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Zero Energy Guide

Helping you build the most efficient homes.

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A new guide for building greener, healthier homes that save the planet, while saving money.

We spend over 90% of our time indoors. So with more and more people working from home in addition to raising their families there, it’s not surprising that interest in building Zero Energy homes is growing.

Zero Energy homes are constructed to the highest level of energy efficiency and air quality, and only use energy that is offset by solar or other renewable energy sources. They typically use 50 - 70% less energy than traditional homes. Plus, they’re not only friendly to the environment, but to a homebuyer’s health as well.

This EPB Zero Energy Resource Guide includes ways to save energy and money for the homes you build - and make them more attractive to homebuyers. The guide provides an easy checklist of products and building practices that are proven to make homes more energy efficient and increase comfort and health.

To help you follow the EPB Zero Energy Resource Guide we recommend certain material choices and low/no-cost building practices as well as a select few budget additions such as more effective insulation, windows and HVAC equipment.

Additionally, EPB Energy ProsSM are available to provide free consultations in following the guidelines to achieve optimal results for your homebuyers. You can schedule a free EPB Energy Pros consultation by visiting epb.com/energypros or by calling 423-648-1372.

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  • Homes built in accordance with the EPB Zero Energy Resource Guide can save homeowners as much as 50 to 70 percent on their energy use.
  • These guidelines also give homeowners assurance of a higher indoor air quality standards.
  • We’ll also help contractors apply for third-party certification for programs such as the DOE Zero Energy Ready certification, EPA Energy Star certification and EPA Indoor airPLUS certification; as well as take advantage of the Residential Energy Property Credit.
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EPB Zero Energy Resource Guide

EPB Zero Energy Resource Guide includes this streamlined, easy-to-use checklist of products and building practices to consider for new home construction.

Advanced Framing

  • 2x6 studs with insulated headers AND
  • California corners: technique that insulates the whole wall, leaving no gap in any corner AND
  • Ladder Framing:
    • Ladders where interior walls meet exterior walls OR
    • Use of Structural Insulated Panels OR
    • Use of Insulated Concrete Forms

Windows and Doors

  • U Value 0.3 or better for windows AND
  • SHGC 0.25 or better for doors

Air Infiltration

  • Achieve <2.0 ACH50 (number of air exchanges made in one hour)

Ducts

  • Use ductless mini splits OR
  • Place ducts within a conditioned space, like a conditioned attic or crawlspace

Mechanical System

  • Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) at least 8.5 for Air Conditioning units AND
  • Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) 15 for furnaces, water heaters, and boilers AND
  • Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) 90% for heat pumps
    • Examples that meet this standard include: Ductless mini split, ducted mini split, variable capacity heat pump, duel fuel heat pump, geothermal ground/water source heat pump

Ventilation

  • Use of one of the following:
    • Heat Recovery Ventilator OR
    • Energy Recovery Ventilator OR
    • Conditioning Energy Recovery Ventilator

Thermostat

  • Use "smart" or programmable thermostats
    • Examples: Nest Thermostat, EcoBee, Honeywell Lyric, Honeywell Home
  • Include 95% LED Lighting on the premise as counted by number of lamps in home.
  • Choose one (or more as applicable) of the following:
    • Electric Heat Pump Hot Water Heater OR
    • Energy Star® rated Electric Hot Water Heater OR
    • Solar Hot Water Heater
  • All qualifying appliances must be rated Energy Star® if the builder is providing any of the following:
    • Refrigerator
    • Freezer
    • Dehumidifier
    • Humidifier
    • Dishwasher
    • Clothes Washer
    • Clothes Dryer
    • Ceiling Fans
  • Provide minimum grounded, four wire, 40 A, 240 V outlet for EV Charger in a garage or on the exterior of home if a garage installation is not applicable.
  • Use low/no VOC materials
  • Use all of the following as applicable:
    • Zero VOC paint AND
    • Low or no VOC sealants, stains, adhesives AND
    • Greenguard certified OR CRI Green Label Plus carpet AND
    • Greenguard certified and/or use of cellulose insulation
  • Must meet a HERS Model of 50 or less without solar generation on-site or 15 or less with solar on-site, including on-site or community solar or other energy modeling showing zero energy. Modeling assumptions will be confirmed by on-site inspections. EPB can perform blind analysis and determine solar share panel needs. Testing will occur at final inspection at no additional cost to builders.
  • An EPB Energy Pro will conduct a site visit to determine solar suitability. If on-site solar and storage is the preferred option for the home, we recommend getting estimates from at least three third-party installers, and we will be happy to review those estimates with you and answer any questions you may have. In addition, we can provide you with information about how to use community solar as a cost-cost effective way to use solar energy to off-set energy use.
  • Indoor airPLUS is a third-party certification program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that ensures healthier indoor air quality by recommending certain building practices and product types. EPB will help you obtain certification for each qualifying home you build for a fee of $150.

For more information visit epa.gov/indoorairplus.

Have Questions About the EPB Zero Energy Resource Guide?

We’re happy to help. Explore answers to the most common questions we get below or get in touch with us!

If you’re building a home, renovating a home or simply making home improvements, you can follow EPB’s Zero Energy Resource Guide recommendations. Some of the recommendations need to be considered early in the homebuilding process, but some can be adopted as renovations or home improvements are made. However, any of the Zero Energy recommendations you follow will help make your home more energy efficient and can improve air quality.

EPB’s cost-effective recommendations include building materials such as advanced framing materials, certain doors & windows, and air filtration systems. The Guide also includes specific HVAC system recommendations, appliance specifications, lighting and air quality measures. Other tips address renewable energy readiness, including EV charging outlets and solar energy analysis and support. An EPB Energy Pro will be happy to answer any questions. You can schedule a free Energy Pro consultation by visiting epb.com/energypros or calling 423-648-1372.

Absolutely! EPB Energy Pros are standing by free of charge to consult with you on EPB Zero Energy recommendations, or anything energy related. To schedule a free EPB Energy Pro consultation, visit epb.com/energypros or call 423-648-1372.

As more and more homebuyers look for energy efficient homes, Zero Energy homes will give homebuilders and existing homeowners a sales advantage over traditionally-built homes. There are also tax incentives available to homebuilders for energy efficient homes built above and beyond EPB’s Zero Energy recommendations. The 2021 Energy Efficiency Tax Credit gives a $2,000 incentive to builders for each new home construction that meets a 50% energy efficient standard and $1,000 per manufactured home that meets a 30% energy efficient standard.

You can always follow these cost-effective recommendations to improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality in your home. EPB Zero Energy Resource Guide recommendations can be followed individually, when you renovate a home or as you make home improvements, or all at once during new home construction. EPB Energy Pros will be happy to help you every step of the way at no cost. To schedule a free EPB Energy Pros consultation, visit epb.com/energypros or call 423-648-1372.

Yes! For example, EPB, Habitat for Humanity, and green l spaces worked together to implement these measures on a Habitat Home in 2019. The home included 98% of the recommendations outlined in this EPB Zero Energy Resource Guide. One year after completion, the homeowner reported energy savings of $230 annually over their previous apartment (the equivalent of $500 annually over the average residential bill in EPB’s service territory). In addition, they reported fewer allergy symptoms and better overall health. Plus, they were able to adopt cost-effective EPB Solar Share panels to offset the grid electricity needed for the home.

Yes. EPB’s guidelines include Solar Analysis & Support to help customers offset their home’s energy use using renewable energy. Our recommendations may include leasing panels from EPB’s Solar Share program as a cost-effective way to utilize solar without having to install solar panels on their home. And, for homebuilders and homeowners interested in rooftop solar, EPB Energy Pros will consult with them to determine if a solar panel installation is the right option for a particular home and even review contractor estimates so they get the best solution.

Typically a “Net Zero Energy” home refers to a residence that utilizes onsite renewable energy generation, such as solar energy, to offset its energy use. The EPB Zero Energy Resource Guide simply recommends solar energy to help offset energy use. For homebuilders and homeowners interested in rooftop solar, EPB Energy Pros can consult with them to determine if a solar panel installation is the right option for a particular home and even review contractor estimates so they get the best solution. Or, customers may utilize EPB’s Solar Share community solar as a cost-effective and convenient way to utilize solar energy to offset the energy use they use without installing solar panels on a home.

Smart Build is a certification program that includes some communications standards in addition to added energy efficiency measures. Its requirements are significantly lower than Energy Star, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home, or EPA Indoor Air Plus certification. EPB’s Zero Energy Resource Guide simply provides recommendations for building a super-efficient, healthy home. It is not part of a certification program.

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