Announcing The Northwest Net Zero House

A house that generates as much energy and water and the family consumes, but offers no compromise for style or luxury. One of the first in U.S.

The northwest Net Zero house is a custom, single family home in the Bellevue area of Washington. The term “Net Zero” means that it is a house whose systems will generate as much energy and water as the family consumes on an annual basis. For its many “green” or sustainable features, it will achieve a platinum certification from the United States Green Building Council’s LEED® for Homes program.

The house is built for an active family. At just over 3000 SF, it is considered a moderately sized new home for its location. Its residents will experience the same functionality and comfort as residents living in any new high-end home. Through the development of a purposeful design, large and unused living spaces that require a lot of energy to heat are eliminated. The remaining spaces serve all of the needs of a modern family. No lifestyle compromises are made for living in a sustainably built and healthy home.

Along with the house’s on-site energy and water production and overall energy efficiency, it is also built to last through the use of many commercial grade products and methods not normally employed in a residential building. Building a home to last over a hundred years, as this one is intended to do, may be its greenest feature.

Construction methods and materials used were chosen to lessen the house’s impact on the earth. All construction waste was recycled. Sustainable materials such as lumber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, fly ash concrete mix, and advanced framing techniques reduce and conserve where conventional building practices do not. Where possible, locally sourced materials were specified to reduce the embodied energy in the home.

Non-toxic and/or low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, stains, calks, and sealants reduce environmental impact were applied. These products also work, in combination with a highly engineered heating ventilation and cooling system, to create clean interior air quality for the residents. Indoor air quality is a much greater concern than outdoor and can lead to asthma and other respiratory problems. By adequately supplying a house with fresh air, filtration, and circulation these common respiratory problems are greatly reduced, according to the American Lung Association.

Builder: Thomas Jacobson, Thomas Jacobson Construction, LEED Accredited Professional for homes
Architect: Velocipede Architects, LEED AP

What is LEED®?The leadership in energy and environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System TM developed and managed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. Initially this program was developed for commercial structures.

What is the LEED® for Homes Program?What is the LEED® for Homes Program? Home building professionals and homeowners alike have been long awaiting the LEED for Homes Program. After piloting the program, it was formally launched in 2009 providing access to certification for building industry professionals. LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. LEED homes use less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier for the occupants. Benefits of a LEED home include lower energy and water bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. The net cost of owning a LEED home can be comparable to that of owning a conventional home. For more information on LEED®: http://www.usgbc.org

What Makes this Project a LEED ® Platinum house?

Sustainable features:

  • Net Zero Energy: Onsite energy production via a 9 kilowatt photovoltaic power system provides 100% of annual electricity consumed by home. This grid-tied system allows the house to spin the utility company’s meter backwards during the Seattle area’s long days of sunshine in summer and fall, and draw off of the grid during the winter when sunshine is limited. The credit built during the summer months will pay for the grid power in winter.
  • Net Zero H20: Rainwater catchment system captures water run-off from the roof and stores it in three underground tanks. Stored water is run through a filtration system and used as domestic potable water.
  • Super-insulated and airtight construction through the use of timber frame and structural insulated panels (SIPs) reduces energy loss. Heat doesn’t get out, so less energy is required to maintain comfortable indoor temperature.
  • Highly engineered HVAC system is powered by solar panels. The system constantly filters indoor air while providing fresh air intake. Heat recovery unit collects heat that would be lost through ventilation. Commercial-grade ducting eliminates heat-loss from ducts and reduces forced air noise.
  • With the house’s systems relying solely on the electricity produced by the solar panels, no natural gas is run to house, eliminating carbon emissions.
  • The fireplace is actually a masonry heater, emitting far more heat back into the house than is drawn up the chimney and lost.
  • Heat recovery coils at shower drains reduce energy required to heat water by recapturing heat that would otherwise be lost down the drain.
  • Dual-flush toilets conserve water.
  • Point-of-use circulation pump system for hot water to plumbing fixtures reduces water waste due to having to run faucets while waiting for water to heat.
  • 80% of lumber used in construction is certified as sustainably grown and harvested by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
  • All paints, stains, floor finishes, calks, and sealants contain no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), or are low VOC. This means that they are environmentally friendly because they are not harmful to plants, animals, ground water, and add to a healthful indoor air quality for the residents by eliminating harmful off-gassing.
  • Cool metal roofing re-emits heat from sun slowly, and along with high density foam insulation in the SIPs for the roof, keeps heat out of the second story of the house in summer. This eliminates the need for a home cooling system and reduces the heat island effect.
  • No PVC products are used in the construction of the house.
  • Local materials were specified in order to reduce the embodied energy of the house; stone veneer is from a local quarry, all wood is from the Pacific Northwest, windows and doors are from a local manufacturer and made of local materials.
  • All construction waste was recycled over the course of construction.
  • Only non-toxic cleaning products were used for construction cleaning.

Questions? Feel free to contact Northwest Net Zero builder Thomas Jacobson This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 206 720 1800.