Builders are beginning to embrace zero net building techniques, building homes which produce as much energy as they use. In the past 5 years net-zero homes have begun to hit the market and for good reason. These homes offer buyers a reduced cost of ownership over the long term.
One selling point: energy bills that can run more than $2,700 a year are cut to about $700, and total energy savings allow buyers to recoup the purchase premium in roughly 12 years after tax incentives and rebates are included.
A 12 year recoup after tax incentives proves there is still a long way to go to bring these technologies to general public acceptance. The solar and wind power is offset by new efficient technologies in; natural lighting, high performance windows, energy star appliances, waste water heat recovery systems, thermal storage basements, high efficiency heat pumps, heat recovery ventilation, quality insulation and state of the art mechanical controllers.
See an interactive net-zero home here at wsj.com.
