The Harmony House EQuilibrium NZE Project:

Design, Construction and Lessons Learned

February 23, 2012 at 3 pm ET

Presented by Chris Mattock MRAIC, Principal, Habitat Design + Consulting Ltd. www.harmony-house.ca & www.hdplusc.com

Download presentation here. Members can access the recording here.

The Harmony House Project built near Vancouver, British Columbia incorporates a range of design features and technologies that enable it to utilize renewable energy in 5 different ways to heat, cool, light and power this net zero energy home. The project designer Chris Mattock will present on the design and construction process and then discuss the lessons learned from the project.

Some of the aspects of the project that will be covered include:

• The use of vacuum insulation panels in wood frame wall assemblies to achieve close to R40  in a standard 2x6 wall
• Use of a water expanding castor bean oil based spray foam insulation as the primary air barrier
• Daylighting strategies to enhance human health and reduce electrical energy consumption
• Wireless switches and sensors to reduce lighting and phantom electrical loads
• Use or a stack and wind driven air flow cooling system to eliminate mechanical cooling
• Use of PV system to both power the home and an electric car
• Use of an advanced heat recovery ventilator, zoned ventilation and controls to minimize ventilation heat losses and maintain high indoor air quality
• Use of a fabric forming system for the foundation footings that speeds erection of ICF foundations while providing a range of environmental benefits