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Green Building

Zero Net Energy

Building Science

Insulation

Zero Net Energy Buildings - Self Study

by Marc Rosenbaum • Last updated 04/2022

4.8/5 (view ratings)

366 students

10 modules

CEUs

15:10 hours

156 assignments

Course description

Developed in partnership with NESEA, EEBA and TEAM ZERO

Master a comprehensive understanding of all of the key components of a zero net energy building—envelope, systems, and renewable energy sources—and how they fit together to confidently create your own designs. During the course, you’ll learn key pitfalls to avoid and get numerical guidelines on sizing peak heat loss, glazing amounts, and solar electric systems.

Marc Rosenbaum, your instructor, is one of the most popular and best-reviewed speakers at NESEA's BuildingEnergy conference every year. He’s an engaging speaker, extremely honest, meticulously detailed, and curious by nature.

"After teaching over 300 participants, I’m convinced self-paced, asynchronous online learning is the way to master and apply new skills and knowledge." —Marc Rosenbaum

You'll need to have Microsoft Excel and some basic excel skills in order to take full advantage of the course and the included Excel calculators and tools. The course includes several tools and calculators developed by Marc over his years designing Zero Net Energy Buildings and are invaluable for professionals in the industry designing and developing ZNEB.

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Continuing Education Units

Approved for: 25 BPI CEUs, 15 PHIUS CPHC CEUs.

Full course outline

Welcome - Orientation Materials

This is a self-study on demand course. This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can get started immediately after you enroll and the course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment.

Marc Rosenbaum - Introduction - Welcome to the Course! (6:28) (06:26 minutes)
Course Format, Components, and Expectations - Please Read!
All Presentation Slides (PDF) (.pdf)
Capstone Project - Optional

Module 1 - What is a Zero Net Energy Building, Energy, Solar Energy

Topics for this week include: Distinctions and definitions, Advances that support widespread implementation. Key components of a ZNEB: Solar orientation, shading, glazing %, Superinsulated building envelope, High R, high SHGC glazing, Airtight construction, Efficient appliances and lighting, Efficient DHW technologies and generation, Heat/energy recovery ventilation, Minisplit heat pumps, ZNE occupants. What is Energy, How Much do Houses Use, Where Does it Go & How Much Energy is in Sunshine? Participants will be able to: - Describe Zero Net Energy distinctions and definitions and advances that support widespread implementation. - Identify key superinsulated enclosure strategies of zero net energy buildings (ZNEB) - Identify major systems and components appropriate to ZNEB - Explain differing forms of energy, how much energy do typical ZNEBs use, and how to use PV Watts to calculate solar energy is incident on a building

Introduction to Zero Net Energy Homes (32:16) (32:16 minutes) Preview
READING: Reading a Compass
RESOURCE: Zero Energy Project
RESOURCE: Zero Energy Buildings - US DOE
RESOURCE: Zero Energy Buildings - New Buildings Institute
Energy (20:49) (20:49 minutes)
READING: NMSEA Energy Primer Sections 1-3
READING: Eliakim's Way First Year Report (.pdf)
RESOURCE: Nine Years of Energy Data from Eliakim's Way (.pdf)
Solar Energy (29:57) (29:57 minutes)
READING: Passive Solar Heating - Whole Building Design Guide
RESOURCE: PVWatts
IMPORTANT READING! Instructions for new PV Watts (.pdf)
RESOURCE: Marc's Solar Calculator (.xlsx) (.xlsx)
WEEK 1 HOMEWORK (.xlsx version) PV Watts (.xlsx)

Module 2 - Methods of Heat Transfer & How They Occur in Buildings, How to Calculate a Building's Heat Loss, Moisture, Vapor Flow, Dewpoint

We'll cover the methods of heat transfer, and learn to calculate the design heat loss of a house. We'll look at moisture transport in buildings, vapor diffusion, dewpoint, and mold. Participants will be able to: - Explain the three principal methods of heat transfer - Calculate the design heat loss of a building - Describe the principal methods of moisture transport in buildings - Describe the relationship between vapor diffusion, dewpoint, and mold

Heat Transfer (19:59) (19:59 minutes)
READING: Methods of Heat Transfer
READING: Thermal Control in Buildings - Straube BSC
Calculating Heat Loss (27:00) (26:32 minutes) Preview
RESOURCE: Marc's Heat Loss Calculator (.xlsx) (.xlsx)
Marc's Room by Room Heat Loss Calculator (.xlsx)
RESOURCE: R Value Library
RESOURCE: Wikipedia R Value
Moisture (37:32) (37:33 minutes)
LECTURE RECORDING: "Understanding and Calculating Building Heat Loss to the Ground" (56:39) (56:42 minutes)
RESOURCE: Heat Loss to the Ground Lecture slides (PDF) (.pdf)
READING: Understanding Drainage Planes BSC
READING: Understanding Vapor Barriers BSC
READING: Residential Water Management Details
RESOURCE: Moisture Control for New Residential Buildings BSC
RESOURCE: Building Materials Properties Table BSC
RESOURCE: Rain Control in Buildings
RESOURCE: Psychrometric Chart
RESOURCE: You Can Do It!
WEEK 2 HOMEWORK (.xlsx) Calculate the Heat Loss of a House (Solution on 2nd page) (.xlsx)

Module 3 - How to Design, Specify & Test the Air Barrier, Thermal Bridges

We'll cover how to design, specify, and test air barriers. We'll look at the concept of thermal bridging and learn how to calculate the true R value of an assembly. Participants will be able to: - Design and specify the air barrier - Specify testing methods for air barriers - Identify and calculate thermal bridging - Calculate the true R value of an assembly

Air Barriers (41:42) (41:42 minutes)
READING: Air Barriers vs. Vapor Barriers
Thermal Bridges (29:57) (29:57 minutes)
READING: A Bridge Too Far BSC
RESOURCE: Marc's Thermal Bridge Calculator (.xlsx) (.xlsx)
Week 3 Homework - Part 1: Labeling Wall Section (.pdf)
Week 3 Homework - Part 1: Wall section diagram (.pdf)
Week 3 Homework Part 1 - One Solution (.pdf)
Week 3 Homework - Part 2: Change in Peak Heat Loss Calculation (.pdf)
Week 3 Homework Part 2 Solution (.xlsx)
Week 3 Homework - Part 3: Use Thermal Bridge Calculator to compare two roof assemblies (.pdf)
Week 3 - Part 3 Solution (.xlsx)

Module 4 - Foundation Construction Strategies, Wall Construction Strategies, Roof Construction Strategies

This week we'll look at construction approaches for superinsulated foundations, walls, and roofs. Participants will be able to: - Prioritize investment in ZNE envelope construction strategies - Detail construction approaches for superinsulated foundations - Detail construction approaches for superinsulated walls - Detail construction approaches for superinsulated roofs

Foundations (29:32) (29:32 minutes)
READING: Understanding Basements BSC
READING: How To Finish Exterior Insulation
RESOURCE: Building Radon Out
Walls (43:25) (43:25 minutes)
UPDATE Week 4 - Embodied Carbon - Please Read (.pdf)
RESOURCE: Global Warming Potential of Insulation
RESOURCE: David White's Insulation GWP Calculator
RESOURCE: Carbon Drawdown Now! Video
RESOURCE: Architecture 2030 Embodied Carbon in Buildings
RESOURCE: Builders for Climate Action Embodied Carbon Calculator
RESOURCE: HeadLok application table (.pdf)
RESOURCE: Lstiburek's Barn case study
RESOURCE: High R Value Walls (updated 10/17) (.pdf)
Roofs (26:14) (26:14 minutes)
READING: Lstiburek's Roof Venting Rules
WEEK 4 Homework: Model a High R Value Wall and Roof (.pdf)
READING: High R Value Roofs (.pdf)
Week 4 Homework - Possible Solution (.xlsx)

Module 5 - Windows and Glazing, Solar Electric Systems, Lights and Appliances

We'll look at the performance of glazings and windows and the types of windows that are available. We'll cover solar electricity systems and how much energy these systems produce. This week rounds out with a look at efficient lighting and appliances. Participants will be able to: - Describe the performance of glazings and windows and the types of windows that are available - Calculate the energy generated by solar electricity systems and the roof area required - Specify efficient lighting - Specify efficient appliances

Windows (46:00) (46:04 minutes)
READING: Panflashing Windows BSC
RESOURCE: Payette Glazing Comfort Tool
RESOURCE: Cardinal Glazing Performance Values
Solar Electricity (28:18) (28:19 minutes)
READING: Solar Electricity Basics FSEC
RESOURCE: PVWatts
Lights and appliances (13:35) (13:35 minutes) Preview
Beyond Zero Net Energy (27:05) (27:05 minutes)
RESOURCE - Beyond Zero Net Energy slides (.pdf)
RESOURCE: Energy Star Most Efficient Appliances
RESOURCE: Electricity usage calculator 1
RESOURCE: Electricity usage calculator 2
RESOURCE: Humans Share the Planet
RESOURCE: Overhang Shading Calculator
Overhang Basics (.pdf)
Week 5 Homework - Part 1
Week 5 - Part 1 Solution (.xlsx) (.xlsx)
Week 5 Homework - Part 2

Module 6 - Heat Recovery Ventilation

This week is all about heat and energy recovery ventilation - the need for ventilation, the basics of system design, what products are available, and the fine points of these systems. Participants will be able to: - Explain the need for heat recovery ventilation - Describe the basics of how heat and energy recovery systems function - Describe the range of heat recovery products are available - Identify potential pitfalls in specifying ventilation systems

Ventilation part 1 (59:03) (59:03 minutes)
Ventilation part 2 (49:54) (49:54 minutes)
UPDATE - Ventilation - Please read (.pdf)
RESOURCE: Fundamentals of Energy Recovery Ventilators Video
RESOURCE - CO2 in Bedrooms Brian Just (.pdf)
READING: Review of Residential Ventilation Technologies
RESOURCE: Home Ventilating Institute Certified Product Directory
RESOURCE: ACCA Speed Spreadsheets
RESOURCE: Panasonic FV-10VEC2 ERV
RESOURCE: Renewaire ERVs
RESOURCE: Zehnder ventilation products
Marc's Zehnder Comfotube Sizing Calculator (.xlsx)
Week 6 Homework: Ventilation System Assignment (.pdf)
Week 6 Homework: Ventilation Diagram (.pdf)
Week 6 Homework - Possible Solution (.pdf)

Module 7 - Heating and Cooling

We'll cover heating and cooling, showing system approaches for heating, cooling and ventilation together. We'll look at the equipment available for low load homes, focusing on minisplit heat pumps. Participants will be able to: - Describe preferred system approaches for heating and cooling - Describe how ventilation system design affects heating and cooling - Specify heating and cooling equipment available for low load homes - Select the appropriate type of air source heat pumps

Fuels and Equipment (19:15) (19:15 minutes)
Cooling (24:42) (24:42 minutes)
System Approaches and Minisplits (25:23) (25:23 minutes)
The Ins and Outs of Selecting Cold Climate Minisplit Heat Pumps (34:24) (34:24 minutes)
RESOURCE - Selecting Cold Climate Heat Pump slides (.pdf)
UPDATE - Heat Pumps - Please Read (.pdf)
IMPORTANT RESOURCE - Cold Climate Heat Pump Specification
RESOURCE: Passive and Low Energy Cooling (.pdf)
RESOURCE: Mitsubishi Multi-port Hyperheat (.pdf)
RESOURCE: Mitsubishi Single Zone Hyperheat SUZ Series Tech Manual (.pdf)
RESOURCE: Fujitsu Halycon Brochure (.pdf)
RESOURCE Fujitsu Wall Cassette Tech Manual (.pdf)
RESOURCE Fujitsu Single Zone Ducted Tech Manual (.pdf)
Week 7 Homework
Week 7 Homework - Possible Solution (.xlsx)

Module 8 - DHW and Solar Thermal

This week is all about domestic hot water (DHW) - how to calculate loads, how to minimize DHW energy, and equipment available to make DHW efficiently, including a look at heat pump water heaters and solar thermal hot water. Participants will be able to: - Calculate domestic hot water (DHW) loads - Identify strategies that minimize DHW energy - Specify equipment available to make DHW efficiently - Explain pros and cons of heat pump water heaters and solar thermal hot water

DHW (39:41) (39:41 minutes)
READING: Gary Klein DHW distribution
Heat Pump Water Heaters Video
RESOURCE: Marc's DHW Calculator (.xlsx)
RESOURCE: Drainwater heat recovery
Solar Thermal (34:15) (34:15 minutes)
READING: Solar Hot Water FSEC
RESOURCE: Convert Your Home to Solar Energy - Everett Barber
RESOURCE: Solar collector ratings SRCC
RESOURCE: Build It Solar
Week 8 Homework DHW / HPWH / PV Calculation (.pdf)
Week 8 Homework Solution (.xlsx)

Module 9 - Degree Days and Energy Modeling

We'll cover the concept of heating degree days and how to calculate them, then dive into combining what we've learned into an annual energy use model for the house, and sizing the solar electric system to achieve zero net energy. Participants will be able to: - Understand heating degree days conceptually - Calculate heating degree days for a project location - Develop an annual energy use model for the building - Size the solar electric system to achieve zero net energy

Degree Days (10:00) (10:00 minutes)
RESOURCE: Degree Days.net
Energy Modeling (22:06) (22:06 minutes)
RESOURCE - Understanding the Energy Modeling Process (.pdf)
RESOURCE: Marc's Energy Model (.xlsx) (.xlsx)
Week 9 Homework: Annual Energy Model for Boston, MA (.pdf)
Week 9 Homework Solution (.xlsx)

Module 10 - Bringing it All Together With Case Studies and Resources

In this week we will review several case studies to see successful ZNE projects as well review other resources for your own projects. Participants will be able to: - Evaluate the potential of a project to achieve zero net energy - Design a schematic ZNEB project - Study case studies of successful ZNE projects completed in the real world - Locate further resources to improve practice moving forward

Optional Final Capstone Project
CASE STUDY - Rosenbaum ZNE DER (21:34 minutes)
Rosenbaum ZNE DER slides (.pdf)
CASE STUDY - KERN CENTER Living Building Challenge (.pdf)
CASE STUDY - Plainfield School Deep Energy Retrofit (54:09 minutes)
Plainfield School Slides (.pdf)
CASE STUDY: Pill Maharam House
CASE STUDY: Bindley House (.pdf)
CASE STUDY: Clarke house (.pdf)
CASE STUDY: Moomaw House (.pdf)
CASE STUDY: Livermore House (.pdf)
CASE STUDY: Ross House (.pdf)
RESOURCE: Rosenbaum House 5 (.pdf)

Conclusion - Feedback and Additional Resources

This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!

AIA CEUs: Submit request form (within 5 days of certificate)
1 Year of Access to Course Materials
Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate

Author

Marc Rosenbaum

Principal, Energysmiths

Marc Rosenbaum, P.E. uses an integrated systems design approach to help people create buildings and communities which connect us to the natural world, and support both personal and planetary health. He brings this vision, experience and commitment to a collaborative design process, with the goal of profoundly understanding the interconnections between people, place, and... Learn more

Ratings

4.8

45 reviews

366 students have taken this course

by Samuel Manning 11/12/2022

I enjoyed that I was able to explore building science concepts and net-zero applications at my own pace. The course covered a wide variety of subjects and provided a depth of knowledge building resources to hone in on each subject.

by Mason Browne 05/24/2021

Excellent way to learn about designing zero net-energy buildings and how to avoid construction mistakes.

by Kate Stevens, Contexts: architecture, teaching, translating 05/21/2021

Great course that teaches you how to see both the forest and the trees. It equips you with an understanding of the general building science principles and the ability to locate/interpret/use specific technical resources for real world application.

by Michael Klement, Architectural Resource, LLC 02/01/2021

This course should be a part of the core curriculum for every architectural college in America. This is foundational information that every architect should have. Marc does a masterful job of bringing together, in one well designed course, a broad spectrum of knowledge, experience and wisdom, with a dash of Marc's wit and humor. For what we are up to at Architectural Resource, this course was spot on. Thank you for your contribution to our industry, Marc. Bravo!

by Jill Brigham, Engineer 12/26/2020

Zero Net Energy Buildings presents a thorough look at practical ways we can all use to make homes use less energy. This course brings together building science and modern energy efficient building systems in a step-by-step manner that will be enlightening to anyone from homeowner, architect, and home builder. Great class - highly recommended!

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$395

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Frequently asked questions

How does this course work?

You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This 10 module course is delivered entirely online. This is a self-study, self-paced course and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. You can begin the lecture videos and other course materials as soon as you enroll. After successfully completing the course, you will be able to generate a certificate of completion.

How long do I have access to the materials?

Students get unlimited access to the course materials as soon as they enroll and for one year (365 days) after enrollment. Rewatch videos and review assignments as many times as you want. View updates the instructor makes to the course as the industry advances. Return to your course anytime with online access from anywhere in the world. After the one year of access expires, access can be extended by joining as a HeatSpring member. A single membership extends access to course materials for all past enrollments.

Is there a certificate of completion?

Yes, when you complete this course you are eligible for a certificate of completion from HeatSpring. You can download your certificate as soon as you have completed all of the course requirements. Students can easily share their verified certificates on their LinkedIn profiles using our LinkedIn integration.

Can I register multiple people?

Yes please visit our HeatSpring for Teams page to get a group discount.

Course description

Preview the course material

Continuing Education Units

Full course outline

Author

Marc Rosenbaum

Principal, Energysmiths

Ratings

$395

Rolling Admissions

Enroll and Start Instantly

Frequently asked questions

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