net zero energy
June 8, 2020
The Many Benefits of All-Electric Design
Decades of advertising tell us that gas is cheap. Even without factoring in the cost of climate change, natural gas is no longer the least expensive choice for residential use. It’s a new era of cost-effective, low carbon, all-electric homes.
Read ArticleMay 20, 2020
Four Steps to Zero Carbon Buildings
New homes and buildings will stand for decades, if not centuries. The carbon emissions embodied in the building materials and resulting from the manufacturing and construction processes must be factored into their overall carbon footprints. These four steps will get us started on the path to zero carbon.
Read ArticleMarch 18, 2020
The Mystery of Misapplied Mini-Splits
If you’ve ever heard that a mini-split heat pump wasn’t fulfilling its potential there is no mystery — the problem was almost certainly errors in design or installation. Here’s everything that needs to happen for a proper installation and reliable performance.
Read ArticleMarch 18, 2020
Production Builders, It’s Time to Sell Zero Energy Homes
Zero energy homes are poised to go mainstream. Large builders have the scale necessary to launch the market into this new territory. Homebuyers save and builders profit.
Read ArticleFebruary 15, 2020
Wall Upgrades for Deep Energy Retrofits
Upgrading the energy performance of walls in an existing home is the most challenging aspect of a deep energy retrofit. One of these eight options will work for just about any zero energy renovation.
Read ArticleJanuary 22, 2020
Achieve Comfort and Reliable Performance with Cold-Climate Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are on track to replace heating systems that burn fossil fuels. Modern inverter-driven models can be extremely efficient, even at low outdoor temperatures, and they are capable of supplying all a home’s comfort needs. Here are three tips for builders and HVAC contractors to reach peak heat pump performance and keep customers happy.
Read ArticleJanuary 22, 2020
Zero Energy Buildings Surge Ahead
The 2019 inventories of zero energy buildings show growth is strong in this important sector of the construction industry. New homes, apartments, and commercial buildings are increasing their share of the market at an impressive pace.
Read ArticleNovember 18, 2019
Energy Efficiency is Necessary but Not Nearly Sufficient!
Ask people how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and most will say “improve energy efficiency.” That may be a step in the right direction, but it’s time to adopt a better measure – a building’s total carbon emissions.
Read ArticleNovember 14, 2019
Planning Your Zero Energy Ready Home
Although the price of solar panels has plunged in recent years, they are still the most expensive element of a zero energy home. It’s okay to defer installing panels until the time is right. Here’s how to plan your zero energy ready home so it’s ready for solar when you are.
Read ArticleOctober 21, 2019
How many solar panels does it take to power an electric car?
This question is becoming more common as we begin to move past zero energy homes into the realm of positive energy. Homes can do more than power themselves. They can also put a huge dent in the energy use and carbon emissions from our personal transportation.
Read ArticleJuly 18, 2019
Growth in Zero Energy Home Building Continues to Surge
The most recent inventory of zero energy homes by Team Zero, formerly the Net Zero Energy Coalition, has just been released. The sector is steadily growing in the US and Canada.
Read ArticleJuly 14, 2019
The Future is Electric
Natural gas is no more natural than coal or petroleum, and must be phased out rapidly. This means that all new buildings must be powered by clean electricity from renewable sources. It’s just common sense.
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