zero energy home construction
January 25, 2024
Heat Pump Clothes Dryers: Low-Impact Laundry
Heat pump clothes dryers are an exciting, relatively new electrification technology. One can cut perhaps 10% of your household energy use.
Read ArticleJanuary 19, 2023
Electrifying? You May Not Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade
Abandoning gas for all-electric appliances? The electrical panel is the unsung hero of any home electrification project.
Read ArticleJanuary 2, 2023
Cold Climate Heat Pumps Warm Homes on the Coldest Days
We know that decarbonization requires electrifiction, and we know that heat pumps work in many situations. But many people still wonder: Will heat pumps work in cold temperatures?
Read ArticleSeptember 28, 2022
Builder Training & Consumer Demand Are Key To Getting to Zero
Together we are building demand for zero energy homes by arming consumers and professionals with resources to plan their own path to zero
Read ArticleSeptember 22, 2022
Highlighting Useful Technologies for Getting to Zero: The New Zero Energy Project Product Directory
Building materials and equipment play a key role in the efficiency and affordability of zero energy buildings. This is why we’re proud to introduce the Zero Energy Project Product Directory to help builders identify appropriate products and to stimulate the supply chain to provide products that will draw the building sector toward greater energy efficiency.
Read ArticleNovember 12, 2021
Shedding Light on the “Dark Side” of Solar Power
The dark side of solar power includes trashing millions of used solar panels and batteries in landfills, intermittent production, and taking large tracts of land out of productive use. But new recycling approaches, and energy management and land use strategies are keeping the light on solar. It has a bright future.
Read ArticleSeptember 20, 2021
Thinking Inside the Box
Factory-built homes show great promise for zero energy housing. This company is combining high performance and small size with low cost to meet the housing challenges of the coming decade.
Read ArticleAugust 5, 2021
Zero Homes Are Great: Let’s Make Them Better — Zero 2.0
Ten years ago, making a home or building generate as much energy as it uses over the course of a year seemed an immense challenge. Tens of thousands of these advanced energy-efficient structures have been built. But they need to be better to meet the challenges of climate change, health, security, and resilience. So what’s next? Zero 2.0!
Read ArticleMarch 18, 2021
Factory-built Homes — Another Path to Zero
The future of residential construction will include more factory buildings. BrightBuilt Home builds modular homes that are modern, durable, and zero energy ready. The precision of factory construction is a perfect match for zero energy homes, and BrightBuilt has been building zero energy homes this way since 2010.
Read ArticleMarch 18, 2021
Bill Gates’ Path to Zero
He may no longer be the world’s richest man, but he still has some big ideas about reducing greenhouse gases. Gates’ latest book describes an ambitious, well-thought-out, set of climate actions needed to get to zero by 2050. Building efficiency and electric vehicles are just the “easy” part. Here are highlights from his plan for what must be done and how to make it happen. It's a must read for all who want to help avoid a climate disaster.
Read ArticleMarch 6, 2021
Find an Experienced Zero Energy Professional in our New Directory
Building or renovating a home? One key to success is hiring zero energy experienced construction professionals. Now you can find designers, builders, energy consultants, prefab companies and panel manufacturers that have already built to zero. Check out our new, expanded directory of zero energy construction professionals.
Read ArticleFebruary 8, 2021
Now, a More Climate-Friendly Spray Foam
Spray foam is used enthusiastically by many builders hoping to improve energy performance of their projects. But the hidden climate impact of conventional 2-pound, closed- cell foam is actually a huge step backward. A new generation of low global warming potential spray foam corrects this fatal flaw.
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