Purpose

The Net Zero Energy Residential Test Facility, located at the National Institute of Standards 

and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD, will 

enable the development and demonstration of 

measurement science needed to achieve netzero energy residential homes. The facility will 

initially be used to demonstrate that a residence, typical in size/features of homes in the 

metropolitan D.C. area, can produce as much 

energy from renewable energy resources as 

it consumes on an annual basis. It will subsequently be used to provide “real world” field 

data to validate and improve energy models 

and to improve laboratory based measurements of systems and components to better 

represent field performance. This facility, 

designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification, represents the joint efforts of NIST’s 

Engineering Laboratory, Building Science 

Corporation, the Department of Energy’s 

Building America Program, and NIST’s Office 

of Facilities and Property Management.

Net-Zero Energy 

Residential 

Test Facility

Unique Capabilities

The facility was designed to ensure that it would meet current and future measurement 

science needs to move the nation towards net 

zero energy homes. The inherent capabilities 

of this facility will enable:

•	 Improvement and validation of models 

used to predict annual energy production 

of solar systems 

•	 Development of the measurement science to 

characterize “as-installed” performance of 

various space-conditioning, water heating, 

integrated systems, and appliances, as well as 

the building's thermal envelope 

•	 Development of the measurement science 

required to capture the efficiency of various 

techniques of distributing conditioned air 

throughout a residential structure

•	 Improvement and validation of models 

used to predict the energy consumption 

of buildings

•	 Studies of earth-coupled heat pump systems 

using various ground-coupling techniques

•	 Evaluation of various methodologies and 

standards to interface a residence to the 

Smart Grid

•	 Field evaluation of test procedures for standard 

and Smart Grid enabled appliances

•	 Evaluation of the relative merits of various 

building control systems and strategies

•	 Evaluation of design strategies, technologies, 

and ventilation strategies to provide quality 

indoor environments consistent with energy 

efficiency goals

•	 Assessment of interactions between the building envelope, HVAC systems, and solar systems

 la bor ator y

engineering

July 2012

Engineering Laboratory (EL)

Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Director

100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8600

Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8600

Office of Facilities & Property Management

Stella S. Fiotes, AIA

Chief Facilities Management Officer

100 Bureau Drive, Stop 1900

Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1900

Architect of Record

Building Science Corporation

Engineer of Record

EBL Engineers, LLC

Contractor

Therrin Waddell

Subcontractor

Bethesda Bungalows

Technical Director

Dr. A. Hunter Fanney

100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8630

Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8630

Phone: 301 975 5864

E-mail: hunter.fanney@nist.gov

EL Web Site: www.nist.gov/el

l a b o r ato r y

engineering

R
Unique Features of 

NIST’s Net-Zero Energy 

Residential Test Facility

Building Envelope/Materials 

•	 Advanced framing and insulation 

techniques utilized 

•	 Fenestration units easily replaced

•	 All ductwork within conditioned space

•	 Extreme attention to building envelop details

•	 Building components selected to minimize 

heat loss/gain

■ Basement slab – R-11 1

■ Exterior below grade walls – R-25 

■ Exterior above grade walls – R-48 

■ Roof – R-75 

Photovoltaic System

•	 Reconfigurable array allowing 

researchers to select a power output between 

– 2.6 to 10.2 kW 2

•	 Reconfigurable direct

to alternating current 

inverters

•	 Rack mount system that 

facilities testing of various 

photovoltaic technologies 

Solar Thermal/Heat Pump Water 

Heating System 

•	 Variable collector array size and 

storage tank capacity

•	 Closed loop system 

•	 Capable of providing hot water and/or solar 

assist to earth coupled heat pump systems

•	 Heat pump water heater utilized to supply

water heating requirements not provided 

by solar system

Smart Grid 

•	 Incorporates smart grid meter/network capabilities for smart appliances/equipment

Air Distribution Systems

•	 Multiple zoning capabilities (floor, register, 

perimeter vs central)

•	 Conventional duct system 

•	 Small duct, high velocity air distribution system 

•	 Dedicated ductwork for humidification/dehumidification/heat recovery systems

Monitoring/Control 

Systems 

•	 Lights, appliances, and water use fixtures 

will be operated to simulate the use patterns 

of a typical family of four.

•	 Every electrical circuit within the facility is 

instrumented to enable measurement of 

point of use energy consumption.

•	 All Instrumentation/control equipment 

power is isolated from the facility both 

electrically and thermally.

Space Conditioning Systems

•	 Air-to-air central and multi-split heat 

pump systems

•	 Earth coupled heat pump system with three 

distinct earth coupled fields

■ Three vertical well loops (1, 2, or 3 active)

■ Variable length horizontal and slinky loops

Safety

•	 Incorporates fire sprinkler system

•	 Incorporates fire/smoke detectors interfaced to 

NIST’s emergency services division 

Windows (U-Value <0.2) Photovoltaic Inverter

Mechanical Systems

LED and CF Lighting

Radiant Heat (Future)

Energy Efcient Appliances

Enclosure Penetrations

Solar-Thermal Panels Electric Vehicle Ready

Roof (R-75)

Rim Joist (R-39)

Wall (R-48)

Basement 

(R-25 and R-11)

Photovoltaic Panels (10.2 kW)

1 The R-values (ft2 . °F . h/Btu) 

associated with the various building 

envelope assemblies are approximate

2 The photovoltaic power output is 

the projected output at standard 

reporting conditions

Building Science Corporation