Content provided by Professor Veena Garella for the Net Zero Energy Building of STUDIO APARTMENT

Building Design

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

1. INTRODUCTION
For demonstrating the Product Specification of a Net Zero Energy building the chosen option is a Studio
Apartment, the Architectural Design of which is given below:
Figure 1 Plan of Proposed Studio Apartment

Entrance

It was considered purposeful to choose this option, whilst assessing the demand made by a large volume
of young professionals who’ve entered the job market in cities in or away from their home towns.
Choices available to them converge on stay with parents, or if away, then 'paying guest' hostels/ rental
and shared apartments/stay with near or far relations and/or travel long distances to save on paying
heavily for accommodation in the prime city. A studio apartment on the other hand is an investment the
young professional would willingly make for the initial 10-15 years of his or her career when space for
two and a probable new addition (when they decide to marry and have a family) suffices, enabling them
to adjust budgets and pay EMIs for the same.

This opportunity to service a demand in a responsible way has been chosen for creating net zero energy
homes in selected urban centres. The need for creating net zero energy homes is felt strongly and is long
overdue, thus the underlying rationale for the same.

2. OVERVIEW; NET ZERO ENERGY BUILDING (NZEB)

Concerns for rising energy prices, depletion of natural resources, impact of climate change, energy
independence and the statistical evidence showing buildings to be primary energy consumers ,has
driven the concern for NZEB, and the need for incorporating energy-efficient strategies into the
design, construction , and operation of new buildings (as also retrofit to improve efficiency of existing
ones.) Reducing dependence on fossil fuel and increasing use of on-site/ off-site renewable energy
sources is the objective of the action.

NZEB entails "producing as much energy as used over the course of one year" with applied research as
well as advances in construction technology/ renewable energy systems/academic research having
made it possible and feasible.

The broad purpose for achieving NZEB is to achieve a zero energy utility bill over one year and even
selling surplus generated exporting it from the building to the grid. The energy produced is emission-
free.

3. ADOPTION OF ENERGY - EFFICIENT BUILDING DESIGN MEASURES

Energy-Efficient building design entails adoption of measures as
Figure 2 Principles of NZEB Design

Overhangs at South facing windows are designed to shade the summer sun and embrace passive
heating in the winter.
Careful arrangement of windows allows for effective natural lighting throughout the home so that
no powered lights are needed during the day.
Passive design allows for effective cross ventilation through the entire house reducing reliance on
HVAC during hot summers.
KCMA certified green cabinets use sustainably harvested materials and earth friendly adhesives and
finishes to preserve air quality.
Sealed concrete tile and wood flooring surfaces provide a double low maintenance alternative to
conventional carpeting and synthetic carpet backers.
A heat bump water heating system work in conjunction with geo-thermal HVAC, arguably the most
effective water heating available.
Geothermal heating and cooling uses half the energy of conventional systems and creates hot water
in the process for use elsewhere in the home.

Water-wise toilets, sinks and shower heads help to reduce potable water use.
 Gutters and downspouts are arranged for expandable rain water collection.

Commercial grade argon filled dual glazed thermally broken anodized aluminium window with 3
layers of low-eflim are energy efficient and durable.
Standing seam metal roofing reflects radiant heat, is durable, recyclable and allows for easy
installation of solar energy.
Solar arrays are sized specifically for each home to generate as much power as the house consumes in
a year.
Energy monitoring system and software provide real time data to monitor solar production, manage
consumption and track the path to net zero energy.

Zero-VOC interior paint of quality that protects indoor air quality.

2x6 framing with spray foam insulation to create an energy-efficient thermal envelope.

Outdoor space is integrated into every home often in the form of a central courtyard that remains
naturally cool in summer.

Plants indoor suitable for maintaining air quality (butterfly palm/ aloe vera/ etc.)

Some interesting newly introduced measures in NZEB include the following.

0. Building Integrated Photo Voltaic (BIPV) where shading devices, walls/building envelopes, skylights,
dye-sensitized glass panels (with technological improvement) and various other devices for building parts
above tree tops could have PV, even over pergolas,

0. Geo thermal energy can be tapped at a larger housing complex level.

0. Business Model based on a Rent-a-Roof has been introduced by innovative company's where they
Rent, Maintain the solar array, Monitor and Track energy use in the building; and also give back some free
to the roof owner, using the rest for running the business for equipment purchase/ maintenance/repair
and upgrade technology, for Rating, and other associated functions of the service providing company.
4. BUILDING EFFICIENCY AND BUILDING LOADS
Figure 3 Metrics for Building Design and Energy Efficiency

High
Performan
ce Thermal
Envelope
Water
Air Barrier
conservati
Systems
on

Natural Energy
Daylight
ventilation Efficiency

Passive
Sun
solar
control
heating &
and
installation
shading
of solar Selection
devices
array of
windows
and glazing

Figure 4 Reducing Building Loads (Equipment & Systems)

High
Micro Turbines Performance
HVAC

•Energy efficient
lighting
•E- Conversion Geothermal
devices heating pumps
•Electric lighting
controls
5. STUDIO APARTMENTS- DESIGN VARIANTS
a) Single storey apartment; 2- storeyed ; 3-4 storeyed
Figure 5

b) Stand alone in a plot of land; Linear rows

Figure 6

c) Layout in a Housing Complex.

 In the Housing complex design, care is taken that building blocks share staircase access enabling
periodic socializing between residents as they move up and down staircases
 Care has to be exercised whilst preparing the layout for the complex that buildings don't come in
the shadow region and interfere with natural ventilation or passive solar heating in winters.
6. ENERGY USE FOR STUDIO APARTMENT
A broad Case Study was taken up to for Understanding the energy pricing adopted in Delhi for an
apartment with 2 residents, in a 3 sides open status.(open on East, South and West side)

PEAK SUMMER-JUNE
 Peak Summer Load--------1030 KWh. 4.7 KW
 Monthly bill charged at prevalent Telescopic Rates by Electricity company for. 1030 KWh (4.7 KW)----
-----------Rs. 9000/-
 Average Rate per Unit------Rs 8.80

Hypothesizing reducing Energy Load by 50

 Load will be 505 kWh
 Monthly bill charged at prevalent Telescopic Rates will be= Rs. 2133
 Average Cost per unit= Rs 4.22

In Temperate Weather
 Load will be 238 KV
 Monthly bill charged will be Rs 2681
 Average Cost per unit= Rs. 11.26

Based on Fixed Charges

 Fixed Charges= Rs 1900 per month (approx.)

 Cost Per Annum= Rs 22,800 (say Rs 25,000)

Purpose is to create zero utility bill from 24000 per year to NIL.

7. THUMB RULE FOR DESIGNING ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR SOLAR ARRAYS

 For 1kW generation required space
 70% of rooftop can be used
 System Size of Solar Array =
(Output will be in KWH)
 System size for India
= 10 sq m
Panel rated output x (Rooftop area/ each panel area) x 70%
KW X CUF x 365 x 24 (Capacity Utility Factor)

*For India it is 19%

1 KW system – 1600 KWH to 1700 KWH per year

8. PRICING
1 KW of Solar Plant which generates 4 KWH per day will cost Rs 1 Lakh (without subsidies) if batteries
are required it will add 30% to the cost.

This cost can be avoided by putting the system to Net Metering.