Using renewable energy from the sun, an energy-efficient building design, and high efficiency equipment, the Zero Energy House developed by the NAHB Research Center and John Wesley Miller Companies is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes - resulting in a net zero energy bill over a year. Just like a typical U.S. home, the Zero Energy Home is connected to the utility grid. However, at some times, the Zero Energy Home will be supplying energy to the utility grid.
The all electric Zero Energy Home was designed by architect Devereaux and Associates and built by John Wesley Miller Companies in the Armory Park del Sol development in downtown Tucson. The company's standard construction methods in the development exceed the Model Energy Code by 50 percent.
The Zero Energy Home features all the comforts of a typical new home. However, instead of consuming the nearly 10 kilowatt-hours per square foot per year that a typical all-electric new home in Tucson consumes, it is expected to consume no more energy than is produced by the solar energy systems, or about 4 kWh per square foot per year.
The Zero Energy Home was introduced to the public in a Grand Opening Ceremony on Earth Day, April 22, 2003. It sold less than a month later to a couple from Tucson. The energy performance of the home will be monitored for one year by the NAHB Research Center. A summary report
of the project is available.
News Brief
These news stories on the Tucson ZEH and community provide a brief insight into the ZEH concept for one builder and homeowner.
John Wesley Miller interview on KUAT-TV
4 minutes, 3.8 MB, Windows Media Player required
"Zero-Energy Homes Becoming More Popular" on ABC World News Tonight
3 minutes, 15 MB, Windows Media Player required
Monitoring Results
Review performance results of the Tucson Zero Energy Home.
Promotional Materials
What's Next for the Tucson Development?
The next ZEH at Armory Park del Sol is in the planning stage. For a brief review of where we have been and where we are going, see the progress report.
Construction Features of the Tucson ZEH
Solid masonry construction which takes advantage of thermal mass to buffer daily temperature swings in the desert climate |
R-14 polystyrene exterior wall insulation |
High efficiency Milgard windows |
TechShield Radiant Barrier Roof decking |
Lighting package with Osram Sylvania fluorescent lamps and Nora Lighting fluorescent fixtures |
Energy efficient ceiling fans by Emerson |
 
High efficiency Whirlpool appliances, including a Duet washer and dryer |
Decorative fluorescent lighting fixtures and lighting design by Sun Lighting |
An innovative, integrated solar water and space heating system. Solar collectors from SunEarth Inc., provide space and water heating, with backup heat provided by Seisco tankless water heaters. |
Air admittance plumbing vents by Studor |
A 4-kW BP Solar photovoltaic array distributed by Conergy (formerly Dankoff Solar) and installed by The Solar Store. |
Inverters and monitoring equipment are located in the garage
|
 
A high-efficiency Carrier air conditioning system with variable speed air handler and Puron® refrigerant |
ALSO FEATURING:
Reflective roof coating to reduce attic heat gain
R-38 ceiling insulation
PEX plumbing system for hot water supply. Manifold provided by Sioux Chief Manufacturing.
Panasonic high efficiency bath fans.
Kohler bath and kitchen fixtures.
The DC-power produced by the solar panels is converved to AC power for use in the home by two, 2500-Watt inverters provided by SMA America.
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Finishing Touches
View of the entrance from the great room |
View of the office |
View of bedroom |
View from the kitchen |
View of the great room |
Great room windows |
View of great room
from the hall |
Solar-powered
water fountain |