Choosing to build a net zero energy home can have a huge effect on not just reducing your environmental footprint, but on the cost of your home over its entire lifespan. You may have to invest more money into building a net zero energy home, but that the savings you’ll experience over the home’s life will be well worth it.

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Once you factor in utility incentives or tax credits, your net zero energy home will only cost between 5 and 10 percent more to build than a normal home. The leftover difference will be recouped over the next 5 to 10 years in energy savings.

One of the key aspects to designing a net zero energy house is to build the most efficient building envelop that you can afford. The building envelope is the thermal barrier between the inside of your home and the outside of your home. The more effective it is, the less heat will leak out during the winter and the less cool air will escape during the summer.

Consider the benefits of designing a net zero energy home and contact us at Trilogy Builds for advice on selecting the green home design for you.

One of the things that you should consider when investing in a green building project is making your new home a zero-energy home. A zero-energy home is a sustainable home that produces as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis. The following are a few tips for building a zero-energy home:

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One of the most important elements of designing a zero-energy home is ensuring that the amount of energy that you need in order to both heat and cool the house is reduced. This is done by making sure the entire home has top-notch insulation to keep air from leaking out or in.

Another element to help reduce energy leaks is choosing the right windows. High-quality, energy-efficient windows will go a long way in making your home more energy efficient. You should also consider the HVAC system you use. Proper sizing software is needed for well-insulated homes so that over-sized equipment isn’t used, which is a waste of energy.

These are just a few elements that will help to create a zero-energy home. For additional information on green building, be sure to contact us at Trilogy Builds today.

Home energy use accounts for 21 percent of the nation’s carbon footprint, which is twice the carbon emissions of passenger cars, according to a San Jose Mercury News article.

But as the movement toward sustainability in home design and construction is gaining steam, green-tech experts tell the paper they’re expecting a banner year. It notes that even President Obama has proclaimed insulation “sexy.” 

In fact, the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board has found that there are 100 million homes in America, and energy-saving measures like insulation, caulking, and heating and cooling system upgrades can reduce household energy consumption by 10 percent to 40 percent.

We are focusing on sustainability with our Breckenridge’s first zero energy luxury home, and we hope to inspire others to consider their impact on the nations’ carbon footprint in home design as well.

To follow up on our invitation to join us at Saturday or Sunday’s free seminar about Breckenridge’s first zero energy luxury home, here’s a few more details about a zero energy home.

A Zero Energy Home produces its own energy—as much or more than it needs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

It combines state-of-the-art, energy-efficient construction and appliances with commercially available renewable energy systems.

The Department of Energy identifies four major advantages:

Improved comfort: An energy-efficient building envelope reduces temperature fluctuations

Environmental sustainability: The home saves energy and reduces pollution

Energy security: A home that produces energy protects from spikes in energy prices

Reliability: The home can be designed to continue functioning even during blackouts

We look forward to seeing you this weekend!