Goal 1: Net-zero Site Energy

Measure:

Energy Use Intensity to gauge the total energy consumed by the building within a year.

Targets:

• Minimal target: reduce the overall energy consumption of the average building in San Jose, California by at least 25%.
• Design goal: reduce the overall energy consumption of the average building in San Jose, California by 40% or more.

Strategies:

• Implement PV panels on roof.
• Incorporating natural shading options such as trees to help reduce energy consumption and enhance the overall appearance of the building.
• Include energy efficient building materials such as double pane windows and self-operable windows for natural ventilation.
• Utilize energy conservation HVAC features, such as economizer mode.
• Implement plug load controls to conserve energy.
• Install energy efficient lighting systems, such as wattstopper and daylight sensors.

Goal 2: Ground Source Heat Pumps

Measure:

Energy Use Intensity or other energy measurement tool, such as the building automation system, to gauge the total energy consumed by the heat pumps within the building.

Targets:

• Minimal target: reduce the overall energy consumption of water heating of the average building in San Jose, California by at least 20%.
• Design goal: reduce the overall energy consumption of water heating of the average building in San Jose, California by 30% or more.

Strategies:

• Install heat pumps to transfer heat into the home to heat the water.
• Locate building in a warm area to ensure optimization of heat energy.

Goal 3: Thermal Insulation

Measure:

Building automation system metrics to give a more detailed overview of system performance, specifically the overall building performance.

Targets:

• Minimal target: ASHRAE Standard 55 on Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy.
• Design goal: exceed ASHRAE Standard 55 requirements on building thermal insulation by 20%.

Strategies:

• Installation of Aerogel to reduce HVAC energy consumption and create a tightly sealed building envelope since the material has a low density and thermal conductivity.
• Installation of energy efficient HVAC equipment.
• Utilize concrete as a building material due to its high heat retention properties during the summer.
• Install windows with a high R-value to reduce thermal transmittance into perimeters.
• Consider dual pane windows to further reduce thermal transmittance from the outdoors.

References:

Solving the World’s Toughest Sustainability Challenges | Aspen Aerogels

What is Aerogel, And Why Might It Be Good Insulation? (attainablehome.com)