Technology adoption amazes me. Sometimes it's quick and sometimes it's not. Take TiVO, for example. Back in the day, people couldn't figure out what the hell a TiVo was! It was (and still is) an innovative product, but it was complicated to explain. Once you used it, however, you were hooked.

Similarly, we have the technology to build a zero energy house, including super water efficiency, amazing indoor air quality and a lighter environmental footprint. But for various reasons, home building is anachronistic and laggard. Is it too complicated?

Green building can be complicated, but fortunately, we have a growing reservoir of case studies, which we can use to take progressive steps in the future. In greater Dallas, custom home builder AndersonSargent teamed up with Barley + Pfeiffer Architects to build a zero energy home. Take a gander at the Zero Energy Home website, and see if there are any ideas you can apply to your current situation.

This green home is not small, either, weighing in at 3,800 square feet. [Aside: imagine the air conditioning bills on a 3,800 square foot home in the middle of Texas!] Without considering the benefits of the photovoltaic solar panels, this home's utility costs are roughly equivalent to a 1,300 square foot home and about $70 /month for electricity + gas per month. With the solar panels, this is a net zero energy home.

Here's a small list of some of the green features of the zero energy home: proper solar orientation and passive design; ventilated radiant barrier roof system; spray foam insulation and Durisol block construction; air sealed attics; proper roof overhangs to maximize the sun and shade balance; a light exterior color scheme to reflect heat; enhanced natural ventilation; 90% fluorescent lighting (much of it electronic-ballast high resolution); low-flow faucets + showerheads; on-demand hot water system; Energy Star kitchen + laundry appliances; and a comprehensive outdoor water conservation system incorporating native/low-water-use plants, a 5,000 gallon rainwater cistern, and a smart irrigation controller. Every geography is different and has different needs, but at a very minimum, homes like this should give us a starting point to build better and consume less in the future.