Session two will dig deeper into two solutions – both fresher paths forward than the expensive model of centralized-systems solutions. First is a look into cities such as Atlanta, where the cost of water and wastewater have soared but the system and the treatment technologies are working. Second is the promising practice of source-separating urine for fertilizer production—a pilot in Falmouth, MA is demonstrating cost-effective alternative to building a new treatment plant.

This session is in two parts.Water is scarcer. Systems for both fresh and waste water are vulnerable. Water standards are increasingly stringent to protect ecosystems and public health. Since water and energy are so inextricably intertwined, the term, “water grid" provides a unique frame for exploring how to operate a more closed-loop system of water production and use. As architects, engineers, builders and municipal planners, what will we have to rethink and re-do about processing fresh and waste water in developing the next generation of the built environment?

Low-load homes struggle with summertime humidity more than conventional homes, and the Northeast isn’t getting any less tropical.  Let’s get ready.  We will consider how latent and sensible loads differ for low-load homes, how to calculate required equipment performance, and what our equipment options are.  After reviewing the basics of the psychrometric chart, we’ll use it as our playbook, loading it with zippy-looking graphics galore.  We will also present monitoring from recently built low-load homes.

This session will feature a cross-section of promising ZNE-supportive products and technologies that have been included in recent ZNE projects, both residential and non-residential. The dialogue will be focused on the role of technologies in advancing the state of the art of ZNE building design. How essential are the technologies? How far can we go with off- the-shelf technologies? How much farther will emerging technologies enable us to go?

The use of utility bills to benchmark building performance is a critical first step in any approach to energy conservation. However, utility bills can only tell you so much about how to improve building performance. Five multifamily buildings received circuit level electricity, temperature, and CO2 monitoring equipment. The data identified inefficient mechanical designs, incorrect installations, poor maintenance and individual apartments with high energy use. We will review what we measured and what we learned, including energy savings as a result of this monitoring strategy.

Central ventilation systems in multifamily buildings are a vital building system that often compromises overall building performance (ie they don’t perform to code almost 100% of the time). Correcting ventilation problems can produce significant energy savings in multifamily buildings while also improving occupant comfort and health. Central ventilation system restoration is an emerging energy retrofit that has had its bumps along the way.