Zero Energy Challenge

Artist renderings of project houses Massachusetts’ investor-owned electric utility companies–National Grid, NSTAR, Unitil, and Western Mass Electric, recently implemented a unique energy efficiency pilot program called the “Zero Energy Challenge.” These companies, as members of the Massachusetts New Homes with ENERGY STAR Program, have teamed up and enrolled six builders, currently constructing single-family dwellings in the Commonwealth into this pilot program. The purpose of this initiative is to promote the use of advanced energy efficiency technologies and engage Massachusetts builders in utilizing advanced building techniques.

Structured as a competition, the six projects are competing for three prizes totaling $50,000.00. Each of the homes must be completed by December 10, 2009. The qualifications for the “Zero Energy Challenge” are such that builders must use best practice HVAC installations, demonstrate the use of advanced and replicable building techniques, as well as integrating the use of renewable energy technologies.

Winners of the Challenge will be selected based on their projects score on the nationally recognized ENERGY STAR/HERS rating scale. The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) index runs from 100 to 0. Typically homes built to the prevailing code standard would score 100, homes built to the ENERGY STAR standard would score 85, and a zero energy home would score 0.

Tracking the progress and success of each of these individual projects is a function of this web site. It will follow their evolution as they move, or have moved from the design phase to completion. Each of the projects pages provides a builder bio, project overview, technical specifications as they relate to energy consumption and images. This information is presented in a format that will take the reader from virtual, computer generated results, to real-time energy performance and appearance. Proving that zero energy homes need not look any different, they just perform at a higher level.

Email: ZEChallenge@icfi.com
Phone: 781.413.4720       
Fax: 781.676.4061