Author: Joe Emerson, Founder, The Zero Energy Project
July 22, 2020
Grow Your Business: Join the National Marketing Campaign for Zero
A national marketing campaign to build awareness of zero energy homes is coming soon from Team Zero. Everyone in the zero energy value chain will see more demand and higher sales from this collaborative generic marketing effort. Check it out and join the movement.
Read ArticleJuly 19, 2020
Are Solar Roofs Ready To Go Mainstream?
On new and retrofitted roofs, you can now use aesthetically pleasing solar shingles to keep the weather out and generate renewable energy. They’re more cost-effective than you may think. We compare costs with other roof options and review pros and cons to help you decide if they are right for you.
Read ArticleJune 12, 2020
Does Your Insulation Have Low Embodied Carbon?
Zero energy homes need thick layers of insulation, but some materials have serious climate impacts. Identify the key factors that affect the carbon footprint of insulation materials and some good choices for future projects.
Read ArticleMay 20, 2020
Offset Embodied Carbon With Solar Panels
Thoughtful zero energy design and material selection is only the first step to reducing the climate impact of a new building to zero. In the end, the building needs to generate enough positive energy on site to compensate for both its embodied carbon and its operational energy.
Read ArticleMay 20, 2020
Four Steps to Zero Carbon Buildings
New homes and buildings will stand for decades, if not centuries. The carbon emissions embodied in the building materials and resulting from the manufacturing and construction processes must be factored into their overall carbon footprints. These four steps will get us started on the path to zero carbon.
Read ArticleApril 13, 2020
A Zero Carbon Building Primer
Zero energy buildings are here and growing in the market. Now it’s time to set our sights on the next step in the evolution of building design and construction: zero carbon.
Read ArticleJanuary 18, 2020
Electric Vehicles, Positive Energy Buildings, and Alternative Transportation
The rapid adoption of electric vehicles is an essential step in the transition to a post-carbon society. There will be challenges to making this transition to an all electric transportation system based on renewable energy. Luckily, positive energy buildings combined with modern transportation innovations may well be up to the task.
Read ArticleNovember 18, 2019
2020: The Year to Go Zero
Time has run out. A climate crisis is upon us. Only immediate and dramatic action can blunt the catastrophic consequences of a “hot house earth” scenario. There are a variety of actions that almost that every citizen of Planet Earth can take. Together we can make a real difference!
Read ArticleSeptember 5, 2019
Low Income Homeowners Benefit Most From Zero Energy Homes
There is a housing affordability crisis across the United States. Here are eight ways that zero energy helps make homes affordable for those that need it most.
Read ArticleMay 17, 2019
The Green New Deal: Is it Just As Dangerous as Climate Denial?
The proposal from progressive representatives in Congress is big on aspiration and short on detail. What is the Green New Deal and does it offer a realistic strategy for climate action?
Read ArticleApril 8, 2019
How To Improve Indoor Air Quality in Zero Energy Renovations
When addressing indoor air quality, let’s not leave out existing homes and buildings. The same principles that make new zero energy buildings more healthy can also be applied to existing homes, whether during minor upgrades or major renovations. The return is in improved health and comfort. This is the final installment of our three-part series on indoor air quality and health.
Read ArticleApril 8, 2019
Zero Energy Buildings are Much Healthier Than Conventional Homes
As described in Part One, indoor air can be unhealthy. When you invest in zero energy, you’ll also get something even more important than money in return. Zero energy buildings are also healthier. Here in Part Two of this three-part series, you can read about all the components of zero energy buildings that make this invaluable benefit possible.
Read Article