I've had lots of clients who wanted to go net zero/passivhaus etc.
they all compromised when confronted with the upfront costs.
a lot depends on costs of upgrades
& location to build.

if all are in your favor, go for it!
best of luck.

Not net zero, but we are PHIUS certified.

what is PHIUS certified? I lost track after all
the 'greenwashing' going on.

Passive House Institue US

Is your house already built dekeoboe, or are you in process? I'm very interested in passive house projects so would be interested to hear more about your project or your experience building to the standard.

It is already built. It was an interesting experience, our first home build, my husband worked along side the sub-contractors everyday, but things could have been done better and we would not recommend our contractor.

The biggest thing I found out about building a net zero or even just a green house is cost. Where I live the bank appraisal of a green house does not add any value compared to a standard built house. So, the solar panels or geo thermal unit has to be paid for in cash. Also unless natural gas prices drastically change the financial payback is most of the time non existent

I also found that when looking at different ways to make a home a net zero house can greatly depend on local rebates. Some areas have large tax breaks for solar installs or geo thermal heat pumps while other area do not. So, what was cost effective for a build in Maine may not be cost effective for myself in Wisconsin.

For our current build we paid extra for insulating and air sealing. Our house is also oriented for solar heat gains in the winter. Being oriented for solar heat gains in the winter also leads our house to be a prime candidate for a solar array in the future

What I also found is that building a green home is a way of life. 45 min shower even in a green home still uses a lot energy. When talking with others in my area with net zero or close to it, I found they lived a lifestyle that my family probably can't replicate. So, even though their houses are net zero if my family lived their it would not be.

You are right mrfrito- I should edit my post to say that we have two teenagers, so we probably will be net zero once they move out and stop taking 45 min showers and leaving lights on all the time. We haven't changed our lifestyle to be more energy efficient, it was just the way we built.

It did cost more to build, but with the federal tax rebate on the solar panels it was worth it. We had a small state rebate as well, but Maine doesn't do as much as they should. The little we got has since been cut out, and the governor is trying to cut solar as much as possible. Our mortgage is higher, but that amount stays the same unlike oil bills that fluctuate. We did fight with the bank on the appraisal, that was the most difficult part of the process when they wouldn't give us any more value on a net-zero house. Even the appraiser said there should be value but there weren't any comps so it didn't do anything.

Our home in the Chicago suburbs is Net Zero Energy Ready: www.kimchiandkraut.net

With enough solar, you can make most new homes Net Zero --- the question would be how meaningful this is (either in energy demand or overall carbon footprint).

If, however, you're adopting a 'conservation first' approach (like with Passive House), with ample amounts of insulation combined with meticulous air sealing in order to drastically reduce your overall energy demand, then for Zone 5 you're probably looking at roughly R40 walls, R60-80 for the roof/attic, and R20-30 for your foundation. This also assumes a Passive House level of airtightness.

https://kimchiandkraut.net/2016/09/11/wall-assembly-for-passive-house/

Any house, even the oldest and leakiest uninsulated one, can switch over to all LED lighting, Energy Star appliances, low flow plumbing fixtures, and a heat pump water heater, so, beyond the insulation and air sealing, you do run up against limits on what you can conserve in terms of energy demand.

Although we would need about 6,000 kWh of more solar production to be completely Net Zero, with our SREC's we're only paying about $200 a year for utilities --- HVAC, lights, DHW, plug-in loads. Arguably less than if we were exactly Net Zero, without SREC's, and still being charged to be hooked up to the local utility (roughly $30/month even with zero demand).

Apart from the added comfort associated with Passive House construction, it's nice to not have to worry about fluctuations in weather conditions or utility costs. Our house is comfortable year round, and with all the insulation and air sealing it's a very quiet house, largely disconnected from outdoor noises (including nearby train tracks).

https://kimchiandkraut.net/2020/07/24/passive-solar-design-for-passive-house/

There are definitely upfront costs associated with a Net Zero or Passive House build, but if it's going to be your long-term residence it may be worth the added effort and cost. These types of builds also tend to be more durable since they're able to better manage water (both bulk water and water vapor) than most conventional builds.

Much of the building science associated with Net Zero and PH is well established. Unfortunately, the biggest challenge will be finding someone competent to do the work, or investing the time to research and GC the build yourself. Either way, there are countless pitfalls that could undermine the outcome.

https://kimchiandkraut.net/2016/05/11/phius-review/

In addition, the construction industry is suffering from a significant labor shortage, not to mention low standards in terms of workmanship and professionalism. Whether you GC the project, or you hire someone else to do it for you, finding competent subcontractors is no easy task for anyone.

https://kimchiandkraut.net/2019/09/21/installing-charred-cedar-siding/