With cost-effective design and construction, the energy saving features and solar collectors for a zero energy home may add 5 to 10% over the cost of a similar-sized home built to code after incentives. However, the average monthly energy savings on the zero home will be significantly greater than the added monthly mortgage payment. As a result, the total cost of ownership of a cost effective zero energy home will be less than that of a comparable home built to code, creating positive cash flow the very first month of ownership.