Zero Energy House
On the small end of the scale, a new “Zero-Energy House” debuted in Tucson, Arizona on Earth Day – it produces all the energy it needs. The house includes passive solar methodology like solid masonry construction for thermal mass, and active solar: 4-kilowatts of solar panels for electricity, solar thermal for hot water and space heating. Tankless water heaters provide backup energy. The house has a high-efficiency central air conditioning system and other appliances, efficient lighting, insulation, and windows.
The Zero Energy House was developed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center and architects, John Wesley Miller Companies. The Department of Energy (DOE) is subsidizing construction of a number of similar buildings around the country. DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) awarded a grant of $75,613 for six homes in Atlantic City.
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Toyota’s LEED-certified Building
Toyota Motor Sales USA is home to the largest green building complex in the U.S. It too opened its doors on Earth Day. The complex is the largest to date to receive a gold LEED certification rating from the US Green Building Council. The building has 624,000 square feet of office space and will initially house about 2,000 Toyota associates. Powerlight installed a massive 536 kilowatt (kW) PV system on the roof, one of the largest commercial solar systems in North America.
The project achieved 95% recycled content, including over 250 miles of reinforced steel made mostly from recycled automobile parts. The building receives recycled water from the West Basin Municipal Water District for cooling, landscaping and restrooms. Other water conservation methods include xeriscape landscaping, waterless urinals and low-flow fixtures. And energy efficient lighting, insulation and thermally insulated glass help the complex exceed State of California energy efficiency targets by more than 20 percent.
There is also a hydrogen fueling and service station to support Toyota’s fuel cell vehicle development program. The station is the first of six Toyota is building in California. Toyota worked with CTG Energetics, Inc., a sustainable design consulting firm, LPA Inc., an architectural firm and Turner Construction Company, the general contractor.
“Every decision along the way also had to make good business sense and fall within budget guidelines,” says Robert Pitts, Toyota group vice president for administrative services. “We wanted to show that building an environmentally sensitive office complex does not have to be limited to small or unique projects – or ones with inflated budgets.”
Energy Star Awards
And the 2003 Energy Star Partner of the Year awards were announced last week. Sylvania won the Partner of the Year award for lighting,
for its large product line of Energy Star lighting; sales grew by 85% percent in 2002. Maytag won the award for appliances, for its diverse product line of Energy Star appliances. Maytag introduced new models of Energy Star appliances in every product category last year.
JELD-WEN Inc. won for its aggressive promotion of the Energy Star label for windows. 80% of the company’s windows and doors carry the Energy Star label.
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