You’ve decided to build a custom home! There are many things to think about, including where you’ll build, the design style, the materials, fixtures, and finishes that will make the house a home you’ll live in for years to come. You may have considered green building practices, like using recycled or renewable building materials that regenerate faster than traditional building materials. Low-E glass, solar panels, and other features may be part of your plan, but you may also want to consider a net zero energy home.
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What is a Net Zero Energy Home?
Your net zero energy home will look like any other home on the block, but inside you’ll know it’s better. Net zero energy homes are “grid-tied” homes (they are hooked up to city or other local utility services) that are so well built they’re air-tight, well-insulated and energy efficient that they produce as much renewable energy as the consume in the course of year. The result? A net zero energy bill, and a carbon-free home.
Zero energy homes combine advanced designs and superior building systems with energy efficient details, including on-site solar panels, to produce an all-around better and more energy efficient home. You won’t have to worry about comfort, noise, air quality, or other inefficiencies while living in a sustainable, affordable home.
How Big is a Net Zero Energy Home?
Net zero energy homes are built to your specifications for size, layout, number of floors, and all the nitty gritty details of home design. Net zero energy homes can be as small as a two-bedroom house to a several thousand square foot mansion. They come in many styles, too, including Colonial, Craftsman, modern, ranch, and others.
The Benefits of a Net Zero Energy Home
There are a number of benefits that come with building and owning a net zero energy home. From contributing to a cleaner, greener environment to your own health, peace of mind, and cost savings, the long-term benefits of a net zero energy home far outweigh the higher up front building costs.
Environmental Benefits
Combat Climate Change
Climate change has been a hot button issue for decades, and the building and construction industry is one of the worst offenders. In fact, studies have shown that up to 50% of the world’s pollutants are waste produced by construction, both residential and commercial. Your net zero energy home is built with a combination of design, building techniques, and technologies that result in net zero carbon emissions. Because of these practices, your home will not contribute to climate change.
Clean Energy Source
One of the major contributors to climate change is our use of fossil fuels. When you choose to build a net zero energy home, fossil fuels and the pollutants they emit will not be part of the equation. Instead, the energy in your home is created from clean, renewable resources – the solar panels on your property!
Pioneer the Future
Still a rather new concept, net zero energy homes are the wave the of the future. By building a net zero energy home, you can help lead the way to a better, brighter future for your family, community, and the world. Not only are net zero energy homes built for energy efficiency, they take advantage of cutting-edge ideas, techniques, and technologies for energy-efficiency and sustainability in the residential building and construction sector.
Improved Indoor Environment
Your indoor environmental quality is just as important as the outdoor environmental quality. Since net zero energy homes are built with air-tight walls, they incorporate extremely energy-efficient fresh air systems. Such systems provide pre-heated or pre-cooled fresh, filtered air, all free of outside pollutants and allergens for healthier living. Net zero energy home has a highly energy-efficient, quiet, user-friendly comfort system for heating and cooling for year-round comfort. Additionally, net zero energy home are constructed with non-toxic finishes, materials, and surfaces, resulting in an overall healthier indoor environment.
Financial Benefits
Lower Cost of Home Ownership
The cost of home ownership is more than just a monthly mortgage payment. Heating and cooling, water, electricity, gas, and other utilities all need to be considered whether you build or buy a home. When you build a net zero energy home, those energy bills disappear, other than a monthly hook-up or maintenance fee. That’s potentially thousands of dollars that can go toward other expenses, building a rainy day fund, or paying off the mortgage faster.
Increased Durability & Lower Maintenance Costs
Another cost of home ownership not everyone has at the top of their mind is maintenance. Major appliances only last so long, and accidents happen that may call for the unexpected replacement of something. Net zero energy homes are built with techniques and materials that are more durable, last longer, and require less upkeep than those in traditionally- built homes.
Due to the durability mentioned above, as well as air-tight construction and a fresh air system, net zero energy homes are more low maintenance and easier to keep clean. Owning a net zero energy home means not worrying about mold, water damage, or excess dust and a clean and healthy indoor environment.
No Increased Energy Costs
Since your home is net zero energy, you don’t pay anything, or very little, in energy costs. This means you’re protected from the increase of energy prices experienced by standard homes.
Lower Water Bill
Your net zero energy home is more than an energy-efficient shell. It includes items like dishwashers, washing machines, faucets, and toilets. By using energy and water saving appliances and low-flow or “water sense” controls for sinks and toilets, you can save water and energy in your home, resulting in a lower monthly water bill.
Higher Resale Value
You’ve only decided to start building your dream home, why would you consider selling it? Even when you’re just starting, you want to look to the future and the benefits you’ll see. Durability, efficiency, advanced technologies, and more are favorable factors when it comes to calculating the resale value of your home.
Positive Energy
Your net zero energy home will conserve more electricity, on average, than it uses. This provides you with a surplus of energy you can use to power other things, like the charging station for your electric vehicle(s), electric yard equipment, or even your mobile devices.
Quality of Life Benefits
Lighting
Net zero energy homes get much of their energy for natural light. They are designed and built using passive solar design principles to make the most of natural daylight – including its heat and light – to create a warm, inviting home.
When it comes to artificial lighting, net zero energy homes leverage strategically placed energy-efficient LED lighting and lighting control systems to provide just the right light and ambiance.
Instant Hot Water
Older homes – and even newer homes built with tank-style water heaters – eventually run out of hot water. Depending on the size of the tank and how long it takes to refill, you have to conserve and schedule your hot water use to make sure there’s enough for the task.
Your net zero energy home uses a centrally located water heater and energy-saving hot water circulation system for the ultimate conservation of hot water. Another benefit: the water will always be hot when you want a shower or relaxing bath at the end of a long day, and you’ll still save on your water bill!
Quick & Accurate Cooking
Energy efficiency in net zero energy homes extends to every facet of the home. Home chefs looking to build a net zero energy home will enjoy picking out energy-efficient induction stove tops instead of gas ranges. The added bonus: faster cook times and better temperature control.
Live Anywhere
Last, but certainly not least, net zero energy homes can be built anywhere! Whether you live in the sweltering heat of the Arizona desert, the coldest corners of Alaska, or a region where heat and humidity rule day, a net zero energy home can survive in every one of those climates.
Before your net zero energy home is built, professionals use location-specific climate data to tailor your home’s needs to the regional climate pattern, whatever that may be.
Final Thoughts
Choosing to build a custom home is a big decision, and the staff at Acipe Design knows you want everything to be perfect. If green building, sustainability, and a net zero energy home are on your wish list, we can help you design and build a home to your specifications.
Contact us for a consult today!