Page 112 - Zero Net Energy Case Study Homes-Volume 2

CASE STUDY NO. 10
COTTAGES AT CYPRESS
(Right) View from the Community Center deck. Post-Occupancy: Observations and Conclusions
The City of Fort Bragg, the developer, the design team and, most importantly, the resident se- niors occupying the houses expressed great satisfaction with all aspects of the project when in- terviewed for this case study. The occupants interviewed noted how particularly happy they were to receive a check from the utility rather than a bill, especially since they were on a fixed income. In addition, they were thermally comfortable at all times and were not required to consider reduc- tions in their comfort levels because of a high utility bill.
The project team described only one aspect of the design that would be done differently in a future project: the location of the heat pump water heater in the attic space. This location has several practical drawbacks. The primary one is that the heavy vertical tank is overhead rather than at the floor level, a concern in the event of an earthquake. Another is the relative difficulty of access for service or adjustment of control settings. The original location saved on assignable floor area, which was seen as an added cost factor in the initial budgeting for the project.
The project team also reported that on-site commissioning and construction inspection are im- portant to schedule. Even in relatively simple projects such as the subject of this case study, commissioning should be a priority to ensure that energy systems are functioning properly. Like- wise, a rigorous construction inspection program should be a basic part of the construction phase. A noticeable example in this project was the failure of the bathroom exhaust systems, where 22 out of 26 units failed initially, largely due to installation errors.
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Zero Net Energy Case Study Homes: Volume 2