Megan Dyer

Professor Padgett

English 102

04/04/17

Humans Reach for Net-Zero to Save the Earth

Energy practices have become front and center in the minds of many people around the

world. Everywhere you look for appliances one will see energy ratings. On the other side, for

every product there are reviewers bashing the product for harming the environment and not being

energy efficient. Even though people are so concerned with energy ratings and reviews, few care

enough to take action to reduce their energy emissions. The engineering and construction

industries have been working tirelessly to make advances through various net-zero geared

practices in residential and commercial buildings, now it is up to fellow builders, engineers, and

homeowners to face the issue of taking these practices and making them in high supply and high

demand so that they become common practices. In order to alleviate any concerns why there

needs to be net-zero practices, how it is possibly to achieve them Commented [AO1]: Is this your thesis? If so, refine it to
include more information about what your stance is on the
issue and how you are addressing it.
In order to make net-zero common practice, people have to understand why it is

important to reduce energy emissions. At UN climate negotiations, scientists discussed climate

change and how quickly people need to reach net-zero energy emissions before the damage to

the environment is irreversible. Experts weighed in at the conference but with varying levels of

urgency, Climate hawks say it should be met as early as 2050. Others see a few more decades of

wiggle room, but they too emphasize the need for rapid action. (Cushman). Many doubters say
Commented [AO2]: Why do the doubters say this? And
this goal is too unreasonable but not to experts. Advisors for Shell even agree that there needs to why is their opinion different from the experts? Elaborate
here
be a movement towards cleaner and more energy efficient energy sources. If a big oil company is

in support of something that could potentially harm their business, it shows just how important Commented [AO3]: This is a good point.

reaching net-zero really is. (Cushman)

Working examples of net-zero construction have already been created. For example,

nineteen affordable net-zero energy homes were built in Hawaii in 2011. Hawaii is notorious for

very high energy prices so this project was constructed as an experiment to find ways to combat

these prices. The homes are all one or two stories and around fifteen hundred square feet. One of

the most important factors of these homes is that they are built in a hot area with low winds,

making it more difficult than normal to obtain enough renewable energy to not only supply

normal household needs but also cool a house in an above average temperature zone. Each house

has been monitored since their construction to measure their performance. In the first year, the

homes performed within one percent of net-zero. This above zero average occurred because most

homes performed above net-zero and only a few performed below. (Norton) This sort of

feedback is crucial in future planning of homes. The systems used in these homes can be

evaluated on their efficiency and used for future projects. Not all homes will be able to apply to

these practices though. Results will largely depend on the tenants. Larger families that require

larger square footage will use more energy. This does not discount the fact that these are still Commented [AO4]: What is a solution to combat an issue
such as this? Maybe try to elaborate on this point.
ground breaking experiments. These homes will largely impact the construction of residential

homes and could greatly decrease energy usage worldwide. Once on wide scale production, they
would become more cost affordable and would be able to be afforded by those who otherwise
Commented [AO5]: How would these homes be able to
be built on such a mass scale? Who would be paying for
their production? Would they replace residential homes
that already exist? Try to elaborate on this.

could not afford utilities. Not only has this been done with residential buildings, net-zero

construction has been successful in commercial buildings.

 An office building in Seattle Washington was built in compliance with the Living

Building Challenge. The living building challenge is the toughest set of standards regarding eco-

friendly buildings. The founder of the Living Building Challenge said in regard to the Seattle

office building, Washington is the least sunny state in the United States, and this building is still

able to obtain 100 percent solar which shows just how incredible the construction of this

building is. The details of the various components will be discussed further later. It is important Commented [AO6]: This is kind of awkward and informal,
maybe try to think of a better way to transition this.
to note that this is a commercial building and with all of its energy efficient consideration

include, only cost the developers one-fifth above average costs of an office building of its class Commented [AO7]: This is a small amount but where will
the extra money come from?
(Thomas). Like the homes in Hawaii, the building can serve as a model for construction in the

future. Again, it will not always be possible to completely net-zero like this building is. This

office complex has no parking lot in order to encourage people to ride bikes and walk, but in

rural areas where people travel far distances to work this would not work (Thomas). Regardless, Commented [AO8]: What percentage of these buildings
should be produced then if it is not possible for all? Maybe
try to elaborate on this point
it is still a building at the top of its class and therefor a model for how to significantly reduce

energy use and waste.

You are most probably wondering, how are these net-zero building created? There are so

many different aspects that have to be considered. In the office building in Seattle, one of the

proudest spotlights of the buildings design is the staircase. It was built in a spiral with a giant

hanging chandelier over top which sparkles the light that flows in from the full glass walls. The

idea behind the staircase is that it was designed so beautifully people will avoid the elevator and

take the stairs just to be able to experience walking up it, and apparently, it works. Another

aspect of the buildings design is that it is made entirely of glass. No artificially lighting is needed

inside the building since it is designed so that the sunlight coming in from the glass walls lights

the building all the way to its center. The toilets of the building are not hooked up to the citys
sewer. Instead, the toilets are composting toilets which compost waste to produce agricultural

grade compost. The attention to detail throughout this office space is what makes it known as the

Worlds Greenest Office Building (Thomas). Of course, there were many other factors Commented [AO9]: This is very interesting, maybe try to
provide just a little bit more analysis about this building and
its components
considered in its construction, but these were some of the biggest. These do not take into account

the biggest component of energy use though, the HVAC system.

HVAC heating and air systems account for eighty-five to ninety-five percent of the

energy expended in any given building according to the Mark Lentz, the author of Achieving Net

Zero Require Innovative Thinking. With HVAC systems taking up such a high percentage of Commented [AO10]: Maybe explain more about what
HVAC actually is for those who dont know in the beginning
of the paragraph so it flows more smoothly.
energy, they are crucial in replacing in order to ever achieve net-zero. Lentz believes that with

new processes most of that waste can be eliminated or recycled. A study was done at West High

School replacing their HVAC system and energy usage was cut by seventy percent. HVAC

engineers currently model and rate their system by comparing the results to the worst possible

outcome, meaning even poor performance can receive a good score (Lentz). In net-zero

buildings, this sort of engineering is considered inefficient and engineers are using better

systems. Models need to be tested against the best possible outcome so that energy efficient

practices are constantly better themselves by being challenged against higher and higher

standards. The sort of technology used in creating efficient HVAC systems include

evaporation/condensation/freezing/thawing, air-to-air heat-exchange, and thermal and electric

storage (Lentz). HVAC systems often are used for long periods of time and so it is up to

homeowners to start making the transition to more energy efficient systems.

It is clear that making net-zero structures is possible, there are still many problems

associated with achieving net-zero. Although the technology is out there, the real barriers

imposed on technological progress are those we impose ourselves (Lentz). The number one step
before net-zero energy efficiency is reached, is to overcome the obstacle of people. People are so

accustomed to their lifestyles, and the energy they use, that they do not want to make a change.

Also, most people do not even realize just how serious and damaging wasteful energy use is. Commented [AO11]: Include more information about
why people dont understand this and how people can
become better educated.
Another problem is reaching net-zero comes from the construction industry, especially in

the case of high-rise, multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs). The current building practices

and codes create many constraints on those trying to build greener structures. Many of the codes

currently in place, and even the ones that were made geared towards more energy efficiency, are

impractical and leave room for loose interpretations. Builders are being allowed to take short

cuts which undermine the energy efficiency standards. This problem can be overcome. Through Commented [AO12]: What is your recommendation on
how it can be overcome?
modules and cost-benefit analysis, options to decrease energy waste have been discovered

(Cianfrone).

There is also the problem of how all the renewable energy practices that the world is

currently striving to implement will hold up in future climates. We all know the damage we our

doing to our atmosphere can cause warming climates, but it can also cause more extreme weather

and more frequent storms. A study was done on how current wind and solar energy systems will

do in ten different possible future climate zones. The zones were created based on Global

Climate Models predictions. In half of the climate zones, the renewable energy sources lost their

capability to achieve net-zero. Like the other current problems that are faced while trying to

reach net-zero, this has a solution as well. Photovoltaic systems can be used to overcome this

obstacle. Photovoltaic systems account for hourly building energy loads and therefore are better

predictors for future climates. When tested against future climate zones, these systems show

stability. This is ground breaking technology that will allow for renewable energy sources to be

used consistently throughout the future, without the worry of having to constantly replace and
upgrade the sources. Beside this technology which now allows for long tern wind and solar

energy use, there are also other sources of energy, such as nuclear energy, which would be able

to withstand despite climate variations.

Clearly, net-zero construction is possible. It has been proved in both residential and

commercial building. It requires attention to detail in the structure, appliances, and design.

Various components are needed to make energy-efficiency possible, and keeping an eye on big

energy spenders such as HVAC systems. Although there are problems that are still being faced,

these problems do have solutions. Humans are the biggest problem faced by net-zero. It takes a

change of mindset in people. Humans all around the world need to start planning for the future

and take action to combat the energy crisis. Secondly, lawmakers all of the world need to come

together to better the construction energy. Unless, construction stops taking short cuts and starts

using better practices, net-zero will never be reached. It may cost a bigger price up front, but

energy efficient building will pay off in the end by allowing tenants to not have to rely on utility

companies. Lastly, engineers need to be working to create modules and products that do not just

satisfy the current needs, but the future needs as well. The technology is there, so now the

initiative of homeowners, engineers, constructors, and law makers need to step up.
Commented [AO13]: Good job including the ways this
can be changed. Maybe try to elaborate more on the human
aspect, like how they can become more educated and how
people who are educated can spread the knowledge to the
general public. Also, discuss how construction workers could
find the money for the larger cost upfront, how they could
combat this challenge to make it more realistic.
 Citations

Cianfrone, Christian, et al. "Holistic Approach to Achieving Low-Energy, High-Rise Residential

Buildings." Journal of Building Physics, vol. 39, no. 6, May 2016, pp. 522-541.

EBSCOhost, doi:10.1177/1744259115623262.

John H. Cushman Jr., InsideClimate News, Phil McKenna, Sabrina Shankman, Nicholas

Kusnetz, Zahra Hirji, and John H. Cushman Jr. "Is 'Net-Zero' Carbon Goal to Rescue the

Climate Plausible?" Inside Climate News. N.p., 20 Feb. 2015. Web. 28 Feb. 2017.

LENTZ, MARK S. "Achieving Net Zero Requires Innovative Thinking." Heating/Piping/Air

Conditioning Engineering, vol. 83, no. 9, Sept. 2011, pp. 10-13. EBSCOhost,

login.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db

=a9h&AN=66893138&site=ehost-live.

Norton, Paul, et al. "Evaluation of Model Results and Measured Performance of Net-Zero Commented [PA14]: Try to include everyones name in
the citation as oppose to writing the rest off as et al. Et
al. is okay for in-text citation.
Energy Homes in Hawaii." ASHRAE Transactions, vol. 119, no. 2, May 2013, pp. 1-8.

EBSCOhost,login.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dir

ect=true&db=a9h&AN=96045853&site=ehost-live.

Shen, Pengyuan and Noam Lior. "Vulnerability to Climate Change Impacts of Present

Renewable Energy Systems Designed for Achieving Net-Zero Energy

Buildings." Energy, vol. 114, Nov. 2016, pp. 1288-1305. EBSCOhost,

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2016.07.078.

Thomas, Samantha. ""World's Greenest Office Building" Makes Net-Zero Look Easy." YES!

Magazine. N.p., 19 Jan. 2015. Web. 28 Feb. 2017.

<http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/world-s-greenest-office-building-makes-net-zero-

look-easy>.