You may have seen “net zero” homes popping up around the globe leaving you wondering “what exactly is net zero and what does it do for me?” There’s a worldwide push for sustainability and since buildings are one of the largest consumers of fossil-fuel derived energy, net zero technology is taking center stage and is expected to revolutionize the way buildings are powered in the future. S2A Modular is here to provide an easy-to-digest, simple explanation of what exactly it means to have a net zero or zero-energy home.
What is Net Zero?
As defined by the U.S. Department of Energy, a zero-energy building (ZEB) produces enough renewable energy to meet its own annual energy consumption requirements, thereby reducing the use of non-renewable energy in the building sector.
Sounds great, what does that really mean?
A zero-energy building refers to a building with zero net energy consumption, or in more simple terms, it generates through solar, wind or other means an equal or greater amount of energy than it uses to run all electrical components of the building By combining renewable energy (such as the energy created by solar panels) and the building’s built-in energy efficiency to consume only as much energy as is produced onsite, the building’s total energy consumption equals out to net zero and the elimination of an electric bill.
What does this mean for me?
Well, if your home is electrically self-sustaining, like one of S2A Modular’s #GreenLuxHomes, this allows you the opportunity to save thousands annually on electric bills – net zero equals no electric bills. However, most zero-energy buildings are still connected to the grid for the few instances when the building’s renewable energy generation cannot accommodate the needed amount. Thanks to this, if your home generates more energy than is needed, you can actually contribute that surplus energy back to the grid. This means energy companies would be paying you for your energy contribution.
What does this mean for the environment?
Amidst growing concerns on increasing energy prices, energy independence and climate change, statistics show that buildings are the primary culprit of energy consumption in the U.S. By shifting buildings to energy-efficient methods, there’s a great opportunity to significantly reduce energy usage just in the building sector and decrease dependence on fossil-fuel-derived energy.
Is this too good to be true? Sum it up for me.
We hear ya! This sounds all too good to be true, but the reality is net zero is far more achievable than you may think. Zero-energy buildings are popping up globally, with many commercial and residential property developers getting on board. By creating electrically self-sustaining buildings that can achieve net zero, both large corporations and homeowners can save money, benefit from efficiencies and make a huge impact in creating a more sustainable world. In fact, many state and local governments are even shifting toward zero energy building targets.
If you’re looking to learn more about having a zero-energy home, you can contact our S2A Modular energy experts.