Abstract

Many high volume builders are increasing their interest in sustainability to improve their bottom line, however reaching toward the next level of net zero energy housing has been viewed as cost prohibitive and the methods by which to achieve such goals are generally unknown. 3rd party benchmarks have been established in recent years to aid in achieving energy efficient housing, including the Energy Star® (Energy Star) Program, National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS), United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes, and Passive House Planning Package (PHPP). These rating systems consider energy-efficiency performance in varying degrees, ranging from quantitative prescriptive rating strategies to qualitative rating strategies by performance. The capabilities and culpabilities of each rating system can be difficult to determine for architects and builders alike. However, with the quantity of new homes projected by planners to be built in the next 50 years, more must be demanded of these rating systems to achieve net zero energy performance goals. This paper summarizes the results of a comparative study about the following benchmark rating systems, for their capacity to achieve net zero energy housing: Energy Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star Qualified Homes, USGBC LEED for Homes 2008, ICC 700–2008 NGBS, and PHPP 2007–2010.