Designers and builders may need to make adjustments in their homes when California implements its upcoming zero energy building code for homes. Those adjustments are spelled out and illustrated in this new booklet. It’s a great guide for zero energy home design no matter where you live.

Times are changing. While early zero energy homes may have required a significant up-front cost premium, designers and builders now have many ways to make zero energy affordable. Here’s our laundry list of design, construction and financing ideas for affordable zero energy homes.

Home improvement loans to fund energy-efficiency improvements are now available around the U.S. A new report shows that they are benefiting borrowers and offering secure investments for communities.

This develop/design/build firm is now dedicated to 100% zero energy residential projects. Since lenders continue to neglect the growing zero energy segment, this ambitious company has created its own impact investment fund to finance their zero energy homes.

Designing affordable zero energy homes involves balancing numerous individual energy saving features to reach a cost-effective compromise that also meets functional needs and aesthetic standards. The predictions of two modeling programs – REM/Rate and BuildEquinox Zero – are compared to the actual energy use of a zero energy home.

This new guidebook details how to make new schools achieve zero energy performance. Written by leading professional organizations, the information offers valuable guidance for designer, construction teams and school administrators.

Teamwork is the key to building zero energy homes that are functional and beautiful.

Since most American homes already have a forced-air heating and cooling system, it’s almost irresistible to use the same ductwork for fresh air ventilation. But beware the pitfalls! Avoid performance-killing mistakes by following these essential guidelines. This is the second installment of a two-part series.

One of the most visible, and perhaps even iconic, features of a super energy-efficient home is the heat recovery ventilator (HRV). These devices remove stale air from the home and replace it with pre-heated fresh air from outside. The result is better indoor air quality and lower energy use than in standard homes. The HRV […]

State governments are stepping into the policy void created by the U.S. government’s denial of science and reversal of environmental rules. The latest move comes from the State of Oregon with a sweeping new initiative to promote clean energy for buildings and vehicles.

At some point, homes can become too broken to fix. Instead of pumping public funds into lost causes, combine existing funding sources to provide new homes that are safe, healthy and dignified for a longer-term, smarter solution.

Efforts to address energy poverty in low-income families by helping to reduce their energy burden have been inadequate. It’s time to make these efforts more comprehensive and more effective.