Net-Zero Energy vs. Zero Energy Ready Homes
Not all net-zero energy (NZE) homes are created equal, well, they aren’t all built the same that is. Also, slight differences in wording can mean different things. Did you know that there are net-zero energy homes and Department of Energy (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Homes (ZERH). What’s the difference? DOE defines a net-zero energy, or “zero energy,” building as “an energy-efficient building where, on a source energy basis, the actual annual delivered energy is less than or equal to the on-site renewable exported energy.” [1] And a Zero Energy Ready home is “a high performance home which is so energy efficient, that a renewable energy system can offset all or most of its annual energy consumption.”[2] So, a ZERH is a building that has maximized its energy efficiency and has the potential to be a NZE home if renewable energy sources are added. Those are the definitions, but how they are built, and what products are used, to meet those standards, is up to the builder.
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