Net Zero Energy Homes just around the corner?
In the past year consumers saw what affect rising energy costs could have on their wallets. This “energy shock” made many families re-think their thoughts on green and sustainable projects for the home as saving the planet while making one’s home more energy efficient moved several notches up on the ladder of priorities for many of us.
Builders in many regions of the country are responding to the new green demands of consumers though there is a limit, or shall we say, a ceiling to just how much consumers will spend to make their home more stingy with energy use. Some builders are marketing developments billed as “net zero” and “near net zero” developments which are designed to use only about as much power from the public grid as they can save or produce on their own.
To accomplish the zero energy use milestone a building needs to produce it’s own power – normally though solar or wind. Solar panels have traditionally been prohibitively expensive for those looking for a reasonable timeframe for a return on their investment. But as green building becomes more mainstream the cost of solar panels has dropped somewhat as the technology is refined. These lower costs paired with increase in the frequency and amounts of rebates and tax incentives are driving more and more demand for green building projects.
For those interested in learning more about green building by observing projects now in progress, look at the duplex homes development in Greenfield, Mass where Rural Development, Inc. is building 20 new duplex homes that use almost no net energy. Closer to home for us here in Arizona, builder Pepper Vine homes is incorporating green techniques in to its senior housing communities so that it reduces energy use by more than 50%.
Several of these projects are in progress around the country and it is interesting to see the approaches each builder is taking and applying to their view on how to build green.
For our readers and customers who might be planning a green remodel in their home, consider our Bamboo Subway Tile for any interior space that is not subject to continuous exposure to moisture. This material is as beautiful on the wall as the Bamboo Flooring is on the floor. Give us a call if you have any questions about our Bamboo tile or any one of the tiles in our online tile showroom.
