Build Net Zero

A zero energy home or building is crafted to high performance standards; zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions annually are the goal. A zero energy home uses no more energy than is provided by on-site renewable energy resources.

The California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) strategic plan calls for new net zero energy home construction by 2020.

Architecture 2030 issued the 2030 Challenge, a global initiative stating that all new buildings and major renovations should reduce their fossil-fuel green house gas-emitting consumption in half by 2010. This program also lobbies for all new buildings to be "carbon neutral" by 2030.

At Harding Construction & Sustainable Solutions, we feel we don't need to wait until 2020 or 2030 for new and existing homes to be built to zero energy standards. All homes, new and old, can be built or remodeled to use resources more efficiently and reduce a building's negative impact on the environment.

All zero energy homes are built with a whole-house performance approach, including state-of-the-art energy-efficient features and a passive cooling and passive solar design. By designing a home to work with nature instead of against it, you can benefit from zero energy bills, better day-lighting, natural ventilation and greater indoor comfort. Features of a zero energy home may include:

• High-efficiency heating and cooling equipment.
• High performing insulation.
• High-efficiency windows.
• Water conservation fixtures.
• Skylights or solartubes.
• A lighting package, including fluorescent fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, LED bulbs and fixtures and motion sensors on exterior lighting.
• Energy Star efficient appliances.
• Exterior landscaping for seasonal shading.
• Photovoltaic array and solar thermal panels.
• An air-sealing package to minimize air infiltration.