What if your home was so efficient that it produced as much energy as it used? What if you never had to pay another electricity bill? Green dreams like this are coming true all over the world. Whether you’re building or remodeling, a net zero energy home is well within your grasp. And, we really want you to have one.
Buildings are tremendous users of electricity, accounting for more than 70% of electricity use in the U.S. If we can get to net zero, we can make a huge difference in the fight against climate change. So, we’ve assembled tons of resources to try to make it as easy as possible for every homeowner (or soon-to-be) to take the necessary steps to create an ultra-efficient home (without sacrificing beauty, comfort, or your bank account).
STEP 1: Scroll through this page to find the best place for you to start.
(Really, take 30 seconds to scroll through the whole page before clicking. We want to make your journey as efficient and effective as possible and that means finding the right place to dive in.)
Net Zero Homes 101
5 Ways Community Solar Empowers Solar for All
The benefits of solar aren’t just limited to those who install solar themselves. Community solar allows almost anyone to reap the rewards with no upfront costs.
Resilient Solar Town Rides Out 1-in-1,000–Year Hurricane
This resilient community thrives on 1500MW of solar power, its own water-treatment plant, and surrounding wetlands for natural beauty and stormwater management.
2 Reasons to Certify an Existing Home for Sale [Podcast]
Brett Vredevoogd and Pamela Brookstein join host Marla Esser Cloos to talk about IRA money and how certifications can impact real estate and appraisals.
Green Concrete: The Foundation for a Sustainable Home
New, green concrete options are emerging to help lower the embodied carbon of homes and buildings and achieve global climate goals.
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.
Home EV Charging Made Simple (But Do Hire an Electrician)
Home EV charging setups can be tricky. So we’ve developed a primer: from model options and safe installation, to pricing and solar storage.
Synergies in Sustainable Modular Homes Bring Savings
Recent advances in sustainable modular home construction can achieve the eco home of your dreams, with quality, tight construction always top of mind.
Heat Pump Dryers for Low-Impact Laundry
Heat pump dryers are an exciting, relatively new electrification technology. One can cut perhaps 10% of your household energy use.
Embodied Carbon: Reduce Your Home’s Hidden Carbon Footprint
Embodied carbon accounts for creating and installing the materials in your home—and could exceed the total carbon footprint of operating your home for decades.
From Carbon Neutral to Carbon Positive: How Your Home Can Give Back to the Planet and You!
Carbon positive homes set a new standard by producing more energy on-site than the building requires to operate.
Low-Voltage LED Landscape Lighting: Maximize Sustainability
Consider the harm of rampant outdoor lighting. Then look to LED low-voltage landscape lighting for maximum lighting effects and minimal environmental impacts.
What Makes A Truly Energy Efficient Window?
Proper framing, installation, glazing, and styling come together – extending the lifetime of your windows, saving energy, and reducing your carbon footprint
Don't have time for research? How can we help?
The beautiful thing about high performance, green, net zero homes is that families can drastically reduce their carbon footprint with one simple decision without having to make any sacrifices. Living in this kind of home is not only better for the earth but also provides a more comfortable living experience and higher quality of life for its inhabitants.
Renewable Energy
Generate your own, buy it, or do a little of both. Any way you go, go with renewables. Learn how.
Books
Want to peruse the pages of a book? These are filled with gorgeous green homes and priceless advice. View books.
Net Zero Heroes
We created a Net Zero Hero Hall of Fame to recognize and celebrate leaders in the field and to shine a light on the possibilities. View the Hall of Fame.
Energy Efficiency
You’ve probably read thousands of energy efficiency tips, these are the ones that really matter. Learn more.
Videos
Prefer to learn by watching? Here are videos for net-zero beginners, advanced, and everything in between. See videos.
Homes for sale
Looking to buy instead of build or renovate? Net zero energy homes are increasingly popping up in the real estate market. Click through to browse.
Rebates, Grants & More
Find national, state, and local financial incentives for making the net zero energy home leap. Learn more.
Case Studies
Get into the nitty-gritty details of net-zero energy homes with these in-depth studies of their inner workings. Learn more.
Net Zero Products
A NZE home doesn’t have to look different, but there are certain products that are better suited to help you achieve your energy goals. Click through to browse.
EXPLORE INSPIRING NET ZERO ENERGY HOMES
FIND NET-ZERO ENERGY HOME PROS
Even though net-zero energy home building and renovation is still relatively new to the landscape, there are many pros out there ready to help you. If you’re looking for hands-on help in your neighborhood, here’s a directory of pros – architects, builders, HVAC, and more. Hiring pros familiar with the ins and outs of net-zero will save you the headaches of trying to get someone up to speed, and the time and money non-experts will burn through.

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Percent of total energy use buildings account for in US
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Percent of CO2 emissions buildings are responsible for
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