Solar panels to power your life, to power your garden (well, the lights in your walk-way). -San Jose, CA 2016. Solar Edge DC Optimizers. Solar Edge Inverter. Photo by Earth Electric.

A gorgeous day in San Jose, CA. With the strong sunlight at this time of year, solar panels make more electricity than in the winter. -San Jose, CA 2016. Solar Edge DC Optimizers. Solar Edge Inverter. Photo by Earth Electric.

These Suniva 260 watt black solar panels are part of a 3 array system that will provide electricity for a Prius EV and a Tesla EV. By taking advantage of SCE EV rate the homeowners can charge their vehicles during the super off peak rate for 9 cents per KwH between the hours of 12:00 am. and 6:00 am. Thru net metering the homeowners will sell the excess energy generated to SCE. All Design and Installation Performed by Howe Custom Home Builders.

Dale of Clearlake, CA is another happy homeowner who has gone solar with national solar installer Green Solar Technologies. His 5.8 kW SolarWorld system was designed by the GST engineer team to perfectly match his annual electricity requirements. GST took care of the entire solar process, answering his questions and handling the system design, financing applications, permitting, and solar panel installation. Dale’s home was a perfect candidate for solar because he had no trees or buildings obstructing the path of sun to his roof. He now has permission to operate and is generating his own electricity to power his home. Green Solar Technologies is proud to welcome Dale into the green energy movement. His 20 panel PV system is in full working order and is protected by a 25 year warranty.

Wow! Five brand-new solar arrays on one home. -San Jose, CA 2016. Solar Edge DC Optimizers. Solar Edge Inverter. Photo by Earth Electric.
Example of a huge classic brown two-story stucco house exterior design in San Francisco with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Sunlight and home orientation are a big factor when considering how to build an energy efficient Net Zero home. Exposure to the sun has a lot of implications for heating and cooling. This was the case with our clients' home which was southeast facing with a bank of large triple pane windows. That provided very bright, insulated spaces that got a lot of sunlight, reducing the need for heating in the winter time. For the hot summer days, the blinds help to reduce the amount of heat generated by sunlight, while the triple pane windows help to insulate the cool air, reducing the need for A/C cooling and leading to year round energy conservation.

Sunlight and home orientation are a big factor when considering how to build an energy efficient Net Zero home. Exposure to the sun has a lot of implications for heating and cooling. This was the case with our clients' home which was southeast facing with a bank of large triple pane windows. That provided very bright, insulated spaces that got a lot of sunlight, reducing the need for heating in the winter time. For the hot summer days, the blinds help to reduce the amount of heat generated by sunlight, while the triple pane windows help to insulate the cool air, reducing the need for A/C cooling and leading to year round energy conservation.

Sunlight and home orientation are a big factor when considering how to build an energy efficient Net Zero home. Exposure to the sun has a lot of implications for heating and cooling. This was the case with our clients' home which was southeast facing with a bank of large triple pane windows. That provided very bright, insulated spaces that got a lot of sunlight, reducing the need for heating in the winter time. For the hot summer days, the blinds help to reduce the amount of heat generated by sunlight, while the triple pane windows help to insulate the cool air, reducing the need for A/C cooling and leading to year round energy conservation.

Light filtering honeycombs with top down systems provide light along with daytime privacy and block the view of the neighbors or the sidewalk. Honeycomb or cellular blinds remain an every popular, energy savings option. With new fabrics including bamboos, recycled fabrics, anti microbial being in the latest generation. Lovely trending and classic color along with a multitude of lift systems, including motorized,make these shades a great option.

Sunlight and home orientation are a big factor when considering how to build an energy efficient Net Zero home. Exposure to the sun has a lot of implications for heating and cooling. This was the case with our clients' home which was southeast facing with a bank of large triple pane windows. That provided very bright, insulated spaces that got a lot of sunlight, reducing the need for heating in the winter time. For the hot summer days, the blinds help to reduce the amount of heat generated by sunlight, while the triple pane windows help to insulate the cool air, reducing the need for A/C cooling and leading to year round energy conservation.

Sunlight and home orientation are a big factor when considering how to build an energy efficient Net Zero home. Exposure to the sun has a lot of implications for heating and cooling. This was the case with our clients' home which was southeast facing with a bank of large triple pane windows. That provided very bright, insulated spaces that got a lot of sunlight, reducing the need for heating in the winter time. For the hot summer days, the blinds help to reduce the amount of heat generated by sunlight, while the triple pane windows help to insulate the cool air, reducing the need for A/C cooling and leading to year round energy conservation.

This Boulder, Colorado remodel by fuentesdesign demonstrates the possibility of renewal in American suburbs, and Passive House design principles. Once an inefficient single story 1,000 square-foot ranch house with a forced air furnace, has been transformed into a two-story, solar powered 2500 square-foot three bedroom home ready for the next generation. The new design for the home is modern with a sustainable theme, incorporating a palette of natural materials including; reclaimed wood finishes, FSC-certified pine Zola windows and doors, and natural earth and lime plasters that soften the interior and crisp contemporary exterior with a flavor of the west. A Ninety-percent efficient energy recovery fresh air ventilation system provides constant filtered fresh air to every room. The existing interior brick was removed and replaced with insulation. The remaining heating and cooling loads are easily met with the highest degree of comfort via a mini-split heat pump, the peak heat load has been cut by a factor of 4, despite the house doubling in size. During the coldest part of the Colorado winter, a wood stove for ambiance and low carbon back up heat creates a special place in both the living and kitchen area, and upstairs loft. This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. These windows also provide a seamless indoor/outdoor connection, with 9′ wide folding doors from the dining area and a matching 9′ wide custom countertop folding window that opens the kitchen up to a grassy court where mature trees provide shade and extend the living space during the summer months. With air-tight construction, this home meets the Passive House Retrofit (EnerPHit) air-tightness standard of

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Toronto with an undermount sink, louvered cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white cabinets

Panasonic whole home energy system solar panels installed as part of this eco conscious addition and renovation project. This system provides reserve energy for up to 3 days in the event of a grid failure, and also feeds into the hydro grid when excess power is generated, offsetting hydro costs from the utility.

Sunlight and home orientation are a big factor when considering how to build an energy efficient Net Zero home. Exposure to the sun has a lot of implications for heating and cooling. This was the case with our clients' home which was southeast facing with a bank of large triple pane windows. That provided very bright, insulated spaces that got a lot of sunlight, reducing the need for heating in the winter time. For the hot summer days, the blinds help to reduce the amount of heat generated by sunlight, while the triple pane windows help to insulate the cool air, reducing the need for A/C cooling and leading to year round energy conservation.

This 3,509 sq. ft. custom home was constructed on a 2-acre parcel of land in the Cowichan Valley. The goal of Modern Family Farmhouse was to create a multi-generational home. The main home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms over two levels, plus an office on the main level. The 965 sq. ft. attached secondary suite has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Nestled in the hills just to the west of Portland, this elegant home for a family of five is a good example of blending environmental building performance with aesthetics. Our clients requested an abundance of natural light, views from throughout the home to the yard to the south, uncompromised indoor air quality, the use of natural materials, and a home that would generate as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis. The home has achieved a LEED for Homes Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council. Quality craftsmanship is evident throughout from the interior finishes to the steel and wood stair railing. Jeremy Bittermann Photography