Even buying an ordinary house seems to be an enormous maze when considering all the emotional, financial and legal issues. Let´s assume that you are not a “green energy” engineer with experience in doing home inspections, then not many of us have experience with buying a zero energy house. We are all first time buyers.

The easiest way to start is to check whether the house is recognized as a zero energy home by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Program. It is very important to hire a home inspector, preferably an engineer with experience in doing zero energy home or green home inspections. He has to make sure that the house is well insulated, has energy star rated appliances, sufficient power sources (photovoltaic or wind), and energy efficient cooling and heating systems.

Do not look for retrofits! A true zero energy home have to be designed and built from the ground to save and produce energy.

Thermal imaging is a very effective, non intrusive building diagnostic procedure. Thermal imaging means identifying energy loss mostly caused by missing or defective insulation, air leaks, moisture penetration and thermal bridging.

Infrared thermal imaging cameras, also known as thermographic cameras, are being used to identify these building defects. They measure the surface temperature of buildings. One thermal image can contain up to 400,000 measurements points and each one is displayed using a specific color; red color means warmth and blue cold.

Why thermal imaging?

• reduce heat loss
• identify  thermal bridges
• find hidden leaks, source of damp
• identify roof defects
• verify repair work

Leaky spots

Roof - warmth and money is escaping along a badly isolated roof beam

Basement - basement walls are often badly insulated in order to reduce construction costs

Facade – insufficient insulation, glass doors, large windows

Windows – A new window pane can significantly improve insulation.

Inner Walls

Thermal images together with field information are converted into a report that interprets  the images and helps inform maintenance and investment decisions.

If you are a builder, contractor, designer or other organization involved in zero energy and green buildings feel free to add your details for inclusion in our directory. Every listing application is reviewed by us before approval. It is FREE!

Click here to join

Another nice illustration of nearly zero energy home.

Click on the label to find out how to save energy and water cost and how to make your home healthier.

Ways to reduce your living cost and improve local environment:

• Site selection
• Natural light
• Natural ventilation
• Recycling water
• Roofs covered with ventilation
• Photovoltaic panels and solar water heating systems
• Insulation
• Radiant heating
• Flooring and carpeting
• Cabinets
• Energy star appliances
• Faucets, toilets and showers
• Gardening

Most contractors and builders are often viewed as being risk averse with respect to adoption of new zero-energy building technologies. New technologies need additional planning steps and code approvals, require additional training or use of new suppliers, materials, or equipment. All these can lead to unexpected customer complaints.

We are all aware of environmental issues but we can not expect builders and contractors to be environmentally proactive, they do not initiate environmental protection measures. However, they have to respond increased consumer and policy-driven demand for green and energy-efficient homes.

Clients and homeowners have to show their willingness to pay for advanced energy efficiency and zero energy systems and financial incentives have to be developed to finance the additional costs of environmental measures.

Also homeowners tend to avoid technologies that increase risks and overall costs of investment.

Both builders and homeowners need credible information to decide if they can successfully use a broad range of new zero-energy systems with unknown risks and
unproven benefits.