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Net Zero Energy

Net-zero energy or zero net energy building, is a building with zero net energy consumption. Meaning that the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site.


For a building to be certified as net-zero, all of its energy needs over a 12-month period must be supplied by on-site renewable energy. The International Living Future Institute does allow an “off-site renewables” exception for buildings that are locating in tight urban areas where solar panels aren’t feasible.
In recent years there has been a shift toward achieving NZE buildings, especially in California, Virginia, and Europe. Net-zero projects still represent a fraction of total new construction, but their numbers are on the rise. According to the New Buildings Institute (NBI), which has been tracking net-zero buildings since 2000, there were 332 verified or anticipated net-zero buildings in the United States and Canada at the end of 2016.


“We see them [NZE] in every building type and climate zone, but not in every state,” said Ralph DiNola, CEO of NBI.
According to the ILFI (International Living Future Institute) the economics of net-zero is changing quickly, the investment to go net-zero is now about half of what it was about three of four years ago and it can pay back quickly, generally in less than five years, and in some places, even less.
A factor that pushes lower cost for NZE buildings is LED lighting prices has dropped substantially in the past few years. Net-zero buildings tend to rely on natural daylighting to help reduce energy use: Conventional lighting accounts for about 11 percent of energy use in residential buildings, and 18 percent in commercial buildings, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. But there’s a side benefit as well: daylighting is known to improve employee health, well-being, and productivity. Net-zero advocates argue that any cost premium will be offset over time by energy savings.
As of now, California leads the way with NZE buildings hosting 137 verified or anticipated building, followed by Oregon with 16, and New York with 14.
Many NZE buildings begin with clients who decide to step into greener ventures. Increasingly, architects are leading the way, convincing clients NZE is the way to go.


More firms are using net-zero experience as a differentiator according to CEO of the New Buildings Institute, Ralph DiNola. “If you’re going to pitch net-zero to a potential client it’s easier to do if you’ve done it before, if your firm’s office is a net-zero building.”

Net-zero energy buildings are becoming more and more popular and will soon be the norm. It is an implementation of sustainability, resiliency, and efficiency.


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