California-based ZETA Communities recently announced a new project worth noting. It’s an affordable, net-zero energy community with 22 starter homes in Stockton, California called Tierra del Sol. ZETA says the homes are being built in Sacramento in an off-site fabrication process that results in higher quality, faster construction, lower first costs, and lower operating costs.
There’s some interesting history to this net-zero energy home in Lenado, Colorado. Apparently, a “cranky,” gun-totting squatter named Jack Hogue, or “Lumber Jack,” built a cabin and bathhouse near the top of Woody Creek and took title by adverse possession in the 1990s, after 17 years. Branden Cohen and Deva Shantay of True Nature Healing Arts bought the place from Lumber Jack and improved it, but at 8,650 feet in elevation, it turns out they needed, among other things, a bathroom *in* the home, not out.
The ‘Power Haus’ by Josh Wynne Construction in Sarasota, Florida has achieved the lowest HERS rating on record in the U.S., a negative 22, with an elegant, well-crafted design. Earning 118 LEED points the home is just shy of also becoming the highest scoring LEED home in the country by 1.5 points to the Helenowski Residence in Chicago, which holds the highest known score at 119.5.
This is Morning Sun, a near net-zero energy home completed at the end of December 2009 for owners Doug and Emily Boleyn. The high-performance abode — designed by Matthew Daby of m.o. daby design llc and built by Cellar Ridge Custom Homes — received LEED Platinum certification, Oregon High Performance Home certification, and an Energy Performance Score of 31, making it one of the most decorated green projects in Happy Valley.
Sol – solutions oriented living – is an impressive community of 40 modern homes three miles east of downtown Austin. The homes are net-zero energy capable, all-electric, and built to a 4 or 5 Star rating under the Austin Energy Green Building Program. This home earned a 5 Star rating and features an open, contemporary interior.
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