A two-year research project into the construction cost implications and consumer interest of Zero Energy Homes (ZEH) in Australia has been published.

Mainstreaming Zero Net Energy Housing was led by Dr Josh Byrne in collaboration with Curtin University, the Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living and CSIRO involving four-volume builders in different states.

The project has followed four land developers and builders in four different states, with each of them embarking on the design and construction of a zero energy display home in their respective residential developments. The project results have been documented in two recently published CRC LCL report and captured in a four-part video series produced by VAM Media.

Some key findings from this project include:

• Major energy efficiency gains were obtained mainly from additional insulation, glazing upgrades and energy efficient appliances
• Only relatively small PV systems (3-4kW) is required to cover the net needs of a typical Australian household, provided that the building envelope is designed appropriately for the climate and appliances are energy efficient
• Solar PV and Heat Pump or Evacuated Tube hot water systems are the two most cost effective upgrades across all case studies, with both technologies showing payback within 10 years at current energy prices
• the net present value of Net Zero Energy Homes upgrades is positive under energy price increase scenarios.

In the final episode of the four-part video series, Josh interviews our very own Suzanne Toumbourou to discuss the opportunities for progressing NZEH performance requirements via a national regulatory approach.

More information here