Designing the Zero Energy House

1. Designing the Zero Energy House Marcie Meditch - AIA & Mike Binder – Assoc. AIA, LEED-AP Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

2. Who We Are • Meditch Murphey Architects is a small firm based in Chevy Chase, MD. • Mostly single family homes but expanding into multi-family housing, small commercial and institutional projects. • Commitment to sustainable design that is comfortable, beautiful and affordable. Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

3. What IS Zero-Energy? • Goal : House is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes on yearly basis. • The power grid is our storage system. Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

4. Our Motivation Chesapeake Zero • To prove that a zero-energy, market-viable speculative house is possible. • Cost competitive • Beautiful • Sustainable • Because American energy independence is important. • Because a healthy natural environment is important Bethesda Zero Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

5. How to achieveZero-Energy • Highly Insulated, Tightly Sealed Envelope • High Efficiency Mechanical System • High-Efficiency Appliances • Taking Advantage of Free Energy • Solar Power – Heat and Electricity Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

6. Beyond Zero-Energy • Water efficiency • Sustainable materials • LEED-H Platinum Rating • Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design for Homes. • Levels (high to low) • Platinum • Gold • Silver • Certified • EnergyStar Home • Public Outreach and Education • Market Viability Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

7. Design Process • Integrated Design Team • Architect • Owner • Builder • Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing Engineer (MEP) • Structural Engineer • Civil Engineer • Landscape Architect • LEED Consultant/Green-Rater • Sustainability from Day-1 • Staying focused on goals • Accepting trade-offs • Energy vs. water vs. materials • Sustainability vs. cost • Up-front vs. recurring costs • Exploit synergy, know when to stop Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

8. The Architectural Design • Comfort • Aesthetics • Efficiency • Sustainability • Cost • Context Living room & Dining room viewed from Kitchen First floor Second floor Kitchen viewed from Dining Room Front of house with entry and pergola. Solar array Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

9. T2 32 29 Site Selection • Infill vs. Virgin Territory • Public Amenities • Transportation 1/4 mi 1/2 mi Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

10. Walt Whitman Senior High School Community Clubhouse Bannockburn Elementary School Community Pool Glen Echo Park Site Selection • Infill vs. Virgin Territory • Public Amenities • Transportation • Community Services Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

11. Site Selection • Infill vs. Virgin Territory • Public Amenities • Transportation • Community Services • Greenspace CLUBHOUSE PARK Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

12. Site Selection • Infill vs. Virgin Territory • Public Amenities • Transportation • Greenspace • Community Services • House Orientation for optimum solar income: • Passive solar design • Solar hot-water and Electricity. Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

13. Building Demolition & Construction Waste • Neighbors offered materials from existing house • Cabinets, • Flooring • Fixtures • Windows & Doors • Contractor salvaged all usable materials for reuse/recycling. • Very little waste sent to landfill. • Framing lumber being ordered to minimize waste. • All waste is being tracked. • Waste materials will be sorted and recycled to greatest degree possible. Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

14. Envelope – Insulation • The cheapest energy to buy is the energy you don’t use. • Continuous Air-Barrier, sealed at all openings and edges. • Basement walls : R-20 (R-13 by code) • Slab : R-10 • Wall : R-33 (R-19 by code) • Roof : R-50 (R-30 by code) • High-reflectivity roofing to reduce heat island Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

15. Envelope – Windows • Windows/Doors • U-factor = 0.32 (R3) • Solar Heat Gain Coeff. (SHGC) = 0.28 Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

16. Envelope – Windows • Windows/Doors • U-factor = 0.32 (R3) • Solar Heat Gain Coeff. (SHGC) = 0.28 • Limit East and West facing Glass • At least 50% more glass on North and South than on East and West. • Shade South-facing Windows and Doors • exclude heat in summer, admit it in winter SOUTH Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

17. EAST WEST NORTH SOUTH • Limit East and West facing Glass • At least 50% more glass on North and South than on East and West. Envelope – Windows Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

18. Envelope – Sustainable Materials • Framing : FSC if you can afford it… we couldn’t. • Soy-based foam insulation • Local or recycled gypsum • Local, recycled, reclaimed or FSC siding. • Reclaimed buildings • Low VOC sealants FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL Certified Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

19. Passive Mechanical Systems – Nature’s Services • Natural ventilation during swing months • Operable windows • Cross-ventilation • Timed or Humidistat controlled fans in bathrooms. • Awnings and trees reduce cooling requirements in summer. • South orientation allows for some passive heating in winter. Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

20. ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 3 ZONE 4 BASEMENT Active Mechanical Systems – Heating & Cooling • Geothermal – Ground Source Heat Pump • Energy Recover Ventilator • Sealed duct work, all INSIDE the Envelope. • Mechanical Ventilation – “seal tight, ventilate right” – 0.35 air changes per hour. • House zoned to allow upstairs and basement to be ‘shut down’ when not in use. Master bedroom is also a separate zone for day-night differential control. Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

21. Appliances • EnergyStar Appliances • Refrigerator • Convection ovens • Induction cooktop • Dishwasher • Clothes Washer (no dryer is energy efficient – consider clothesline instead) • Compact Fluorescent (CFL) and LED Lights, EnergyStar Ceiling Fans. • Gas fireplace w/ Electronic Ignition Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

22. Power Generation • 9.5 kW Photovoltaic array • Goal: 100% of annual electricity needs • 49 panels on the roof • Two inverters in the basement • Grid tied : power grid is our storage system • Solar Hot Water system • Goal: 85% of hot water needs • 2 flat panel panels on roof (tubes another option) • 120 gallon pre-heat tank in basement Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

23. Energy Balance • Zero was our goal, but don’t have to go that far to save money and the environment. • High efficiency envelope, HVAC and appliances cuts demand to manageable level. • Cut usage first before buying more PV panels. • Knowing when to stop – the better it is, the harder it is to improve. Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

24. s s s Motion Sensor Motion Sensor Motion Sensor tub shower sink sink warm water recirculates in cold water line RECIRCULATION PUMP Hot water heater Water Efficiency • No irrigation system required. Plants are drought tolerant. • Low-flow fixtures • 1.75 gpm shower head • 1.5 gpm lavatory faucets • 1.1 gallon per flush toilets • Clothes Washer – Water Factor ≤ 5.5 • Recirculation pump – water recirculated to tank until desired temperature is reached. • Fixture-by-fixture graywater reuse – had to delete because of county permit trouble. • Still considering rainwater harvesting AQUS system from AquaPro Solutions Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

25. Finish Materials – Sustainability • LEED Recognizes following materials as ‘environmentally preferred’: • FSC Certified (Forrest Stewardship Council) • Recycled (including rubber) • Reclaimed • Local • Rapidly Renewable (bamboo, linoleum) • Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). • No urea-formaldehyde • No exotic woods • Durability – more about how and where materials are installed than materials themselves. Ray Amos – New Oxford Studios Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

26. Finish Materials on Our project • No added urea-formaldehyde in anything • Low VOC paints, sealants, adhesives. • Hard-floors instead of Carpet • FSC / reclaimed / local Hardwoods • Engineered wood • Linoleum • Rubber • Cabinets • FSC / reclaimed / local woods • NOT planned • FSC framing or trim • Window / Door framing – hard to get. Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

27. Landscaping • Keeping rainwater on-site • Nearly 100% Pervious surfaces. • Light colored surfaces to reduce heat island effect • Rainwater harvesting (still being considered) • Bioswales (not planned) • Green Roof (planned as an OPTION) Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

28. Landscaping • Shading the House (but not the panels) • Saving potable water • 100% Drought tolerant • High-efficiency irrigation system (we need NO irrigation system) • Native Species Only • Protecting house • No materials that attract termites within 2 ft. of house. • Minimize site disturbance, add plantings to eliminate erosion. Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

29. Cost Advantages of Green Building • Basically prepaying your energy bills for next 25 years. • It’s (relatively) inflation-proof • It’s deductible • Comfort • Sustainable materials are healthier for you and your family to live with. • Tight, energy-efficient construction is more comfortable to live in (when properly designed). • Grants and Tax Rebates • Federal • State • Local • Cooperatives offer additional discounts. http://www.dsireusa.org/ Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

30. ROI on Green Building • One Example • $11,900 added cost • $1000 added mortgage payments per YEAR • $1,900 utility savings per year • About $900 / year ROI Near net-zero house in Massachusetts courtesy Steven Winters Associates Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

31. LEED-H • Administered by U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). • Considered by many to be the de-facto standard for green home construction • LEED-H is administered by approved network of Green Raters. • Other standards exist • EnergyStar (U.S. EPA) • NAHB (National Association of Home Builders). • Others? Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

32. LEED-H – Cost trade-offs • Bragging rights • Marketing tool for sale / resale • Can definitely add to cost, may save money in long run. Really depends. • Point system seems odd at times: • Skewed in places : same points for shoe rack as for all FSC framing. • No-irrigation landscape earns less points than high-efficiency irrigation system. • Tends to suppress innovation. • Zero-energy design not rewarded. Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

33. LEED-H – Our score • Going for PLATINUM (102.5 points), might settle for GOLD. Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

34. Summary – the Fundamentals • Site selection • Energy efficiency • Water efficiency • Sustainable materials • Recycled • Reclaimed • Local • Certified • Demolition and construction waste management. Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

35. Summary • Have to decide what’s important to you. Setting priorities and limits. • Synergy and Holistic design – Look for opportunities to achieve multiple goals with one solution. • Explore LEED but be open to other options too. • You want something that you will love and which will enrich the community. This is why Architects are especially important. • The Zero Energy House Project embodies all these principles and is at frontier of market-rate speculative house construction. Webcam image April 13, 2009 8:21 AM Making Progress Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com

36. Shameless Plug • For more information, visit our website at www.meditchmurphy.com • If you are looking for a good and green architect for • New construction • Additions • Renovations CALL Meditch Murphey Architects @ (301) 657-9400. Meditch Murphey Architects 6900 Wisconsin Ave – Suite 500 phone: (301) 657-9400 Bethesda, MD 20815 www.meditchmurphey.com