Green living: what is a net zero home?

Net zero homes produce as much energy as they consume. They’re composed of high-quality, energy-efficient materials and integrate sources of renewable energy into their designs.

For a building to have a net energy consumption of zero, it has to be extremely well designed and constructed. Its walls, doors and windows must be highly insulating, and its foundation has to be properly sealed with a product that has a high R-value (an indicator of a material’s resistance to heat flow). There must also be minimal air leakage through cracks and crannies.

In addition to the above, the house must generate its own energy. Most net zero homes have solar panels installed that produce energy for the home to use. Others use geothermal heating or cooling systems, which use the temperature of the ground to regulate the temperature inside the house.

If you’re planning to build your next home, consider the advantages of a net zero home. It benefits the environment and guarantees long-term savings when it comes to your energy bills. Plus, you can often sell extra solar energy that you produce back to the grid.