What Is a Net Zero Energy Home (and How to Build One)

A net-zero energy home reduces its reliance on the electricity grid, limiting consumption of fossil fuels and reducing the associated emissions. A net-zero home makes the most of renewable resources, either through solar panels or by clever design.

While a net-zero energy home may cost more at the outset, it’s an investment in the future. Designing the property to take advantage of natural heating and cooling means you run your air conditioning less. Installing energy-efficient appliances reduces your power consumption. And installing solar panels on the home allows you to take advantage of solar power, all working to untether your home from electricity costs over time.

As well as long-term savings, the materials and processes used to construct a net-zero energy home are more sustainable, too. There’s less waste in the construction process, and the materials are more robust, meaning cheaper upkeep and a longer overall lifespan.

One of the key tenets in designing a net-zero energy home is to minimise overall energy demand and use. This can be achieved in a few ways.

• Orientation is a big one. Plan your home on a north-south axis, with main living spaces facing north, to ensure they get the most sun to warm them during the day.
• Utilise high-quality insulation in your home’s thermal envelope to reduce the amount of energy you need to heat, cool, and maintain a comfortable temperature.
• Choosing adequate shading that blocks the harsh summer sun, while letting in the lower winter sun, can help create a more comfortable indoor climate.
• Windows are often the highest area of heat gain and loss. So, when looking at windows, opt for double glazing. This utilises a layer of insulation between two panes of glass, reducing the amount of heat entering or leaving the home.
• Draught-proofing your home ensures no air is lost from gaps between windows, through floorboards, in the ceilings, or anywhere pipes are installed in the walls.
• Installing LED lighting can help reduce your energy demand over the long term. They use significantly less power in operation, and last over three times as long as a typical fluorescent light.

Taken together, all these factors work to reduce the energy demand of your home.

Installing solar panels can be a game-changer for homeowners. Net-zero energy homes utilise a solar array that’s carefully calculated to meet or exceed the energy needs of running your home. There are two types of solar energy that can be used for a net-zero home: passive solar heating or active solar heating. 

There’s an initial upfront investment, of course, but you’ll start to see the savings add up each time you receive your power bill.

Another way to harness renewable energy is similar to what we discussed above: the orientation. Net-zero energy homes are oriented to make the best use of the prevailing winds and breezes. While this doesn’t generate energy, your home’s window and door positioning allows you to make the best use of natural wind to cool down your home.

If you don’t know how much energy you’re using, you won’t know where to reduce it. You need a system in place that allows you to track your energy consumption and make changes as needed.

Net-zero energy homes use a Home Energy Management System (HEMS), which is a combination of techniques, appliances, and software, to monitor your energy consumption.

The tools involved can range from devices to monitor electricity use from power points, to an integrated digital system that streamlines your entire energy consumption metrics through one central platform that you track through an app. Your builder can recommend the best HEMS for your situation.

It’s important to note that a net-zero energy home isn’t a cheap build. The planning, designs, materials, and construction costs will be more than a standard home.

Instead, think about balancing cost against long-term savings and associated benefits. While it may be more upfront, in the long run, you’ll see a significant energy cost reduction. You’ll enjoy a healthier, more comfortable home and peace of mind knowing you’re limiting your environmental impact.

Building a net-zero energy home requires careful consideration, and the size constraints of your block play a big part in what’s achievable. But with the right planning, your builder and architect can design a home that maximises the available space while comfortably accommodating the size and layout of your block.

And in fact, smaller footprints can actually work better for net-zero energy homes—being too small isn’t usually a concern.

Another big roadblock when planning a net-zero energy home is the local building codes and regulations. 

However, with the drive towards increased energy efficiency across the board, your local council may look more favourably on a home that’s built on these principles. It’s typically functionality that plays a part here, and you’ll generally need to design your home in line with local height and heritage legislation of your area.