SWEEP - Building Efficiency - Zero Energy Homes

Zero Energy Homes

Zero Energy homes offer significant energy and environmental benefits to the Southwest

Constructing large numbers of high performance and net-zero energy homes in the southwest could save 2.7 billion kWh by 2020—enough power to serve 25,000 households annually for ten years––and reduce peak electricity demand by 1,400 megawatts.

Emissions of carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming – would be cumulatively reduced by 2.4 million tons by 2020, and household energy bills would be reduced by $500 million.

Source: SWEEP High Performance Homes report, p. ES-3.

SWEEP Zero Energy Home Workshops for Homebuilders

A series of one-day training workshops on high performance homes, including zero energy homes, were held in 2008 for Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Albuquerque. The workshops provided homebuilders, architects, real estate professionals, local government officials and others interested in improving home energy performance with an overview of the design, features, incremental costs and performance of high performance homes. [Learn More]

Increasing the energy efficiency of new homes offers a cost-effective way to help homeowners save money and lower their energy use, while reducing the energy and environmental impacts of new homes. Zero Energy Homes, which are designed to produce as much energy as they consume, can currently be built cost-effectively while achieving energy savings of up to 50% through energy efficiency measures, and up to 65% savings by incorporating on-site renewable energy systems, such as solar PV and solar thermal systems. Zero energy homes can also reduce or nearly eliminate peak electricity demand, which is growing rapidly in many Southwest states.

SWEEP is working in partnership with the DOE Building America program to promote the adoption of programs and policies in the Southwest that support cutting edge residential energy efficiency technologies, including zero energy homes that reduce conventional energy consumption by 50% or more relative to standard new homes built to energy code.

This section provides information on the design features and performance of zero energy homes, including project examples and brief descriptions of completed zero energy home projects. Information is also provided on utility programs and incentives in the Southwest, and programs and technical assistance resources available to homebuilders.

Features of Zero Energy Homes
This section summarizes the energy efficiency and renewable energy features, savings potential and cost effectiveness of zero energy homes.

High Performance Home Projects
Describes completed projects in the Southwest and beyond that are built to be at least 50% above code or to have zero net energy use on an annual basis. Includes brief descriptions of home design features, energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, and field monitoring data, where available.

Utility Programs and Incentives for Zero-Energy Homes
Learn about federal, state and local financial incentives, as well as utility rebates and programs for homebuilders interested in building zero energy homes and communities in the Southwest.