Energy Efficient Homes
September 11, 2020
Keep Zero Energy Construction Simple
Ted L. Clifton of Zero Energy Plans has been designing and building zero energy homes using structural insulated panels (SIPs) for many years. He shares his thoughts about affordability, building codes, and electrification in this interview.
Read ArticleSeptember 11, 2020
Zero Fulfills Human Needs at All Levels
A good product meets real human needs. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs provides a powerful framework for converting those needs into effective messaging to homebuyers. To sell more zero energy homes, sellers need to link the needs of home buyers with the many tangible benefits of zero energy homes.
Read ArticleAugust 15, 2020
Fast-tracking Building Energy Retrofits
At current rates, most offices and homes will not be retrofitted for decades or even centuries to acceptable levels of energy efficiency. One approach is mandatory building performance standards—requiring existing buildings to meet a performance benchmark (energy or carbon intensity, performance rating, etc.), with owners having multiple years to bring buildings into compliance.
Read ArticleAugust 14, 2020
Selling the Value of Zero
There is a special connection between homes and homebuyers. Yet many new homes are marketed like commodities. To effectively sell zero energy homes, it’s necessary to create a direct link between buyer needs and these homes’ intrinsic values.
Read ArticleAugust 8, 2020
Hey Boomer! Pay Your Carbon Debt!
Baby boomers have enjoyed unprecedented financial opportunity, convenience, and economic security— benefits built largely from extraction and burning of fossil fuels. The resulting impact on Earth’s climate has created the Baby Boomer carbon debt. It’s time for them to take action to preserve the climate for future generations, but there’s not much time.
Read ArticleJuly 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 21, 2020
Six Cities Forge Ahead with Home Energy Disclosures – How Your City Can Join Them
Leading U.S. cities are filling a crucial information gap in the residential real estate market by requiring home energy disclosures for potential homebuyers: a much needed transparency measure and consumer protection practice. This process provides buyers with an energy efficiency rating on every property listed for sale. An online resource and a support network are available for local governments that want to adopt similar energy disclosure measures.
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 ArticleJune 11, 2020
Energy-Efficient Windows Help Close Holes in Your Envelope
Seven times more heat can escape through a window than a wall. There are more choices than ever to balance energy performance with the other important benefits of windows. Choosing windows wisely will help close the gap.
Read ArticleJune 8, 2020
The Smog in Your Kitchen – What the Experts Say
Experts Say Cooking with gas is hazardous to health, according to research that spans the last several decades. A recent study puts the issue in stark terms. Air inside homes can be more unhealthy than outdoor pollution even during a wild fire that fills the air with smoke.
Read ArticleJune 8, 2020
The Many Benefits of All-Electric Design
Decades of advertising tell us that gas is cheap. Even without factoring in the cost of climate change, natural gas is no longer the least expensive choice for residential use. It’s a new era of cost-effective, low carbon, all-electric homes.
Read Article