March 17, 2019

Act on Solar Now!

The amount of Renewable Energy Tax Credit for residential and commercial buildings will soon begin a gradual decline. If you’re thinking about solar, NOW is the time to act!

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March 15, 2019

Zero Energy Homes: Tunneling Through the Electrification Cost Barrier in Cold Climates

The move away from fossil fuels requires that buildings and vehicles be powered by electricity from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, etc. All-electric homes in cold climates present a challenge for comfort and cost, but those barriers have fallen to recent developments in design and technology - making all-electric homes desirable even in cold climates.

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February 15, 2019

My Zero Energy Pool is a Great Investment!

Swimming pools are great fun, but they have high running costs and a high carbon footprint. David Green cut both. Now his pool running cost is zero and so is its carbon footprint.

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January 20, 2019

Zero Energy Proves Profitable in Vacation Rental

For most people, developing a vacation rental would be about profit. For these two Washington state couples, it was about much more. Oh, and the profit is there too.

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January 16, 2019

Mandalay Homes: Zero Energy Grid-Integrated Neighborhoods that Solve the “Duck Curve”

To stay competitive, a production builder must find a good balance between cost, price, and profit. Here’s the story of one builder who has successfully added high-performance, clean energy features to their standard offering. More importantly this builder has developed an elegant solution to the challenge of solar-powered homes producing energy when it is not needed by the grid.

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November 14, 2018

Zero-Energy Homes Are Ready for Mainstream Markets

A new study shows that the cost of zero energy homes is very close to that of homes built to code. Best of all, costs are dropping and the trend is expected to continue.

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October 4, 2018

Don’t Buy a New Home that Sucks!

The only reason that most people feel that their new home is okay is that their old home was even worse.

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July 20, 2018

Passive House Busts High Cost Myth

The first certified Passive House in Scranton, Pennsylvania, offers more than super energy efficiency. It demonstrates that high-performance homes can be built for the same price as code-built homes.

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July 12, 2018

HVAC Design Strategies for High-Performance Homes

One payoff of a super insulated building envelope is a smaller heating and cooling system. Achieving the payoff requires HVAC contractors to plan and implement the project a bit differently than a typical one.

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June 17, 2018

Imery Homes – A Systematic Approach to Zero Energy Home Construction

Making zero energy homes affordable requires a systematic approach that includes solid building science and thoughtful client relations. Learn more about how Imery Group has built a successful business in Georgia.

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May 23, 2018

The Zero Net Energy Primer: A Guide to the Future of Home Design

Designers and builders may need to make adjustments in their homes when California implements its upcoming zero energy building code for homes. Those adjustments are spelled out and illustrated in this new booklet. It’s a great guide for zero energy home design no matter where you live.

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February 21, 2018

Decarbonizing Your Retirement as You “Age in Place”

The Baby Boomer generation has lived a lifestyle powered by fossil fuels. As they transition into retirement, they are uniquely positioned to lead the way to clean energy.

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