A net zero home is a home that generates as much energy as it consumes. The NET of energy in and out is ‘zero’. The trick to building a net zero home is on the consumption side. The more efficient you can make the home the less fancy energy generating equipment (solar panels, windmills etc) you need to get to zero.
Insulation manufacturer Owens Corning (think the pink panther guy) has partnered with the Federal Government and five major Canadian home builders to build 25 Net Zero homes within the subdivision communities of the partner builders. Owens Corning has set a target cost for the additional “net zero” features at $80,000 over and above the regular cost of the home. Imagine a home with no utility bill. Nice.
