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
6 Critical Questions to Ask About a Solar Battery System
This new generation of solar battery systems is a game-changer! Arm yourself with the tough questions to ask to make sure the system works best for you.
5 Reasons You Need Solar Battery Storage with Your PV Panels
New technologies that integrate solar battery storage into home solar installations have finally made the leap to completely meeting homeowners’ needs.
Salt Lake City Hopes Tiny Homes and ADUs Have Big Impact
Tiny homes and ADUs foster homeownership. So policymakers are partnering with designers and modular construction companies ensure that these additions to local neighborhoods are affordable, beautiful, and sustainable.
Abandoning Gas for All-Electric Homes: The Future is Now
By eliminating natural gas appliances from our homes, and replacing them with efficient electric options, we contribute to better health for us all.
Five Paths to an Ethically Sustainable Home
Understanding how ethics and sustainability are connected is crucial to unlocking decision-making strategies—wherever you call home.
LED Light Bulbs for Now, and for the Future
LED light bulbs that were once very expensive can be had for $5 or less. The savings in energy cost, year after year, pays for the investment many times over. But which products will last, and show you and your home in their very best light?
Source Hydropanels Generate Renewable Water From Thin Air
Imagine solar panels that can take air and turn it into fresh drinking water for you and your family. Source Hydropanels have figured out a way to make this not-so-crazy concept a reality. Read More …
Net Zero Water Through The Lens Of The Desert Rain House
In an era of increasing water scarcity, the innovations at Bend, Oregon’s Desert Rain house, America’s first Living Building Challenge-certified residence, are worth tapping into.
Extreme Panel Energy-Saving Structural Integrated Panels
Extreme energy savings Building with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) from Extreme Panel Technologies is the ultimate way to build green. Extreme SIPs regularly save owners 50-60% on heating and cooling costs. The panels can be used as a complete building envelope...
Fresh Air For Your Family: Deciding Whether an ERV or HRV is Right For You
Home building has come a long way in the last 50 years. New standards for improved insulation values and air-tightness have enabled huge boosts in energy efficiency. But these improvements come with a risk of poor indoor air quality and moisture retention. Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) and Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) are air exchange systems that not only offer great benefits for your home and your health, but can also help in saving money from your utility bills.
From Carbon Neutral to Carbon Positive: How Your Home Can Give Back to the Planet and You!
Carbon positive homes take the concept of carbon-neutral design one step further by producing more energy on-site than the building requires to operate — sending energy back to the grid and setting a new standard of sustainable living. We achieve carbon positive homes by building with low embodied carbon materials and creating an energy surplus under operation.
5 reasons why your next kitchen appliance should be an induction cooktop
By Lauren Feldis Induction technology makes cooking faster, easier, and safer than ever before! Consumers have been continuously impressed by induction ranges since they were first introduced in North America by Frigidaire. At a 1950s “World Fair”...
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 CO2 emissions buildings are responsible for
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