Let’s sidestep a minute and discuss the benefits of having a home such as this. The zero energy concept has been around for quite a while. Some designers try to cram so much technology into their home that they eventually make the home so complicated and it inevitably becomes so expensive that it never gets built. We are a design/build contractor. That means we don’t get paid until we build the building. We can’t spend time designing a project that never gets built.
Our goal was to design a home that will fit into most people’s budgets and should fit into any neighborhood with little to no maintenance required by the owner. Yes, it does cost slightly more. Approximately 7-10% more by our calculations. But remember, the end result is to have NO utility bills. So the mortgage may be slightly higher, but not having to pay for your energy should result in a credit for the homeowner. So in other words, if your mortgage is $1600.00 per month and your gas or oil and electric bills are $400.00 per month you could now afford to pay $1700-1800.00 per month for your mortgage and enjoy the savings you are getting knowing that your energy is “free” and you are not putting out a carbon footprint.
The other benefit, not discussed, is the SREC certificates you receive monthly. They are a type of commodity that will generate revenue for you based on the efficiency of your system.
Let’s also not forget the rate caps are coming off next year. Our systems will insulate you from those increases.
No carbon footprint… no energy bills… no worries…
You really can’t afford not to do this…
Thursday, April 02, 2009
