Net Zero Homes- The Sustainable Solution to Save Energy

When the pandemic hit, our lives took a 360° shift toward the “Change” we always needed in our lives. Nature has to pay a big price for the advancement of technology and human inventions and mostly because of humans’ old wastage habits. It is after the pandemic that the urgency of mitigating the impacts of climate change. Did you know the energy to build and operate our buildings is responsible for almost 40% of world carbon dioxide emissions in the last few years and it’s increasing ever since? How do we adapt to a sustainable lifestyle that saves energy?

The best solution to attain sustainability among the chaos to save energy is net-zero homes. If you are also on a hunt to attain a sustainable place to live then don’t wait any further because net-zero is your way to go now. They pave the way to a future world where residential building codes will incorporate zero construction standards.

In this article, we will share all-important and fundamental points about net-zero homes that you need to know and may give you an idea to modify your home to new efficient living as a whole.

What is Net-Zero Home?

In a nutshell, a net zero home produces the same amount of energy as it employed, so the net amount of energy it uses and purchases from the local hydro company becomes zero. It’s quite a new idea of the modern era which is getting popular because of the resilience and comfort it can provide to homeowners.

What Net-Zero Home Made off?

By keeping the consumption of energy as low as you can generate sufficient power to fulfill your energy needs. Yes! It is challenging, but not impossible:

• Compared to a conventional home, a net-zero home is designed in a way that needs low energy to commence with.
• They used passive heating, by taking advantage of the light and warmth of the sun.
• Net-Zero homes are made in uniquely airtight which are further protected and insulated with more layers to preserve energy in the winter, and in summer it keeps it out.
• The energy consumption of high edge devices such as HVAC systems, smart home devices, and other appliances reduces that aid to save energy.
• Homeowners become more mindful of how they use energy.

What makes a net-zero home the next-level pocket saver is the features of site energy production that are competent to generate as much energy as you need for your household.

Features of Net Zero Home

The following great feature of net-zero home make it the best choice to adopt a sustainable lifestyle in the advanced world

Passive Heat: Heat taken from the sun

Air-Source Heat Pumps: These pumps keep the house warm in winters by extracting heat and keep your house cool in summer by transferring heat outside.

Ground-source Heat Pump: By using the thermal mass of earth to take the heat out from your home to restrain your house cool or drive it into your home to warm it

Solar Panels: Solar panels are a great way to utilize renewable energy for house appliances such as lightning, cooling system, and hot water

Appliances: Certain appliances keep the usage of energy low such as an HVAC System.

Not all net-zero homes use the same method; they have their renewable source of energy. Some use solar photovoltaic panels that generate energy for heating and cooling systems and also for lighting and other appliances. Solar panels store the energy in their batteries to utilize later. It can also be sold to local hydro companies and even sent into the local electricity distribution system.

Living in a Net-Zero Home

A comfortable life experience is what you get when you choose to opt for a net-zero home. With the help of high-quality insulation windows, net-zero homes stay warm even on the coldest days.

In your net-zero home, you also get evenly distributed heat in the house. Sometimes it uses heat from appliances to keep the home occupant warm.

There is no chance of drafts as the net-zero home is tested before for any air leaks to confirm that no air from outside disturbs indoor temperature. Additionally, they have energy recovery ventilators to change (preheat or cool) the incoming temperature or air.

Can Retrofit of Net Zero Possible in an Exciting home?

Yes! It is possible, net-zero sustainability solution is not exclusive to new buildings and homes. However, it does take careful changes and renovations to approach conventional homes. To make it happen, there is the same principle for renovated homes as it is for new builds: acquainting windows to function with the sun, modifying existing insulation levels to exceed the standard of codes, installation of energy-producing technology, and redesigning of the HVAC system of the building.

What is Net-Zero Ready?

In simpler terms, net-zero ready is a net-zero house but without generation, which you can of course upgrade to fully net-zero by installing renewable energy sources. Still, the home is more efficient than the standard buildings.

There is a variety available in energy performance standards to pick and choose whamakeske your home more efficient in energy savings. These standards are driven by comparison to building codes, and without a doubt, the energy performance of a net-zero home is 100% better than homes built to code. The percentages are as follows:

Net Zero (100%)

Net Zero Ready (+80%)

R-2000 (+50%)

Energy Star (+20%)

Are Net-Zero Homes Off the Grid Now?

Well! net-zero homes still need to connect to the electricity grid in case of emergency. Household energy changes throughout the year and every day. If homes are connected to the grid it makes it easier to tap into local hydro energy in case issues arriving in the solar system, which needs repairing, or in case of such a similar crisis.