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FAQ
Is net zero possible in my cold/hot/cloudy location?
Yes. We build net-zero houses in the Pacifc Northwest, which is cloudy and yields 3.5 hours of sunshine per day on average. With this level of cloudiness, we spec between 3.1 watts of solar per square foot (for a 2,500-square-foot house) to 4.8 watts per square foot (for a 1,000-square-foot house) to achieve net zero.
Does a net-zero house have batteries?
Not necessarily. A net-zero house does not need batteries because the house is tied to the electricity grid. Because net-zero houses are often all electric, a battery is a good idea if your area has power outages. You can also keep a generator for these eventualities.
Does a net-zero home cost more to build?
Great Question! The pay back on solar, extra insulation, air sealing, better windows, and heat pumps averages between 10-15 years. When you amortize the cost over a 30-year mortgage, your monthly payment plus energy bills is actually less than if you built a conventional home. If you add in an electric car or two, the monthly savings can be substantial. A typical Powerhouse Designs home can have a similar mortgage to other homes in the neighborhood, yet have an electricity bill of $7.49 per month which includes electric car charging. Not having to buy gas for as long as you live in the home contributes even further to the cost savings.
Why isn’t every home net zero?
We think that the main reason is that most people don’t even know that it is possible. We use SIPs, triple pane windows, and heat pumps for heating, cooling and hot water. That gets our homes down to about 30% of the energy cost of a typical new home. We use solar panels on the roof to produce that power and even charge electric cars.
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