Case Study: Zero Energy New Build in St. Paul

Project Background 

Energy efficiency was top of mind for Robert Straka as he began designing his new home on Mississippi Boulevard in St. Paul. After carefully considering the environmental impact of his housing wants and needs, Straka set course for Zero Energy Ready certification. Straka hired SALA Architects, Sustainable 9 Design + Build, and CEE’s new homes team to make his vision for a multi-rated energy efficient home a reality.

Many innovative sustainable features were incorporated into the home’s design plans. CEE’s team provided progress inspections and feedback reports to ensure these features matched rating codes and kept the build on track to achieve Zero Energy Ready certification. CEE’s energy raters went above and beyond the usual standard rating process by providing on-going design consultation and energy modeling updates during construction.  

With the help of CEE, Straka’s new home met multiple above- code energy efficiency certifications and won the Sustainable 9 team a Department of Energy (DOE) Housing Innovation Award at the 2020 Energy and Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) Summit.