Blog

Understanding Zero-Energy Buildings

10/31/2014

Zero-energy buildings (ZEB) have zero net energy consumption. This means that the buildings consume the same amount of energy (or less) that is created on site. In order to accomplish this, they are built with decreased energy demands and use renewable energy sources to generate power and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Zero-energy buildings are also referred to as zero net energy (ZNE) buildings, net-zero energy buildings (NZEB), or net zero buildings. Many zero-energy buildings still use conventional grid power at certain times

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What is Controlled Ventilation?

10/29/2014

Modern construction methods for low-energy and passive houses are characterized by high thermal insulation and minimized thermal bridges. The resulting tightness of the building envelope requires a regular active air exchange for the well-being of the occupants and for the protection of the building structure. Ventilation systems with heat recovery provide the adequate air exchange for both, the occupants and the building structure at any time of day. Pollutants, odors, and excessive moisture are discharged and the supplied fresh air is filtered

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Effects of Poor Moisture Control

10/25/2014

Controlling the amount of moisture in the air within buildings is an important consideration when building a new home. If moisture levels are too high, it may cause damage to the building structure over time and can allow mold and mildew to grow. These allergens, as well as the poorly controlled moisture levels in general, can have an impact on the health of the building residents and occupants. Moisture levels that are too low can also have detrimental effects on

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The Benefits of Living in a High-Performance Home: Year in Review

10/25/2014

In a leap of faith, my family joined Belfast Cohousing & Ecovillage in Midcoast Maine, a 36-unit multigenerational community on 42 acres. My husband and I loaded all our possessions into a truck and uprooted our two young children as we moved from Wisconsin to a quaint coastal community. Upon our arrival a year ago, we were greeted by friendly neighbors who helped us unload and unpack. Our children began exploring the property, and we all began building friendships within our community.

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HRV vs ERV: Which One Should I Choose?

10/24/2014

We are often asked, “Should I use an HRV or an ERV?” Building professionals sometimes assume that the use of an HRV versus an ERV can be determined by geography, but it’s often not that simple. Much of the country use an HRV and one could generalize that ERVs are better for humid climates, but what about those climates that are both dry and humid during the year? For New England, often building professionals use an HRV, but one could realistically use an ERV

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Zehnder Interview Series: Matt Groves, Technical Sales Engineer

10/22/2014

Interviewer: Could you introduce yourself, Matt? Matt Groves: My name is Matt Groves. I’m the Northwest Technical Sales Engineer for Zehnder America. My territory covers Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Western Canada along with Alaska. Interviewer: So what do you like most about working with this type of product? HRVs? Matt Groves: They’re a newer product for a lot of homes and it’s great to be able to educate and help people make the best choice for a healthy and comfortable home. We design and

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Passive House at a Glance

10/17/2014

Over the last two decades, the Passive House standard has grown rapidly in popularity across an increasing range of climates across the world. According to 2013 estimates, over 50,000 buildings are now certified with thousands more low energy developments inspired by the model. What is Passive House? Passive House is a construction concept. It stands for a building standard that is energy-efficient, comfortable and affordable. It provides paramount thermal comfort with very low heating demand. The precise definition, as given by the Passive House Institute

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5 Ways to Boost Indoor Air Quality in High-Performance Homes

10/3/2014

Although it may seem counterintuitive, indoor air is typically two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. As energy-efficient homes become tighter and tighter with less air infiltration, indoor air quality deteriorates without proper ventilation and mindfulness. With numerous sources of indoor air pollution found within the home, it is important to minimize them while boosting healthy practices. Thankfully, there are many simple actions you can do for cleaner air. 1. Use Natural Fragrances Although you may associate pine, lemon, or

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What is Sick Building Syndrome?

9/30/2014

Sick building syndrome refers to adverse health and comfort symptoms that seem to be linked to the individual’s time spent inside a certain building. The symptoms may occur when the person occupies one particular room or location within the building or may be present whenever the person occupies any area of the building. In many cases, more than one person who regularly visits the building begins to show symptoms categorized as sick building syndrome. In most cases, the symptoms subside after

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Absolute vs. Relative Humidity – What’s the Difference?

9/25/2014

Absolute humidity is the measure of water vapor (moisture) in the air, regardless of temperature. It is expressed as grams of moisture per cubic meter of air (g/m3). The maximum absolute humidity of warm air at 30°C/86°F is approximately 30g of water vapor – 30g/m3. The maximum absolute humidity of cold air at 0°C/32°F is approximately 5g of water vapor – 5g/m3. Relative humidity also measures water vapor but RELATIVE to the temperature of the air. It is expressed as the amount of water vapor in

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