Net Zero Energy Homes

A home that produces as much power as it uses is considered a Net Zero Energy Home. In order to achieve this, the home must be designed with this goal in mind from the outset. With the current state of insulation and air sealing materials along with the latest technology in mechanical systems and renewable energies, this is now possible!

It takes a well crafted design to achieve this. The things to consider are:
-high levels of insulation,
-a well sealed, air-tight home with controlled air exchange,
-careful siting of the home in relation to the sun, and to predominate winds,
-use of passive heating, cooling and ventilation techniques (see Videos of sun studies),
-high quality windows and doors,
-highly efficient mechanical systems to produce and distribute heat, provide fresh air etc. and,
-use of renewable energy systems, including solar electric (PV), solar hot water, and geothermal heating.

The key to success is lowering the amount of energy needed so that the amount of energy produced can be kept to a minimum, thus keeping capital costs down.

This type of home protects you from current energy costs as well as future energy cost increases at a time when you may be on a fixed retirement income - very nice security to have!

Our Home
With the combination of highly insulated straw bale walls, a geothermal heat source, in-floor radiant pipes to distribute the heat, and a grid-tied solar array under the MicroFIT program, we’re only 6% of our energy needs away from being at zero. Replacing a few of our windows where the seals have failed and a couple of minor habit changes and we’ll soon be at zero…then the goal is to use less than we produce!