What is Net Zero Energy?
The goal of the California Public Utility Commission is at least 1/2 of all new homes in California to be Net Zero Energy by 2016. Net Zero Energy is the simple concept of your home producing the same or more energy than you consume on an annual basis. Net Zero Energy is accomplished with right combination of very efficient mechanical, lighting, building materials and appliance choices for a specific building matched with a properly sized solar electric system to achieve an annual a Net Zero Energy equilibrium. Due to California and Federal incentives for solar electric and solar hot water and some new super efficient electric mechanical equipment, many new homes can become NZE certified in a very cost effective, cash positive manner without changing the style of your home or your lifestyle within it.

Types of Net Zero Energy Homes
Most new Net Zero Energy homes will be all electric. However, many people choose to use natural gas for cooking, fireplace log lighting or even space and domestic hot water space heating. In this case we upsize the solar electric system to account for the gas usage on a BTU for BTU basis. With California ’s new feed in tariff program that pays home owners for producing excess energy, the gas approach can be cost effective.

How Much Solar Electric Required?
While your Architect may be enthusiastic about your new home being Net Zero Energy, they still want it to look great. Net Zero Energy Certified members understand the relationship between insulation levels, glass performance, HVAC specifications, lighting design, appliance selection and area needed for solar panels. The more efficient the house, the smaller the area required for solar energy production. Very early in the NZE Certified process your architect will need to know how many square feet of solar panels will be required for the project and very likely your architect will have creative ideas of how to accommodate the solar panels without compromising the design. The panels can be roof, ground or trellis mounted, need to face south and not in the shade between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm on December 21. Here are some recent NZE Certified projects and how many square feet of solar electric was required. Keep in mind that NZE certified has developed a much more complete ratio matrix of home square footage/ solar electric panel square footage which will be employed when you submit a project for a free appraisal.