Net Zero Energy Homes Research Articles

Cost Benefits of Net Zero Energy Homes in Australia

This paper presents a systematic analysis of energy savings and cost benefits associated with several options for integrating energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. The primary goal of this study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of achieving optimal net-zero energy (NZE) designs for residential buildings in Australia. Specifically, the analysis combines a series of sensitivity analyses and multi-objective optimizations to account for a wide range of design strategies for detached homes in four cities representing different Australian climates. The results indicate that not only are NZE designs technically feasible for all the considered Australian cities, but they are also highly cost-effective. This cost-effectiveness is attributed to the lower installation costs of rooftop PV systems as well as the beneficial interactive effects of proven energy efficiency strategies. Indeed, it is found that the deployment costs of rooftop PV systems can be recovered in less than 4 years. Moreover, the addition of thermal insulation in walls and ceilings can reduce both HVAC capacities and annual energy end-use by up to 59%. Based on an optimization-based design, NZE homes in Australia can have lower construction costs and, ultimately, lower life cycle costs than dwellings built to meet current energy efficiency standards based primarily on stringent building envelope thermal performance.

A GIS-Based Top-Down Approach to Support Energy Retrofitting for Smart Urban Neighborhoods

Energy and environmental challenges are a major concern across the world and the urban residential building sector, being one of the main stakeholders in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, needs to be more energy efficient and reduce carbon emissions. While it is easier to design net zero energy homes, existing home stocks are a major challenge for energy retrofitting. Two key challenges are determining the extent of retrofitting required, and developing knowledge-based effective policies that can be applied en-masse to housing stocks and neighborhoods. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to gather critical data about qualities of existing buildings including their age, geo-location, construction type, as well as electro-mechanical and occupancy parameters of each dwelling. The objective of this study was to develop a GIS-based model embedded with critical data of residential buildings to facilitate evidence-based retrofit programs for urban neighborhoods. A model based on a bottom-up approach was proposed in which information gathered from all stakeholders was inputted into one database that can be used for decision-making. A geo-located case study to validate a proposed GIS-based residential retrofitting model sample size of 74 residential buildings in the city of Riyadh was statistically analyzed and used. The results indicate behavior-based patterns, with a strong positive correlation (r = 0.606) between the number of occupants and number of household appliances, while regression analysis showed high occupancy rates do not necessarily result in high utility costs at the end of the month, and there is no statistical difference in the average monthly cost of gas between partial and fully occupied houses. Furthermore, neither the type of building, height, age, nor occupancy status play a significant role in the average energy consumed. Additionally, the GIS-based model was validated and found to be effective for energy-use mapping and gathering critical data for analyzing energy consumption patterns at neighborhood scale, making it useful for municipalities to develop effective policies aimed at energy efficient and smart neighborhoods, based on a recommended list of most effective energy-saving retrofit measures.

Evaluation of Multi-Functional Variable Refrigerant Flow System With Thermal Energy Storage and Photovoltaic-Based Distributed System for Net-Zero Energy Home Design

Abstract Efficient heating and cooling systems and renewable energy sources are crucial for effectively designing net-zero energy homes (NZEHs). The study proposes using a multi-functional variable refrigerant flow system with hydraulic heat recovery (MFVRF-H2R) to reduce heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) and hot water energy usage, offering a practical approach to enable NZEH solutions. Photovoltaic (PV)-based on-site power generation is utilized to achieve zero energy performance in residential buildings. A building energy simulation study is conducted to assess the effectiveness of the combined systems in various climate conditions. To develop the simulation model, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)’s net-zero energy residential test facility is used as the benchmark for NZEH baseline models. The MFVRF-H2R system is incorporated into the NZEH baseline to propose a more-energy-efficient design with heat recovery technology. eQUEST and post-processing calculations are used to simulate NZEH performance, comparing whole-building energy end-use and PV capacity for the baseline and alternative models with MFVRF-H2R. Results demonstrate that the proposed variable refrigerant flow (VRF)-based NZEH design can provide potential energy savings of up to 32% for cooling energy under various climate zones. Moreover, the NZEH design with the proposed MFVRF-H2R can achieve up to a 90% reduction in domestic hot water usage compared to an NZEH design without VRF heat recovery technology. The study suggests that the MFVRF-H2R system can provide practical and realistic solutions for making HVAC energy-efficient by minimizing thermal waste and reusing it for other thermal parts of the building, such as hot water applications. Consequently, this study highlights the effectiveness of the MFVRF-H2R system in designing NZEHs while considering heat recovery and renewable energy technologies.

The transition to net zero energy (NZE) housing: An integrated approach to market, state, and other barriers

To limit global warming, transitions in all sectors of activity to achieve major reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are imperative. Highly efficient net zero energy (NZE) homes that produce their own electricity from renewable sources are proposed as a solution to reduce energy use and GHG emissions from the residential sector. While the technological and economic feasibility of NZE building in cold climates has been demonstrated, its uptake in Canada has yet to take off. This study analyzes the structural barriers to the adoption of NZE building in lower-income and rural jurisdictions within a developed country. Based on a mixed-methods approach using a quantitative survey and semi-structured interviews, we develop an integrated model that suggests that while market barriers like cost and demand for NZE homes are the most significant, market changes alone cannot guarantee the wide-spread adoption of NZE building. Findings emphasize the key role of the state to instigate energy transition in the building sector, to ensure that NZE building rapidly delivers the necessary emissions reductions, and that the benefits of NZE homes are fairly distributed among all groups.

Obstacles to Developing Net-Zero Energy (NZE) Homes in Greater Toronto Area

Efforts have been put in place to minimize the effects of construction activities and occupancy, but the problem of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continues to have detrimental effects on the environment. As an effort to reduce GHG emissions, particularly carbon emissions, countable commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential net-zero energy (NZE) buildings were built around the globe during the past few years, and they are still operating. But there exist many challenges and barriers for the construction of NZE buildings. This study identifies the obstacles to developing NZE buildings, with a focus on single-family homes, in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The study sought to identify the technical, organizational, and social challenges of constructing NZE buildings, realize the importance of the public awareness in making NZE homes, and provide recommendations on how to raise public knowledge. A qualitative approach was employed to collect the primary data through survey and interviews. The secondary data obtained from the literature review were also used to realize the benefits, challenges, and current situation of NZE buildings. Research results indicate that the construction of NZE buildings is faced with a myriad of challenges, including technical issues, the lack of governmental and institutional supports, and the lack of standardized measures. The public awareness of NZE homes has been found to be very low, thus limiting the uptake and adoption of the new technologies used in this type of homes. The present study also recommends that the government and the academic institutions should strive to support the NZE building technology through curriculum changes, technological uptake, and financial incentives to buyers and developers. The implementation of these recommendations may enhance the success and popularity of NZE homes in the GTA.

Pairing geothermal technology and solar photovoltaics for net-zero energy homes

Homeowners across the globe are continually seeking methods of improving energy efficiency for financial benefit and personal satisfaction. From small contributions such as swapping light bulbs to large capital investment initiatives like upgraded heating and cooling systems, homeowner decisions require accurate data and confidence in potential outcomes. This study models the path to net-zero energy for two separate heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) plus solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in residential buildings across 12 Unites States climate zones, and determines the optimal combination for each climate zone. An existing, traditional air-conditioning system with natural gas furnace is paired with a PV array. The net-zero results are compared to the same residence upgraded to a climate-customized geothermal heat pump HVAC system paired with a PV array. Results confidently favor the geothermal HVAC system + PV for climates with a significant heating demand in winter, and the baseline + PV system for cooling-dominant climates, exceeding $3,900 and $3,500 annual household savings, respectively. A major contribution is the introduction of a template that predicts the net-zero system option for climate zones outside the 12 studied. Patterns in local soil properties, sun intensity and financial incentives allow for net-zero system predictions nationwide. For example, all locations resulting in a baseline + PV net-zero system have strong sun intensity ratings. This research delivers climate-specific recommendations for the preferred net-zero HVAC + PV system through analysis of accurate energy performance and financial forecasting. Recommendations provide homeowners with valuable expectations on two HVAC + PV options along the path to a net-zero energy home.

Transitioning From Net-Zero Energy Homes to Carbon-Neutral Grid-Connected Communities

AbstractIn this study, optimal carbon-neutral designs are evaluated for grid-connected communities that include net-zero energy (NZE) homes in Boulder, CO. Specifically, the economic and environmental benefits are assessed for residential communities with various mixtures of both NZE and non-NZE homes. Optimization techniques based on life cycle costs including both capital costs and operating costs are used to design NZE homes as well as carbon-neutral communities. Using both energy efficiency measures and rooftop PV systems, the analysis estimates the capital costs required for NZE homes. Moreover, optimally sized distributed renewable systems are determined to achieve carbon-neutral operation for various types of residential communities. First, the impact of occupancy behavior in designing NZE homes as well as carbon-neutral communities is evaluated using three use patterns of appliances (i.e., refrigerator, television, dishwasher, and clothes washer) as well as domestic hot water. Then, different fractions of NZE homes are considered when designing carbon neural communities. The analysis indicates that occupant behavior can significantly affect the design of NZE homes as well as the capital costs to achieve this design. For instance, good behavior can result in 21.28% capital cost savings while bad behavior can result in a 10.42% increase in capital cost. Moreover, the analysis indicates while the communities made up partially or fully of NZE homes can attain carbon-neutral target with lower distributed generated (DG) capacities than non-NZE communities, they require high total capital costs at least based on current costs for distributed renewable technologies and utility electricity prices. Finally, it is found to be more cost-effective to share distributed power systems for communities rather than individual homes with their own rooftop PV system to attain carbon-neutral design.

Application of behind the meter battery storage system integrated with net metering in Indonesia

Indonesia’s energy supply system is experiencing a transition towards more sustainable energy generation with an increased amount of Rooftop Solar photovoltaic (PV). However, the daily variability of the solar resource, in addition to intermittent arising from moving cloud cover becomes shading. To enable Net zero energy home and optimize power management for future homes, Behind The Meter (BTM) battery storage as one solution to solve intermittent energy production, so as an improvement the energy saves. The objective of this paper is to analyze the financial metric of rooftop solar PV and Behind The Meter (BTM) battery storage in the rural sector so that the decision to integrate the rooftop solar PV and BTM battery storage can be solution for Net-zero energy home. Solar PV and BTM battery storage framework was designed to supply continuous and uninterrupted power to a typical house in Indonesia. Step by step method for financial simulation and implementation of the rooftop solar PV and BTM battery storage framework was done. System Advisor Model (SAM) is used for economic investigation. The economics of solar PV and BTM battery storage get LCOE real was $ 10.26 cents/kWh and total reduction CO2 around 7116 kg.

A two-step approach for cost-effective design analysis of Net Zero Energy Homes

Net Zero Energy Homes (NZEHs) have emerged as the solution to achieve sustainable house design. However, an NZEH entails higher capital cost compared with that of a conventional home, which comprises the main barrier for promoting NZEHs. In addressing this issue and promoting the cost-effective design of NZEHs, a two-step cost analysis framework with a mathematical model is proposed in this research: (1) qualified NZEH design scenarios are selected based on energy simulation, monitoring, and the acceptance as an NZEH in terms of energy balance; and (2) cost performance is analyzed for these qualified NZEH design scenarios, based on which the cost-effective design scenario is identified for an NZEH. Through the innovative two-step cost analysis with the optimization model, the cost-effective scenario is identified for NZEH design, while the identified design scenario also meets net-zero energy requirements. The proposed research framework with the mathematical model is demonstrated using an NZEH in Edmonton, Canada, as an example, and a capital cost savings of 4.2% is achieved by applying the proposed two-step approach in this research. This paper proposes a generic approach for the cost-effective design of NZEHs, and the research results contribute to the promotion of the NZEH application.

Development and techno-economic evaluation of pathways to new construction net-zero energy houses in Nova Scotia, Canada

The residential sector accounts for 17% of all energy consumption in Canada. Efforts to reduce this energy consumption and the associated emissions include the replacement of traditional housing with passive and net-zero energy house designs. These two concepts involve the decreasing of loads as much as possible through high-performance enclosures and high-efficiency mechanical and electrical systems as well as, in the case of net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs), offsetting these small loads with their own on-site renewable energy generation. The techno-economic feasibility of achieving NZEB status for a new construction, detached, single-family residences in Nova Scotia, Canada, is evaluated using a combination of energy modelling software to estimate annual energy use for proposed home designs as well as estimating the prospective monetary costs of proposed home designs. These energy use and cost evaluations are compared to a “base case”, an approximation of a current typical new construction four-person home. Based on cost and energy savings associated with each potential upgrade, a pathway to achieving a net-zero energy home is developed. This home can be developed in Nova Scotia at a 20% increase in initial cost with a payback period of 12 years when compared to the base case.

Whole-House Emission Rates and Loss Coefficients of Formaldehyde and Other Volatile Organic Compounds as a Function of the Air Change Rate.

Whole-house emission rates and indoor loss coefficients of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were determined from continuous measurements inside a net-zero energy home at two different air change rates (ACHs). By turning the mechanical ventilation on and off, it was demonstrated that formaldehyde concentrations reach a steady state much more quickly than other VOCs, consistent with a significant indoor loss rate attributed to surface uptake. The first order loss coefficient for formaldehyde was 0.47 ± 0.06 h-1 at 0.08 h-1 ACH and 0.88 ± 0.22 h-1 at 0.62 h-1 ACH. Loss rates for other VOCs measured were not discernible, with the exception of hexanoic acid. A factor of 5.5 increase in the ACH increased the whole-house emission rates of VOCs but by varying degrees (factors of 1.1 to 3.8), with formaldehyde displaying no significant change. The formaldehyde area-specific emission rate (86 ± 8 μg m-2 h-1) was insensitive to changes in the ACH because its large indoor loss rate muted the impact of ventilation on indoor air concentrations. These results demonstrate that formaldehyde loss rates must be taken into account to correctly estimate whole-house emission rates and that ventilation will not be as effective at reducing indoor formaldehyde concentrations as it is for other VOCs.

Dynamic Modeling and Optimal Design for Net Zero Energy Houses Including Hybrid Electric and Thermal Energy Storage

Net zero energy (NZE) houses purchase zero net metered electricity from the grid over a year. Technical challenges brought forth by NZE homes are related to the intermittent nature of solar generation, and are due to the fact that peak solar generation and load are not coincident. This leads to a large rate of change of load, and in case of high PV penetration communities, often requires the installation of gas power plants to service this variability. This article proposes a hybrid energy storage system including batteries and a variable power electric water heater which enables the NZE homes to behave like dispatchable generators or loads, thereby reducing the rate of change of the net power flow from the house. A co-simulation framework, INSPIRE+D, which enables the dynamic simulation of electricity usage in a community of NZE homes, and their connection to the grid is enabled. The calculated instantaneous electricity usage is validated through experimental data from a field demonstrator in southern Kentucky. It is demonstrated that when the operation of the proposed hybrid energy storage system is coordinated with solar PV generation, the required size and ratings of the battery would be substantially reduced while still maintaining the same functionality. Methodologies for sizing the battery and solar panels are developed.

Sustainable Housing: Understanding the Barriers to Adopting Net Zero Energy Homes in Ontario, Canada

Buildings in Canada account for a significant amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and net zero energy building technology has been identified as part of the solution. This study presents a conceptual model identifying barriers to the adoption of net zero energy housing and tests it by administering a survey to 271 participants in a net zero energy housing demonstration project in Toronto, Canada. Using multivariate correlation and multi-linear regression analyses this study finds that of all the innovation adoption variables it was the construction and design quality that was the most significant contributor to the adoption of a net zero energy home by a potential home owner. This study found that the (a) extra cost compared to a conventional home, b) lack of knowledge about the technology associated with a net zero energy home or (c) not knowing someone who owned a net zero energy home were not significant barriers to accepting net zero energy homes. Our results suggest that policy-makers should promote the diffusion of net zero energy home technology by encouraging housing developers to include net zero energy homes in their collection of model homes, with an emphasis on quality design and construction. Furthermore, engaging in trust building initiatives such as education and knowledge about the technology, its related energy cost savings, and the environmental benefits would contribute to a greater acceptance of net zero energy homes.

Energy cost minimization for net zero energy homes through optimal sizing of battery storage system

Whilst a net zero energy (NZE) home produces the same amount of energy as it consumes it still exchanges significant amount of energy with the grid due to mismatch between the generation and load patterns. Consequently, the homeowner has to pay an annual electric bill because the cost of imported energy is usually higher than that of exported energy. Installing a local battery energy storage system (BESS) can reduce the electric bill by exchanging less energy with the grid. This paper proposes a method of determining the optimal size of a BESS for a typical NZE home with rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system to minimize the annual net payment for electricity and battery cost. The optimal battery size is determined through solving an optimization problem which is formulated using hourly load and PV generation data for a South Australian home, battery annual payment rate, retail price (RP), and feed-in tariff (FIT). The effects of interest rate, RP and FIT on the annual net payment are investigated. The results obtained are thoroughly analysed and clearly indicate that, with current installation cost of BESS and South Australian RP and FIT, the use of a local BESS is economically beneficial for the homeowner.

Feasibility of off-grid housing under current and future climates

This study evaluates the feasibility of off-grid operation of fully electric housing under current and future global warming climates through case studies using building simulations. The case studies were carried out for two house types with different sizes and construction materials, under two typical occupancy patterns (occupied full day and evening only), in seven cities chosen to be representative of a broad range of climates. The study examined three operational scenarios: off-grid operation using PV and batteries; off-grid operation with PV, battery and petrol generator; and grid-connected net zero energy operation.Results show that for the houses being powered by electricity only in warm and moderate climates, large PV battery systems are required to achieve off-grid housing using PV and batteries only, and that payback periods are longer than 15.8 years under current and projected future climates considering replacement cost of battery storage, and projected inflation, discount rate and electricity price escalation rate. Off-grid operation with PV and batteries is economically unviable in heating dominated regions. The study shows that when a PV battery system is hybridized with an on-site petrol generator, the payback periods can be reduced significantly, and it may become economically feasible to operate off-grid with PV, battery and generator for both house types under most occupancy scenarios in moderate and warmer climates, but may still not be economically viable in colder climates. The case study also demonstrates that a grid-connected net zero energy home is economically feasible for all seven cities studied, and more economically attractive than a fully off-grid house under both current and projected future climates, even without subsidies for solar feed-in tariffs.

Experimental and sensitivity analysis of a smart dual fuel system in a net-zero energy home

Hybrid residential HVAC system, comprising of with a natural gas furnace and an air-source heat pump (ASHP), is gaining interest as a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional HVAC system with a natural gas furnace and central air-conditioner. Such hybrid HVAC systems could take advantage of the relatively clean and cost competitive time-of-use (TOU) electricity pricing to meet heating demand with the ASHP during milder winter temperature and off-peak hours. Current hybrid systems rely on a pre-set outdoor temperature set point for heating source switching, thus making such system inflexible and not optimal. In the current study, the NZEH model was experimentally validated using collected data and an extensive sensitivity analysis was performed. The Smart Dual Fuel Switching System (SDFSS) was simulated to operate in different scenarios including different major cities in Ontario (Canada), different types of residential houses, operate under the proposed federal carbon tax and operate with different new time-of-use electricity pricing schemes. The different scenarios demonstrate the benefits and flexibility of such Smart Duel Switching System in terms of reducing the space heating energy consumption and associated operating cost and greenhouse gas emission on an annual basis.

Unified energy management and load control in building equipped with wind-solar-battery incorporating electric and hydrogen vehicles under both connected to the grid and islanding modes

This paper presents a unified model for home energy management. The proposed model optimizes the cogeneration of wind, solar, and battery storage units. The introduced tool considers electric and hydrogen vehicles and provides optimal charging pattern for them. The water electrolyze is also modeled to produced breathable oxygen and hydrogen from water. As well, the load modeling options such as adjustable and interruptible loads are included in the planning in order to increase the flexibility and adeptness of the proposed energy management system. The uncertainties of wind and solar powers are included resulting in a stochastic programming. The proposed stochastic optimization problem is mathematically expressed as a mixed integer linear programming and solved by GAMS software. The problem minimizes cost of energy consumption in the building subject to the operational constraints of wind unit, solar panel, battery system, loads, electric-hydrogen vehicles, and electricity grid. The proposed test building is studied under two states including connected to the electrical grid and disconnected from the gird (i.e., islanding mode or NetZero energy home). The impacts of the proposed planning on the environmental pollution are also considered and simulated. The results verify that the proposed strategy can successfully utilize wind-solar-battery units to supply the load, charging the electric-hydrogen vehicles, and reduction of the pollution. As well, it is demonstrated that the operation of the home under islanding mode is completely different from the connected state.

Thermal performance analysis of net zero energy home for sub zero temperature areas

With the increase in energy demand globally, environmental risks are also becoming more serious than ever before. Emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) are hastily contributing to global warming and ozone depletion phenomenon. Buildings play a major role in consumption of energy and emission of greenhouse gases. It is need of the hour to design such buildings which have zero emission and have renewable resources of energy for on-site generation. The theory of net zero energy and zero emission home is hot topic in the sustainable building industry these days. This study targets to design a model towards energy-neutral or net-zero energy home in sub-zero temperature areas. On-site renewable energy resources are employed to generate energy independently including solar and wind energy. System is simulated for whole year on hourly basis in TRNSYS® simulation software. Results have shown good tendency for the construction of net-zero energy homes and renewable energy resources have shown promising outputs for on-site energy generation. Cold climate areas may have lower energy generation due to lower solar insolation during winter season. Pakistan has shown very good results and surplus energy produced. Lowest value of photovoltaic electric power generated is recorded 680 W in Barcelona during January, whereas Sydney has a lot of potential for PV generation of 1400 W. For wind turbine with hub height at 46 m, system produced 0.2 MW lowest value in California and highest value 1.85 MW in Karachi. Annual peak zone temperature has been recorded for Lahore 65 °C. System designed finds highest implementation with stated conditions.

Load-match-driven design of solar PV systems at high latitudes in the Northern hemisphere and its impact on the grid

Several challenges accompany the deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology in residential construction, such as determining an optimum size and layout design for on-site utilisation that conforms to local roof-sloping practice. Common solar PV installation practice tends to prefer the Equator-facing orientation due to its maximised energy aggregate regardless of household load patterns. Solar PV applications in high-latitude regions encounter other challenges, such as significant seasonal variations in daylight hours and in the sun’s path. These challenges result in a PV mismatch: (a) in winter, minimal PV-generated energy and high energy demand (due to space and hot-water heating), and (b) in summer, PV over-generation and reduced energy demand. This study aims to provide a framework that identifies the best possible layout placement and size by applying the generalised reduced gradient nonlinear optimisation algorithm. In this regard, we monitor at one-minute intervals the energy performance of eleven single-family homes in Edmonton, Canada, some of which are net-zero energy homes and others of which are energy-efficient homes. Results show that in temperate climates at high latitudes in the Northern hemisphere, a south-west facing solar PV system installed at a tilt angle 10° above or below the local latitude can significantly improve the self-consumption compared to common installation practice.

Towards Net-Zero Energy in Hot-Dry Regions: Building Envelope Design Strategies for Single-Family Homes

Global climate change is serving as warning signs it gradually begins to capture the attention of people at large. Many actions have been and continue to be taken by governments and organizations to preserve the planet, which is impactful and needed. But conservation efforts are not exclusive to governments and large institutions- individuals can contribute in multiple ways that will have ripple effects, one being the choice to build sustainable, net-zero energy homes. Building a house that is a net-zero energy requires many strategies.One of the most compelling factors in reducing the home energy consumption, to then achieve a net-zero energy home especially in hot-dry regions, is the optimization of the building envelope performance. This paper discussed several building envelope design strategies that are suitable for homes in hot-dry regions and tested them.The Methods including analyzing case study from Qater by using computer and were analyzed using Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools for energy simulation programs. All those strategies were applied to a design proposal for a house in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which is a hot-dry region. Further, the same simulation analyses were projected onto an identical house to the design proposal, but with a traditional, low-efficient building envelope.The results showed that the house with the high-efficient building envelope had 48% less energy consumption than the one that has the low-efficiency envelope.This research demonstrated the efficacy of the building envelope to reduce the energy consumption of single-family homes in hot-dry regions. The study outlines vital strategies for a high-efficient building envelope design in hot-dry areas that reaching net-zero energy homes and thus help to offset the negative impact of climate changes in arid areas.