These days, many homeowners are looking for ways to make their homes more energy efficient not only to reduce their energy bills but to also reduce negative impacts on the environment. To do this, many have opted to upgrade their existing homes or build a new energy efficient home from scratch. These green homes are often referred to as Net Zero homes.
What is a Net Zero Home?
Simply put, a Net Zero home is a home designed and built to produce as much renewable energy as it consumes on a yearly basis. Building a Net Zero home can produce a dramatic reduction in your home's energy bills, and, if built by an experienced Net Zero home builder, you can even net as low as zero energy payouts over the course of the year.
Net Zero homes are highly sustainable because they use have a lighter impact on the environment. These homes combine superior building systems with energy efficient materials like solar panels and geothermal heating and cooling systems.
Why Should I Build a Net Zero Home?
The benefits of building a Net Zero home are impressive. From being more affordable, healthier, and comfortable to their low-maintenance durability, Net Zero homes are a smart choice for homeowners.
You'll save dramatically on your energy bills
Tax Credits and Other Financial Incentives for Net Zero Homes
While Net Zero homes do require more financial investment up front to build, they cost less to live in. The good news is, you'll start to see a great return on your construction investment from the very first energy bill. Many utility agencies, as well as the federal government, also offer financial incentives to help recoup the initial cost of a Net Zero energy efficient home.
Here's are the most current tax credits for homeowners who want to build a Net Zero home.
Energy Star provides a Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit up to 30% for all homeowners. Originally, this tax credit was set to expire on December 31, 2016, but was been renewed and extended until December 31, 2023. This tax credit covers a range of energy efficient home upgrades including solar electric systems and solar thermal hot water systems.
Another place to check for renewable energy incentives is with your local utility company. Many electric and gas companies offer rebates for making energy efficient home upgrades.
From simple changes like replacing regular lightbulbs with LEDs to upgrading your existing water heater to a more sustainable model, there are many rebates available to help defray the initial costs energy efficient upgrades.
To find out more about Net Zero tax credits offered in your area, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) website. Just enter your zip code to see what financial incentives are available for you. You may be surprised by the sheer number of tax incentives, grants, and loan programs that are part of the DSIRE database!
Tips for Finding Renewable Energy Tax Credits
There are also a couple of important things to note about renewable energy incentives. First, incentives can change over time, so always verify you have the most current information possible.
Next, some incentives will go to the homebuyer whereas some incentives go directly to the home builder. With that in mind, always read the terms of the financial incentive carefully.
Considering building a custom home or planning a renovation in the St. Louis area? Our team at Hibbs Homes would love to help! As an award-winning green home builder, we have helped hundreds of families design and build a more sustainable home. With our ComfortBuilt and Net Zero home building options, many of our clients are able to build larger homes that cost less to operate each month than their existing homes. Ready to get started? Contact our team to learn more.