The path to net zero leads to net savings | Clean Energy Economy for the Region

By Heidi McCullough

You might have seen or heard the term “net zero,” usually in connection with buildings. Maybe you wondered what it means, or how novel these buildings are.

A basic definition of a net-zero building is one that is highly energy-efficient, uses no fossil fuels, and has an on-site renewable energy system (typically rooftop solar) that generates as much energy as it uses on an annual basis. We say “net” because the building doesn’t need to produce as much energy as it uses every day, so long as it produces a surplus at other times. People build and retrofit buildings to be net zero for a variety of reasons. These buildings are often more comfortable, have lower energy costs, and have lower carbon footprints.

Many buildings can be retrofitted to be net zero. The conversion need not be done all at once, and might be best accomplished through a series of smaller projects carried out over years or even decades, as your budget allows. In my work as a buildings specialist for Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER), one of my goals is to help people understand the value of taking any step along the path to net zero. You don’t need to make it all the way to zero to enjoy a more comfortable home that’s more affordable to operate and has a lower carbon footprint.

Although each building is unique, there is a typical order of operations in the path to net zero. The first is to ensure the building uses as little energy as possible so as to minimize the amount of energy it has to generate to reach net zero.

Assuming the heating system is functional, I generally suggest that homeowners start by improving their insulation and reducing air leakage. Most buildings in our region need more attic insulation, and many have crawl spaces designed to outdated standards. These are relatively easy things to fix. Next, appliances: upgrading to a more efficient dishwasher, fridge, washing machine and dryer may cost more up front, but these will pay for themselves over time in energy and water savings. Finally, heating and water heating equipment should be replaced at the end of its life or when it’s posing a health or safety risk.

As an example, I converted my previous home at a time when I was single and living on a modest salary, so I had to be frugal; fortunately my house was small and simple to upgrade. I started by air sealing and insulating the basement myself. The project was done in a day and made an immediate improvement in the comfort of my home. Next, I insulated some small areas around my vaulted ceiling.

Having addressed my primary air sealing and insulation opportunities, my mechanical systems were next. I replaced the conventional water heater with an electric heat pump water heater, and purchased a heat pump heating and cooling system that was far more efficient than the hodgepodge of inefficient fuel-burning heaters that had come with the house. The final step was the purchase of a solar array that was sized to cover my remaining energy usage.

Each of these projects was eligible for a rebate or tax credit, and I utilized a “green loan” to pay for the heat pump and solar at a very low interest rate. The payments on the loan were $28 a month more than the utility bills that I no longer had, so in effect I got new mechanicals and my very own home power plant for very little out of pocket – all of which increased the value of my property.

While that house was in another state, similar rebates and tax credits are available in Colorado, and you can take advantage of free energy coaching and consultation through Garfield Clean Energy. What’s more, if your household earns less than 150% of the Area Median Income for Garfield County – that’s $153,000 for a family of four – you can get $2,000-4,000 worth of work done for free through the ReEnergize Garfield County program. The program is open to renters and as well as homeowners, so anyone who is interested should apply.

Right now, my partner and I are in the process of replacing the furnace and air conditioning in our 1983 ranch house west of Glenwood with a single cold-climate heat pump system that will provide cooling as well as heating. The new system will keep our home more comfortable and will have a much lower carbon footprint than our current system. It will also use electricity rather than fossil fuels, ensuring more stable and predictable energy costs moving forward. I’ll be utilizing a rebate from Xcel Energy as well as state and federal tax credits to help me pay for it. In another year or so, if our finances allow, we might take the next step toward net zero and utilize the federal tax credit to help us pay for a solar array.

Building a new building to the net zero standard is easier to do than retrofitting an existing one, and on average it costs only 8% more than a conventional home built to current code, according to the US Department of Energy. A local example is our Habitat for Humanity chapter, which is currently completing a net-zero affordable housing complex in Rifle and is planning another in Glenwood.

These are no longer the buildings of the future. Buildings that use less energy and are more comfortable and more durable are being built every day, and the resources and technology to bring older buildings into the 21st century are more readily available than ever.

This column was originally published in the July 22, 2014 edition of the Glenwood Springs Post Independent.