The Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings (CARB), led by Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (SWA) since 1995, is one of several teams that are working to achieve the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America program goal of making zero net energy homes - homes that require no net off-site energy over the year to operate - a practical, cost-effective reality by 2020.
Joining SWA as a key member of CARB is the Davis Energy Group (DEG). DEG brings 20+ years of technology development, building energy analysis, and field monitoring experience to CARB. In addition to working with several California builders, DEG identifies new product opportunities and conducts funded R&D to develop them and evaluate their potential.
CARB works with scores of professionals throughout the homebuilding industry to design, engineer, construct, and test energy-efficient homes. Several thousand of these homes have been built in communities throughout the country. Results range from a 30% improvement in energy efficiency with little or no cost to the builder, to truly "zero-net-electric" homes that consume virtually no electrical energy.
CARB projects start with a thorough analysis of current standard building practices and local climate conditions. The systems-engineering strategies used to build the houses assure the highest level of performance, while maintaining market appeal. The team utilizes a "build, test, rebuild, retest" methodology to develop the optimal cost-effective solution to each home design, community, region, and climate zone.
CARB provides uniquely builder-oriented assistance to improve energy performance and resource efficiency. By incorporating the builder's cost and marketing goals, CARB ensures that innovations will be adopted throughout the builder's product line. In addition, CARB works with builders to ensure that measures are in place to maintain quality assurance.
