EBL Engineers, LLC of Baltimore, MD is pleased to announce that they have been awarded the MEP design for the Net Zero Energy Residential Test Facility (NZERTF) for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under subcontract to Building Science Corporation (BSC) of Somerville, MA.  The NZERTF will be used to demonstrate the viability of the Net Zero Energy concept for a residential structure that is similar in size and aesthetics to the surrounding homes in the Gaithersburg area.  The NZERTF will generate as much energy on an annual basis as it consumes when operated in a manner that mimics a residence occupied by a family of four.  It will subsequently be used as a lab for testing various building energy technologies by the Building Fire and Research Laboratory (BFRL) of NIST.  The HVAC and electrical designs will incorporate the initial requirements as well as the future requirements for the energy technologies testing laboratory.  These criteria were established by NIST and BSC.  Additional requirements for air-tightness, indoor air quality and LEED for Homes must be met.

The NZERTF will be a wood-framed structure with approximately 2,500 SF of interior space with a basement and an attic.  The entire space, including the basement and the attic, will be conditioned.  The detached garage will serve as the facility control room where the interior loads of the “simulated family of four” can be programmed and monitored.  Lights turning on and off, showers starting and stopping, cooking all can be controlled through this space.  

As engineering consultants for this project, EBL will provide Design, Construction Drawings, and Specifications for HVAC (conventional and geothermal) Electrical, Photovoltaic Generation, Plumbing, Solar Thermal Domestic Water Heating and Fire Sprinkler Systems suitable for a public bid process.