Energy Efficiency Lab Home
January 2012
Simplified Space Conditioning Systems for Energy Efficient Houses, Part 1
Energy Design Update
In the spring of 2011, IBACOS and a group of experts from several other teams within the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Building America program gathered to discuss the state of a specific area of space conditioning research: the use of simplified space conditioning systems in low-load, energy-efficient homes, specifically the relationships among advanced thermal enclosures, space conditioning systems, and occupant comfort.
October 2011
Seeing the Light with Building Science
High Performance Lighting is a Value Differentiator
Lighting is sometimes an afterthought in new home building, left until the trim-out phase. But emerging technology is forcing builders to look at lighting as a system, just like the HVAC system. In turn, these developments are opening up opportunities for builders to differentiate the homes they offer through high-efficiency lighting systems.
October 2011
Working Toward Net-zero Production Home Building
Volume 8, Number 3 of Geo Outlook covered the ground source heat pump system in the Energy Efficiency Lab Home, including both the deep well and the experimental sub-slab loop system.
August 2011
10 Lessons Learned from Building a Zero Energy Home
Professional Builder/Housingzone.com
The article, by Lab Home Project Manager Kevin Brozyna, covers the top 10 lessons learned from building the Lab Home, and how they can help other high performance homebuilders.
Lab Home Explores Ways for Production Builders to Offer Affordable, Energy-efficient Houses
In his regular Building Science column on AVIDBuilder, Michael Dickens covers some of the important systems included in the Alliance Energy Efficiency Lab Home, and how they can help builders achieve high performance and net zero homes now.
August 2011
PV Panel System: The Last Piece of the Lab Home Formula
Energy Design Update
The Energy Design Update series on the Lab Home culminates in Part VI, "PV Panel System: The Last Piece of the Lab Home Formula," by IBACOS partner and Chief Technology Officer Bradley Oberg. This final installment examines the importance of solar panel technology in the context of high performance homebuilding, looks at the advantages of the grid-tied, microinverter panels used on the Lab Home and assesses the obstacles that still remain in the use of PV on a production homebuilding level.
July 2011
Balancing Aesthetics, Tradition and Performance
Energy Design Update
The Energy Design Update series on the Lab Home continues. Part V, by Lab Home Project Manager Kevin Brozyna, is titled "Balancing Aesthetics, Tradition and Performance" and covers choices made during the design and construction of the Lab Home that reflected some of the aesthetic and practical considerations of the site and community. August's article will be the last of the series and will be on the Lab Home's PV panel system.
June 2011
The Energy Efficiency Lab Home: Examining Lighting Systems
Energy Design Update
The Energy Design Update series on the Lab Home continues. Part IV, by IBACOS Partner and CTO Bradley W. Oberg, covers the Lab Home's high performance lighting system and cutting-edge innovations in lighting fixtures and controls. July's article deals with the balance between aesthetics, tradition and performance in the Lab Home's design and execution.
May 2011
Alliance Lab Home Featured in EcoHome Online
In "IBACOS-Led Lab Home Tests Approaches for Market-Rate Net-Zero Production Housing," EcoHome deputy editor Katy Tomasulo gives an overview of the Energy Efficiency Lab Home, with a focus on the different systems included in the house and the testing that will continue for the next three years.
May 2011
The Energy Efficiency Lab Home: Enclosure and Energy Efficiency
Energy Design Update
The Energy Design Update series on the Lab Home continues. Part III, by Lab Home Project Manager Kevin Brozyna, covers the Lab Home's superinsulated enclosure. The previous article was on the Lab Home's HVAC system. Following articles contributed by IBACOS systems experts will detail the lighting, hot water, and solar PV systems in the Lab Home.
April 2011
Energy Efficiency Lab Home: Delivering and Measuring Comfort
Energy Design Update
The Energy Design Update series on the Lab Home continues. In Part II, the HVAC system and the testing and monitoring being done on the Home is covered. The previous article was an overview of the Home; following articles contributed by IBACOS systems experts will detail the hot water, solar PV and lighting systems in the Lab Home.
April 2011
Contractor Magazine Covers Alliance Lab Home
In "Near-zero Lab Home Paves Way to Eradicating Energy Bills," April's issue of Contractor magazine gives an overview of the Energy Efficiency Lab Home, stressing the potential for high performance homes like it to reduce or eliminate homebuyers' energy bills.
April 2011
Lab Home Featured in Building Women Magazine
Building Women
The Energy Efficiency Lab Home was featured in the Spring issue of Building Women magazine in an article written by S&A's Ashleigh Shetler.
March 2011
Lab Home Featured in Energy Design Update
First in Series of Articles
Energy Design Update
In Part I of this series, a general overview of the Lab Home will be provided. Following articles contributed by IBACOS systems experts will detail specific functions and research results from the Home.
November 2010
Lab Home 'Sneak Peek' Draws Attention
Last Tuesday, builders from around the country braved the windy, wet weather for a sneak peek at the nation’s first net-zero energy home. Located in Ohio Township, the home, built by S&A Homes, boasts some of today’s newest home technologies and will serve as an ongoing research project for IBACOS, the Pittsburgh-based think tank that is dedicated to helping homebuilders develop quality, high-performance homes.
April 2010
Nation's First "Zero Energy" Lab Home
Imagine, if you can, not getting a gas bill in the winter that reaches triple figures. Imagine a summer without sky-high electric bills. Imagine if your home actually generated as much energy as it consumed. Both challenges will be taken on by IBACOS and its Best Practices Research Alliance, who are constructing a lab home in Ohio Township's Cobblestone Estates.
March 2010
City company foresees homes with no annual power costs
In March 2010, IBACOS, S&A Homes and The Meritage Group hosted a groundbreaking event for the launch of the Alliance's Energy Efficiency Lab Home, pursuing zero energy, in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh in the Cobblestone Estates community of Ohio Township. Speakers provided an overview of this research effort and specific goals for the Pittsburgh house.
April 2010
Best Practices Research Alliance® Launches Net Zero Energy Lab Home Program in Pittsburgh
Builders Association of Central Pennsylvania Newsletter
The Alliance's Energy Efficiency Lab Home and S&A Homes were recently featured in the BACP newsletter. S&A Homes is a prominent member of that organization.
