Page 6 - Zero Net Energy Case Study Homes-Volume 2

ZERO NET ENERGY CASE STUDY HOMES FOREWORD
Foreword
Taking the first steps on the journey to design and build a high-performing home can seem daunting. Whatever the main goal - Zero Net Energy, Passive House, Zero Emissions or all of the above – scant real-world, down-to-earth advice and direction have been available. Read- ing through this little volume will help. Whether your project is high-end or humble, new or retrofit, production or DIY, single-or multifamily, these cases will stimulate, instruct and inspire. Elegance of design and quality of construction combine to create indoor spaces that not only perform at the highest level, but also delight and nurture their occupants. The technical details are there for the building professional or reader who is so inclined, but equally important is the journey conveyed through each specific narrative. It’s a diverse group of projects that reflects the rich and varied landscape of Southern California’s cultural, economic and geographic tap- estry.
Energy Efficient Building: A California Mainstay
California has long placed energy efficiency at the center of its energy policy. Beginning in the 1970s, California’s per-capita electricity usage remained level, while that of the rest of the coun- try rose by 30% - the “Rosenfeld effect,” so named for our late friend, colleague and efficiency pioneer Art Rosenfeld. Drivers of this success story include muscular building energy codes, appliance efficiency standards, long-term commitment to energy research, market transforma- tion programs, and a host of other nation-leading efforts.
iv
Zero Net Energy Case Study Homes: Volume 2