Zero Energy Homes

ByAnuja Chockalingam

Surabhi Satam

Eco-Friendly HomesEco-Friendly: having little or no impact on

the Native Eco System.The most extreme eco-friendly houses of the

future reduce the environmental impact on the planet and demonstrates how ‘Less means more Quality Living’

Zero Energy DesignA ZEH combines state-of-the-art, energyefficient construction techniques and equipmentwith renewable energy systems to return asmuch energy as it takes on an annual basis.

Goal:Reduce carbon footprintIncrease energy efficiency

Steps to a Successful Zero Design Home1. Decrease the energy requirements for space

heating, cooling and water heating.2. Increase the efficiency of the furnace (or heat

pump), and the air-conditioner.3. Install a solar hot water pre-heat system, an

efficient backup water heater, and an efficient distribution system.

4. Install efficient lighting fixtures.5. Install efficient appliances.6. Install a properly sized photovoltaic (PV) system.7. Turn off lights, computers, and appliances when

not in use.

Examples.. Googleplex, Google's headquarters

in Mountain View, California, completed a 1.6 megawatt photovoltaic campus-wide renewable power generation system. Google (and others) have developed advanced technology for major reductions in computer-server energy consumption (which is becoming a major portion of modern zero-energy commercial building design, along with daylighting and efficient electrical lighting systems).

Referenceshttp://www.zeroenergy.com/index.html

http://scienceray.com/biology/ecology/three-extreme-eco-friendly-houses-of-the-future/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-energy_building

http://www.toolbase.org/Home-Building-Topics/zero-energy-homes/seven-steps-zeh

Thank You