Today you might hear many people talk about the words net zero or having a net zero home. There could be some confusion about what it means to have a net zero home and how to change your traditional home into a net zero energy home.
A net zero home is a home that will make as much energy as it needs throughout the year. In other words, the home will generate power and will not need any power from the utility company. If you are looking to build a new home or convert your traditional home to a net zero energy home, there are things you can do to make that change.
One way to get a net zero home is to buy a net zero home from a reputable modular home company that makes net zero homes.
Table of Contents
- What Does A Net Zero Home Mean?
- Building A New Home That Is Net Zero
- Converting Your Traditional Home To A Net Zero Home
- Modular Homes And Net Zero Homes
- Related Questions
What Does A Net Zero Home Mean?
Anyone looking at the housing market has probably been hearing new words of net zero. Many people are speaking about this word, but there is some confusion about what it means for homeowners, particularly if you already have a home.
A net zero home is a home that will create as much electricity as you will consume over the entire year. In other words, you do not depend on the electrical utility company to supply you with energy.
A net zero home is not just about you putting a few solar roof panels on your roof. But a net zero home house has to do with the home itself because it saves energy.
Building A New Home That Is Net Zero
Building a new net-zero home is more accessible than trying to convert a traditional home to net zero. This is because you can start at the beginning to understand what you need to do in the design process to ensure that the house is net zero.
Here are a few things you can look at when you build a new home to net zero standards:
- Direction Of The Sun – You should look at the direction the sun is coming from and when the sun is the strongest on your property. Whatever side the sun is most potent is where you want to put your solar panel so that they can receive the sun and the most energy efficiency.
- Triple Glazed Windows – Triple Glazed windows help you to be able to keep the energy inside the home.
- Efficient Insulation – You will want to have superior insulation that is super efficient.
- A Sealed Home – In a net zero home, you want a completely sealed home with no cracks. This will ensure the energy is used the most efficiently.
- Low-Energy HVAC, Appliances, And Fixtures – As the goal of a net zero home is to make more electricity than you consume, you must have a low-energy HVAC system, energy-saving appliances, and fixtures.
- Powerwall System – You will also need an adequate power wall system that will be able to store your solar energy.
As you can see from this list, making a home net zero is not just buying a few solar panels and putting them on the roof.
Listen To Our Podcast About What Is Net Zero Home? by clicking here.
Converting Your Traditional Home To A Net Zero Home
Many people already live in a home and do not want to leave it but would like to convert it to a net zero energy home.
Here are some things that you also need to look for in a net-zero-energy home:
- Insulation – The most significant source of energy consumption is when a home is not adequately insulated for heating or cooling systems. This makes the house less efficient because of the outdated insulation methods used in the home building. One of the first areas you need to consider for a net zero home is your insulation.
- Solar Panels – Solar panels are the cleanest and the most abundant renewable energy available. Homeowners can put solar panels on the roof to reduce their reliance on the utility company. To have a net zero home, you need to generate as much energy as possible for your daily, monthly, and yearly needs.
- HVAC System – Most traditional homes need to upgrade their HVAC system that controls their home’s heating and cooling. You need to use the most energy-efficient compressors, fans, pumps, and advanced controls to achieve zero energy consumption.
- Upgrade Appliances – You will need to upgrade your appliances for net zero homes. Older appliances, including a furnace or air conditioner, can affect your energy consumption.
- Upgrade Windows – Another area you will probably need to upgrade is your windows. Windows are also an area where cold or hot air will get in and cause your home to be less efficient.
- Seal Up Home – A home can have areas with a draft or outside air. Your home should be sealed up entirely for it to be the most efficient possible and net zero.
As you can see from this list, it can be challenging and quite expensive for you to take a traditional home and ensure that the house is net zero. A lot of this will depend upon the condition of your present home.
Modular Homes And Net Zero Homes
Modular homes are one of the more exciting places for new home construction. Many companies specialize in producing modular homes with a net zero energy focus.
Many of the same homes have features where you can be entirely off the grid as far as your water and other home systems go. The net-zero homes already have systems where water is produced from the moisture in the air, or the water you use is also recycled through the home.
We find many net-zero systems module homes inspiring; we believe this will continue to become an essential trend as net-zero energy and off-the-grid living as water shortages in some parts of the United States become more pronounced.
Here are some reasons why we feel the Modular Home manufacturers is a vital solution for your building a net zero home:
- Technology In Place – These modular home companies already have the technology to address many of the issues you will need to address when building a new home or re-fitting a traditional home to be net zero.
- Tight Constructions – As 90% of most of these homes are built offsite, the modules home companies are usually tightly constructed homes made to be high energy and net zero efficient.
- Using Newest Net Zero Technology – Many net-zero homes also use the latest net-zero technology. You do not need to worry about this technology; they already have the technology in place. Solar panels will be on the roof; the battery will be able to store all your energy, the HVAC, the windows – everything will be up to the standard needed for a net zero home.
- Lower Cost – A modular home will often be much lower than if you try to convert a traditional home to NetZero or build the house yourself. This is because of the way that the modular home companies are set up with their products so they can pass the savings onto you.
We love the idea of a net zero for a home. But we also understand that this has many challenges, especially if you already own your home or are starting to build a new home. But we believe that one of the easiest ways for you to have a fully net zero home is by considering a modular home building by a company specializing in net zero-ready homes.
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Related Questions
Zenni Home – Our Thoughts And Review
Zenni Homes takes a unique approach when compared to other modular building companies. Every Zenni Home comes with robotics furniture to change your space configuration for your home at the touch of a button. They also come with all kinds of Smart Home features.
By clicking here, you can read more about Zenni Home – Our Thoughts And Review.
Boxabl Modular Housing, Our Thoughts
Boxabl is a small home that will unfold on a site in just an hour or so. The house is a new concept for the modular housing market. Due to Boxabl’s cost, many people feel it can help solve some affordable housing issues.
By clicking here, you can read more about Boxabl Modular Housing, Our Thoughts.
