Net Zero Design

Net-Zero Energy Home Design

A net-zero energy home is the ultimate in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Net-zero energy homes produce as much, or more, energy than they use.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a net-zero energy home "combines state-of-the-art, energy-efficient construction and appliances with commercially available renewable energy systems, such as solar water heating and solar electricity. The combination results in a home that produces its own energy—as much or more than it needs. Even though the home might be connected to a utility grid, it has net zero energy consumption from the utility provider.

 

Such a home is built with every energy-saving trick in the book, including:

• Passive solar heating and cooling
• Energy-efficient construction - Design Build
• Energy-efficient appliances and lighting = Home Performance
• Renewable energy systems
• Net-zero energy homes can be set up with backup power, making them totally "off the grid."

 

If you want to achieve the ultimate in energy conservation and self-reliance, contact us  and we’ll make it happen.

For more information see the home remodeling section at EnergySavers.gov.

　

Passive Solar Heating

Passive solar home heating does not rely on mechanical systems to collect, move and distribute solar heat. Instead, it incorporates windows, walls and floors that are designed to capture heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. At EDGE Energy, we specialize in working with architects and builders to construct passive solar homes.

 

Elements of a Passive Solar Home

Passive solar homes range from those heated almost entirely by the sun to those with south-facing windows that provide some fraction of the heating load. The difference between a passive solar home and a conventional home is design.

A passive solar design usually contains large windows facing no more than 30 degrees from true south. These windows receive direct sunlight for most of the day. A roof overhang can be built to let sunlight in during winter, but block midday direct sun in the summer.

Another element of passive solar design is incorporating absorbent materials in walls, floors or partitions. Masonry walls, for example, absorb heat and then radiate it out later, which helps keep the inside of a home warm during the winter.

Using the elements of passive solar design described above, we can help you craft a new home that maximizes the use of solar radiation during winter and minimizes it during summer. Such an intentionally designed home can significantly reduce energy costs and result in maximum savings.

To learn more about our passive solar design services, contact Scott Homes, Ltd. or Colorado Energy Analysts to speak with an Energy expert.

　

Design Build

Scott Homes, Ltd.,  offers Design-Build (D/B) services, which is a method of construction where the design and construction tasks are contracted with a single entity known as the design-builder or design-build contractor.  We work closely with the Owner to target the Design with the Budget.

Design-build is more streamlined than the traditional ‘design-bid-build’ method, where design and construction are clearly separated. Across the country and around the world, design-build successfully delivers construction projects with superior results.

Some benefits of Design-build Contracting:

• Potential cost savings—an integrated team can execute efficient and innovative solutions
• Singular responsibility — only one entity is accountable for cost, schedule, and performance instead of many
• Reduced owner risk, a design-builder assumes the risk to deliver instead of the owner
• Faster delivery—collaborative project management completes work faster with fewer problems
• Reduced Litigation Claims — by closing warranty gaps owners virtually eliminate litigation claims
• Potential better quality—a design-build meets performance needs rather than minimum design requirements
• Higher Profit Margin — an integrated team is fully and equally committed to controlling costs.
• Decreased administrative burden—design-build streamlines communication between designers and builders
• Reducing change orders—design changes that occur because the design did not account for certain obstacles or situations

　

Home Performance

Scott Homes, Ltd.,  is recognized as a Home Performance Contractor Partner with Energy Star. ENERGY STAR is the government-backed program that helps us all to save money and protect our environment with energy-efficient products and practices. Whether you are looking to replace old appliances, remodel your home, or buy a new house, ENERGY STAR can help.

ENERGY STAR qualified products are equal to or better than standard products of the same type, but the good news is they use less energy! And since they use less energy, ENERGY STAR qualified products save you money on your utility bills while helping to protect the environment by causing fewer harmful greenhouse gas emissions. ENERGY STAR makes comfort affordable again and provides access to calculators of various types of its qualified products that estimate the annual dollar and energy savings you can expect by installing an ENERGY STAR qualified version.

 

What is Home Performance?

Home Performance is a whole-house approach to assessing and improving upon an existing home’s energy performance, thereby reducing energy inefficiencies, increasing comfort, and also helping to reduce its load on the environment. As a Home Performance Contractor, we view the whole house as a system which is comprised of many different subsystems that work together.

When one subsystem is out of sync, it can keep the other subsystems, and the overall house from operating at peak efficiency.   A thorough diagnosis of the different systems of your house in relation to one another is critical to prescribe the best remedies to lower your energy bills, save you money, increase your building durability, and make you more comfortable.

These are but a few of the solutions available to help you work towards energy independence:

• High Efficiency Heating and Air Conditioning
• Lighting and Electrical
• Eco-Friendly Painting & Drywall
• High Efficiency Water Heating
• Water Saving Measures

　

Renewable Energy Systems

When we say "save 20 to 135% on your energy bills," it’s not a typo. Using our full range of weatherization procedures, energy efficient technologies and home renewable energy systems, committed homeowners can create homes that generate more power than they consume by harnessing the power of the sun, earth and wind. Feed the excess power back into the grid, and instead of writing a check to the power company each month, you get a check from them.

Designing a home renewable energy systems starts with an energy audit. Once your home consumption is at maximum efficiency, we can assess your home’s potential for power generation.

We have the expertise to analyze your site’s potential for biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, or hydroelectric power generation. We will take you through every step of the process: design, installation and registration for tax credits. The technologies we will consider include:

• Photovoltaic (PV) arrays, light poles
• Wood pellet stoves – w/solar PV array and battery operated motors
• Solar thermal hot water systems – including pool, radiant, and domestic hot water systems
• Geothermal design, well drilling, and HVAC system replacement
• Home wind turbine installation
• Combined heat & power systems

A properly designed and installed renewable energy system will produce reliable, trouble-free power for decades with just routine maintenance. An improperly designed or poorly installed or maintained system could produce decades of headaches. Let the experts at EDGE Energy make your renewable energy experience a positive one. Some of the things we will consider include:

• Do you want to be connected to the power grid or off the grid?
• Should your system be roof mounted or ground mounted?
• What is the ideal angle and direction for PV panels in your home?
• How will the tax credits, battery systems, utility hook-ups, and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) be handled?
• How long will it take to recoup your cost and what will your return on investment (ROI)be?

 

At Scott Homes, Ltd., as a Certified Green Professional, CGP, we take care of everything from the initial site inspection and ordering of equipment to permitting, installation, and registration of your systems. We can even lay out a plan for selling your solar renewable energy credits. All of the system installations carry a 5-year warranty and extended service contracts are available.

If you are ready to take the next step in home energy efficiency, we are  ready to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

　

Solar Power Systems

Solar power systems are home renewable energy systems that harness the natural power and energy of the sun. Current federal, state, and local energy tax credits make it more affordable now than ever to purchase solar panel installation services and create a solar power solution in your own home. These tax credits can often cut residential solar power purchase and installation costs by 50% or more. Depending on your final costs and tax credits, your payback time can be as little as 5 years.

Related Solar Issues:

• Residential Solar Applications
• On or Off-the-Grid Solar Solar PV: Photovoltaic Panels
• Solar Panel Installation – Mounting Services
• Battery Banks and Solar Monitoring
• Generators for Homes
• Electric Car Charging

 

We can help determine whether your home is a good candidate for a residential solar power solution based on its orientation and amount of unshaded roof space or open unshaded land. If your home is well-positioned for a solar power system, we’ll coordinate the design and installation of  a residential solar power solution for you.

 

Generators for Homes

Generators for homes are an effective way to provide reliable home backup power. Installing a permanent standby generator in your home ensures that when public power is unavailable, you’ll be able to rely on your own power source to meet your family’s energy needs. Generators for homes usually run on natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (propane), or another type of fuel. Contact us to learn about the steps we’ll take to recommend and install the optimum generator for your home.

Generators for Homes:

Permanent vs. Portable Generators

Permanent standby generators for homes have several advantages over small portable generators. They:

• Have longer, uninterrupted run times (50 to 100 hours or more)
• Are already connected to your electrical system
• Will sense power outages, isolate your system and automatically start generating power whenever an outage occurs

A permanent standby generator will protect your home and family in the case of a power outage or will supplement a solar PV system during long cloudy periods. Contact Scott Homes, Ltd., to speak with a Certified Green Professional. We’ll start the process by discussing which fuel source you want to use and your home’s energy requirements. Then we’ll identify the optimal home generator to meet your needs.