На английском языке. Магистерская диссертация. Работа выполнена в University of Florida, 2009, 108 pages.
This thesis studied the feasibility of net-zero energy homes (NZEH) and net-zero energy communities in hot and humid climates. This work focused on the problem statement from the perspective of the builder/developer. Feasibility was analyzed based on the cost per square foot to construct a single-family home in Gainesville, Florida to varying standards of energy efficiency. Energy-10 energy modeling software was used to evaluate energy reductions from the modeled Gainesville Baseline, to the Building America (BA) Best Practices, and proposed NZEH. The energy efficient home schemes targeted reductions, as compared to the Gainesville Baseline, of 30 % and 70 % respectively. The NZEH supplements the remaining 30 % of energy consumed via an onsite photovoltaic array (PV). The PV array was sized and modeled using PVWATTS v1 software.
Once the energy efficient schemes achieved their targeted energy reductions, the incremental costs of the added efficiency measures were determined. These costs were then organized by total incremental cost, annual amortized cost, and increase in cost per square foot to construct. These costs were separated into those to the builder/developer and those to the home buyer. The homebuyer costs included a 10 % markup from the builder/developer. Furthermore, the costs were separated into costs before rebates and incentives and costs after rebates and incentives. The final costs were compared against the calculated Gainesville average cost per square foot to construct a new single-family home in a typical community. The calculated Gainesville average cost per square foot to the homeowner before rebates and incentives was determined to be $146 while the BA Best Practices (30 % energy reduction) was $146.46, and the NZEH was $
199.80. Without accounting for the rebates and incentives, NZEHs and NZECs were determined to not be feasible at this time. The cost per square foot to construct including rebates and incentives were $140.67 for the Gainesville Baseline, $140.80 for the BA Best Practices, and $167.04 for the NZEH. Including the rebates and incentives NZEHs and NZECs were determined to be feasible at this time.
