% pEUI savings across their entire design portfolio.

The AIA 2030 Commitment program supports the AIA 2030 challenge, which calls for all new buildings, developments, and major renovations to be carbon-neutral by the year 2030, and offers architects a way to publicly show their dedication and track their progress.

Since 2010, architectural firms in the Commitment have been tracking and evaluating the performance of their design projects over each calendar year. The data, collected via the 2030 Design Data Exchange (DDx), includes the type of building, area, baseline energy performance, and predicted energy performance. In 2017, 2030 Commitment participants saved 17.8 million metric tons of CO2, which is equivalent to the carbon that would be sequestered by 21 million acres of forest.

ZED’s continued commitment to sustainable design and energy efficiency is reflected in its excellent year over year performance. This is the ninth consecutive year the firm has achieved the targeted 70% carbon reduction.

The 2018 Summary is expected to be released during the summer of 2019. In the interim, the 2017 report is available.

MORE: THE 2017 SUMMARY OF THE AIA 2030 COMMITMENT

ZeroEnergy Design continues to lead AIA 2030 climate initiative

ZeroEnergy Design is one of only ten architectural firm nationwide that achieved a predicted energy use intensity (pEUI) savings of 70% across their entire design portfolio, according to the recently released summary of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2030 Commitment. Of the 480 firms participating in the initiative, 212 reported and only ten of those achieved the 70% goal. ZeroEnergy Design exceed the goal with an 88.7% total design portfolio reduction.

The goal of the 2030 Challenge, which began in 2010, is for all new buildings and major renovations to be carbon neutral by 2030.  One of the main targets for architecture firms is an energy consumption performance standard of 70% below average for all major renovations, developments and buildings. The other goals are reducing the fossil fuel standard by 80% in 2020, 90% in 225 and eliminating fossil fuel GHG emitting energy for all new buildings and major renovations by 2030.

Architectural firms continued efforts to reach their environmental goals. According to the report, 17.8 million metric tons of carbon savings were reported in 2017, a 6.7% increase from 2016. The carbon savings are equivalent to the entire state of Maine. In dollars and cents, this is a savings of $3.2 billion in annual operating costs.

Other notable statistics from the 2017 report:

  • The report examined 16,856 total projects, an increase of 21% from 2016. The projects came from 90 different countries.

  • Progress continues. Zero Energy and nine other firms exceeded the 70% of the pEUI savings goal and the majority of the firms are between 40% and 60%.

  • The statistics show the 2030 Commitment goals can be reached in any region or climate.

Designing and building homes that use 50% less energy than the building code requires is an absolute minimum standard at ZeroEnergy Design. We believe the 2030 commitment goals are attainable now/today and we are doing our part to make sure they are met.

MORE:  AIA 2030 REPORT