Net Zero Energy Buildings: Case Studies and Lessons Learned

This book presents 18 in-depth case studies of net zero energy buildings low-energy building that generate as much energy as they consume over the course of a year for a range of project types, sizes, and U.S. climate zones. Each case study describes the owner s goals, the design and construction process, design strategies, measurement and verification activities and results, and project costs.

With a year or more of post-occupancy performance data and other project information, as well as lessons learned by project owners and developers, architects, engineers, energy modelers, constructors, and operators, each case study answers the questions:

• What were the challenges to achieving net zero energy performance, and how were these challenges overcome? How would stakeholders address these issues on future projects?
• Are the occupants satisfied with the building? Do they find it comfortable? Is it easy to operate?
• How can other projects benefit from the lessons learned on each project?
• What would the owners, designers, and constructors do differently knowing what they know now?

A final chapter aggregates processes to engage in and pitfalls to avoid when approaching the challenges peculiar to designing, constructing, and owning a net zero energy building.

By providing a wealth of comparable information, this book which will flatten the learning curve for designing, constructing, and owning this emerging building type and improve the effectiveness of architectural design and construction. "