Case Study: Net Zero Energy Homes - Portland
If you have a net zero energy home, then you produce more energy than you use in a year.
Sounds great, right? But…
Where do you start? How do go about making your home net zero, and what does it cost? This week, we’re sharing the story of Ryan, Megan, and their experience with a net zero energy home retrofit in Portland, Oregon. Thanks to Zachary Green, Celia Fernandez, and the team at CNBC’s Make It for first reporting and producing the video for this story.
Step 1. Net Zero Energy Homes
To find out whether it’s possible to zero out your energy bills, start by contacting GreenSavers at 541.330.8767, or send us a message anytime.
GreenSavers is the only contractor in Oregon offering comprehensive net zero energy home retrofits. Based in Oregon, we’re proud to stand out as a certified B Corporation and eight-time winner of the ENERGY STAR Contractor of the Year Award.
The Foundation for Net Zero
If we’re talking about a retrofit rather than a new build, we have much less control over structural elements of the home - like the layout and roof orientation.
That’s why most homeowners won’t be able to completely eliminate their energy bills, BUT every homeowner can get on the path to net zero energy.
Rectangular Shape for Energy Efficiency
Let’s look at some of the structural elements of Ryan and Megan’s home in Portland, Oregon that make it a good candidate for a net zero energy retrofit.
First off, the home has a rectangular shape with the long-side of the home facing south.
A home with a simple, rectangular shape is more energy efficient because it has less surface area exposed to the outside. This allows for less heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter.
With a southern exposure on the long-side of the home, Ryan and Megan also benefit from more natural light - which reduces the need for additional lighting in the home - and also positions the home to get the maximum benefit from rooftop solar.
Large, South-Facing Roof for Solar Panels
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, so they work best when they face the sun directly. In the US, the sun moves through the southern half of the sky, so a south-facing roof gets the most sunlight throughout the day. Because of their south-facing roof, Ryan and Megan get an extra boost from the solar panels they installed.
How to Make Your Home Net Zero
Check out our resource page for an overview of the steps to zero out your energy bills. At a glance, here are the priorities for Ryan and Megan’s project in Portland, Oregon:
Seal air leaks and add insulation
Install energy efficient heat pumps
Swap out the water heater with a heat pump water heater
Upgrade to ENERGY STAR appliances
Replace older CFLs and incandescent light bulbs with LEDs
Add rooftop solar panels
Update the electric system
Improve ventilation and air filtration
Please note that every home is different, so you may have different priorities than Ryan and Megan. For example, if you have older, single pane windows, you’ll almost certainly need to replace them with double or triple-pane windows to achieve net zero energy. Please give us a call to talk about your home: 541.330.8767.
Cost of Net Zero Home
Costs vary widely. After doing a large part of the demolition work themselves and collecting cash incentives, Ryan and Megan spent about $48,175 to create a net zero energy home in Portland. They took out a HELOC to pay for the work and are aggressively paying it down with monthly payments of about $1,250.
Costs for Ryan and Megan’s Net Zero Energy Retrofit
Energy Savings and Payback
Ryan and Megan’s solar panels produce a surplus of energy all summer long. Through Oregon’s net metering program, they get credits that offset their energy consumption during the winter months.
After the first year operating their solar panels, they realized that they actually have a 10% surplus of energy for the year. This inspired them to replace their car with an electric vehicle (EV). After accounting for the additional power needed for their EV, they now have a small energy bill. Ryan uses an app called Sense to monitor his energy production and consumption as well as track trends across months and years.
Sense Home energy Monitor
Assuming a 4% increase in the cost of energy, Ryan and Megan expect their project to pay off between years 16 and 17. After that, all the savings go right back into their pockets. More importantly, they feel proud of their legacy. Please give us a call to take the first step towards a net zero energy home retrofit: 541.330.8767.
