Many types of zero energy (ZE) buildings can be constructed with no added upfront cost, and some commercial buildings can see return on investment in as little as one year, according to a report by U.S. Green Building Council Massachusetts Chapter.
The report, “Zero Energy Buildings in MA: Saving Money from the Start,” assesses zero energy upfront building costs, model performance, and life-cycle costs in Massachusetts. Stakeholders and decision-makers frequently cite high costs as the primary barrier to ZE buildings, but the report contradicts that perception.
Researchers found that ZE buildings are being constructed utilizing readily available products, practices, technologies, and energy efficiency rebates. “We must address buildings with urgency, as they are the biggest contributors to carbon emissions in the City of Boston and demystify the notion that a future of resilient and sustainable buildings is unattainable,” said Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley, Chairman of the Environment, Sustainability and Parks Committee, in a news release.
The report says that building energy demand can be reduced 44% to 54% across all building types with technology that’s readily available today. Existing office buildings retrofitted to zero energy, with renewables, can produce a return on investment in as little as five to six years.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Feb 7, 2022
Energy efficiency ratings not reflecting true energy use
Highest rated U.K. buildings are less efficient than lower rated ones.
Codes and Standards | Feb 3, 2022
Illinois tops USGBC list of states with the most LEED certified projects in 2021
Top 10 states plus D.C. certified more than 247 million gross square feet.
Codes and Standards | Feb 2, 2022
Public works contracting reform advances in New York State
Governor signs bill to form advisory council that will propose policy changes.
Codes and Standards | Feb 2, 2022
Commercial and multifamily construction starts rebounded in 2021
Following COVID uncertainty in 2020, the industry recovered, but still lags 2019 levels.
Codes and Standards | Feb 1, 2022
Biden Administration launches state, local coalition to boost building performance standards
Will focus on energy efficiency and electrification across the buildings sector.
Codes and Standards | Jan 26, 2022
Downtown digital twin to aid Las Vegas in setting policy priorities
Will be used to address energy use, emissions, traffic, parking, noise, and emergency management.
Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2022
Modeling tool helps compare options for HVAC systems when little known about a building
Compares projected costs and energy usage for all HVAC systems and hot water consumption.
Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2022
Critics slam proposed revamp of California’s solar net energy metering rate
Could make rooftop solar panels unaffordable for most customers.
Sponsored | Resiliency | Jan 24, 2022
Norshield Products Fortify Critical NYC Infrastructure
New York City has two very large buildings dedicated to answering the 911 calls of its five boroughs. With more than 11 million emergency calls annually, it makes perfect sense. The second of these buildings, the Public Safety Answering Center II (PSAC II) is located on a nine-acre parcel of land in the Bronx. It’s an imposing 450,000 square-foot structure—a 240-foot-wide by 240-foot-tall cube. The gleaming aluminum cube risesthe equivalent of 24 stories from behind a grassy berm, projecting the unlikely impression that it might actually be floating. Like most visually striking structures, the building has drawn as much scorn as it has admiration.
Sponsored | Resiliency | Jan 24, 2022
Blast Hazard Mitigation: Building Openings for Greater Safety and Security