Net Zero Energy Home Building - Plans and Design

Net Zero Energy Home Building - Plans and Design

For people in Seattle, or anywhere else for that matter, that are serious about the environment, building a home with a net zero design might be part of their plans. Because of it's culture, Seattle is one of the leading areas in design and building of Zero Energy Building (ZEB) or Net Zero Energy Building which are the terms used for home plans where the goal of the net energy consumption is zero. One of the first things the plans point out is the design has a cost that will be higher the closer the building gets to a zero energy net. Higher cost for building can turn into higher mortgage payments. While the monthly payment may be higher, the net zero side of the home plans should make up for the increased cost in the design. Even though it may take a while for the net zero design to return a financial advantage, it is important to consider helping improve the environment overall is part of the plans.

Fortunately the ZEB concept has been around long enough in Seattle that people building a new home in this design are not alone. In fact, there are already entire communities in the Seattle area where building a net zero home is the only option. To get started, it's best to find someone that has plenty of experience in the design of net zero energy building. Take a look at their other plans and talk to the building or home owners. Be prepared to have a home that might be smaller than you may have become accustomed. That's part of living in the zero net energy consumption world! Of course, it's not hard to think small in Seattle since most home building lots are pretty small. Also, remember the more square footage inside he home, the more materials you will need to buy to get to the goal of the plans. Solar panels and wind generators can be expensive.

Materials with strong insulation properties will also be required to make sure once you heat or cool your home, it stays at the comfortable temperature you set. Design plans call for a thermal barrier between the outside and inside of the home that is extremely formidable. Unless the temperature outside is exactly what you want it to be inside, energy will be required to heat or cool the home. Once the inside environment is set, there should be very little energy expended to maintain the comfort level. A lot of money can be thrown at this problem with a variety of results. Generally, the more money put into the building exterior wall, the better the design will provide for zero loss of warm or cool air inside the home. There are a number of net zero energy home design books that can guide people for their geographic area and budget.

An important part of the design is to decide how the windows and doors will handled since they are a big source for the transfer of heat and cold in and out of the home. Not only is the design of the windows and doors important, the plans must consider what side of the home is best, based primarily on sun exposure. Proper overhang is important as well. In the summer, it's best not to have the sun on the windows at all. In fact, if you can keep the sun off the walls of the home altogether, that would be ideal.

Appliances are sometimes not considered in traditional home plans, but they are very important in a net zero energy building. It pays to do plenty of research on the subject. The idea is to reduce demand for energy. In many places, like Seattle, people are already on board with low energy appliances due to the high cost on their power bills.

There are many things to consider when building a net zero home. In Seattle, there are some great resources. Seattle happens to be the home of a very highly regarded "green" web site which covers all aspects of green living, including building green homes

POST COMMENT

Sms Text Message Marketing: The New Advertising Strategy Top 5 New Year Gifts To Send To India Celebrate The New Year By Hiring A Limo For 2011 List Building Techniques – How Do I Attract New Subscribers to My List? General And Family Dentist In Longmont Announces The Launch Of New Website For Patient Satisfaction HTC Desire Deals – With the New and Fast Technology Top Destinations For New Year Eve Extreme Machinery Launches New Aftermarket Parts Department Trendy New Designer Jeans is Fast Selling this Christmas Home heating oil for a lot less even in New York How To Solve The Biggest Problem In New Network Marketing Some Tips On Cheap New Zealand Flight Tickets And Destinations Top Five Broadway Shows New Liked By Viewers