At ReVision Energy, we often work closely with builders, architects, and construction firms that are deeply involved in the worlds of building science, energy efficiencies, and sustainable housing. One of our partners is Auburndale Builders. Based out of Newton, Massachusetts, Auburndale has been in the energy efficient home construction and renovation industry since 2011.
In 2023 ReVision worked with Auburndale to install a 32-kilowatt solar array and battery backup system on a high-performance home in Weston, MA, which went on to win BRAGB’s Gold Award for Best High Performance/ Energy Efficient Home. ReVision’s Solar Design Specialist Jen Stevenson Zepeda sat down with Auburndale’s owner and general manager Nick Falkoff to talk about this work.
Jen Stevenson Zepeda: This was a great year for Auburndale Builders. Congratulations on the BRAGB Gold Award for the Weston house! Could you tell us a little bit about this project?
Nick Falkoff: The clients decided on a Net Zero home in Weston; we were thrilled to work with them on creating this beautiful, efficient home with their architect. Apart from a natural gas fireplace, no fossil fuels are used at the home. All appliances and systems for this 8,000 sq ft home are powered by electricity and the home has a battery backup system for power outages. The grid-tied rooftop solar array generates enough power to power the home and electric vehicles. It was built to meet PassiveHouse standards.
Jen: How would you explain Net Zero Energy or Passive House buildings to your grandmother?
Nick: I think most people – grandmothers included – understand the idea of balancing inputs and outputs. By definition, a net-zero building puts as much electricity back into the grid as it draws from the grid. There are lots of other inputs to consider as part of that equation, but that’s the general idea. A passive house uses solar orientation, super insulation, airtight construction, high performance windows, door and mechanical systems to reduce the heating and cooling energy loads by as much as 80% compared with a code-built home. If you stop there, you still are way ahead in terms of energy efficiency. However, once you have reduced your loads, you can meet the remaining 20% with solar electricity generation to get to a net-zero home.
Jen: Tell us a little about the state of Net Zero Energy buildings. Why is it important that we build these? What are some of the benefits? What are some of the challenges?
Nick: Net Zero Energy buildings are becoming more familiar to people as larger multi-family and municipal buildings are being built to meet Massachusetts’ progressive energy codes. These codes are part of a larger state decarbonization effort. As part of our work, we are seeing more questions about Net Zero retrofits, thanks to programs such as MassSave that incentivize the installation of insulation and energy efficient heat pumps in homes. I think climate resilience is one reason among many to build these types of homes, but the incremental additional cost to homeowners and the lack of education about Net Zero building among residential construction tradespeople are challenges that we are working to overcome.
Jen: What are some of the factors you are hearing that motivate folks to go this route?
Nick: For a number of people, the energy efficiency, health, and comfort that Net Zero homes provide are motivating factors. The increased cost of building a Net Zero home is offset over time by the savings in energy spending, which is appealing. Plus, these homes are more resilient during extreme weather events, like a cold snap or power outages and can be backed up with battery systems. Eventually the V2L Vehicle-to-Load-Technology that is built into many electric vehicles will allow the cars to power the homes during outages and separate house batteries will not be needed for backup power.
Jen: How do you think about solar energy as part of the question of getting to zero?
Nick: Solar is a key component to getting to zero, as it’s the mini-power plant on the roof that transforms the sun’s energy into usable electricity. We can have a great building envelope that doesn’t require a lot of energy to heat and cool, but you’d still be reliant on the grid without solar to provide that offset.
Jen: Any last thoughts?
Nick: Thanks for your time and thoughtful questions. We’d love to talk more to anyone interested in Net Zero building. We work closely with the ReVision team to right-size the PV and battery back-up systems on our projects and value your expertise in these fields.
If you are in need of Auburndale’s handy work and expertise, please contact them here. And if you are curious about adding solar to your home or business, you can email ReVision Energy at hello@revisionenergy.com!