, focused on operational carbon emissions. The long-anticipated definition includes three key criteria: energy efficiency, no on-site emissions, and all-clean power sources. Buildings following the definition will improve peoples’by eschewing harmful materials and practices. DOE has indicated that future iterations will aim to address embodied carbon as well.
How close are federal home efficiency certifications to the national zero emissions building definition?To satisfy the zero on-site emissions criterion, buildings must have all-electric appliances and equipment, like induction stoves for cooking and heat pumps for space and water heating, cooling, and clothes drying.
Efficiency is the toughest criterion for existing buildings. Reducing air leakage and heat loss to at-code levels is often cost prohibitive. Because of this, the definition allows retrofits to meet the efficiency criterion by hitting an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or a site energy use intensity target. Both targets will ensure compliant buildings are among the most efficient buildings of their kind today., about one in three homes can reach zero-carbon-alignment with only an equipment swap-out.
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