A local company, Belmont Solar, has posted a very helpful guide, “Net Zero House: The Definitive Guide to Energy Savings,” to achieving Net Zero energy status, including good tips for any home and helpful links.
The guide shows homeowners how to reduce their carbon footprint and their monthly energy bills, and ideally not only to rely entirely on their own energy output but to receive payments from the utility company.
What is a Net Zero house? It is “so energy efficient that it produces as much renewable energy (on or off site) as it consumes, making it a self-sustainable structure that is carbon-neutral.”
In addition to using renewable energy, “Going Net Zero involves superior building construction, utilizing new technology, practicing energy saving tips, and thinking outside the box.”
A few other details:
• Yes, a 26% federal tax credit still exists.
• Energy savings and renewable systems increase home market value.
• Homes can sell their excess energy production to the utility company and/or store it in batteries (whose technology is advancing rapidly).
• Insulation is really important for any home!
• So easy to do: turn off electronic devices when not in use! Those eat up electricity supposedly for your convenience, so you don’t have to wait a few seconds. Those energy stealers include entertainment systems, cable boxes, video game systems, televisions, audio systems, routers, and phones.
• Heating efficiency: ductless mini splits, smart thermostats, energy-efficient appliances.
• Rainwater harvesting, composting, and recycling also save energy, whether your own or the community’s.
Check out the full article, or see any chapter:
Chapter 1: What is a Net Zero House?
Chapter 2: Why is a Net Zero House Important?
hapter 3: How Do I Get to a Net Zero House?
Chapter 4: Installing a Clean Energy Source For Your Net Zero House – Solar Panels
Chapter 5: Insulation for a Net Zero House
Chapter 6: Reducing Phantom Loads in Your Net Zero House
Chapter 7: Energy Saving Systems and Appliances for a Net Zero House
Chapter 8: Additional Energy Saving Tips and Practices for Your Net Zero House
West Chester Green Team 