Green Home Building: Passive vs LEED vs Net-Zero Energy
The environment has become one of the most important topics of discussion in our society. We are looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint and reduce our energy output. We are driving electric and hybrid cars and we recycle as much as we can. We all want to do our bit to help protect our environment and pass this world down to our kids, grandchildren and beyond. In search of a better future we can also make changes to our homes. An in creating these energy efficient, green, homes you can also save money yourself. There are three types of home Peak One will help you create to bring you closer to a greener lifestyle; Highly energy efficient Passive Homes, sustainable, durable LEED Homes and energy neutral Net-Zero Energy.
Passive Homes
Baufritz Energy Houses
The basic idea of a Passive Home is that the house maintains a steady temperature without the need for much, if any, heating. These houses work through using excellent insulation to reduce heat escaping through the walls and creating an airtight environment so that no heat is wasted. The sun is particularly important in these homes by using natural light to warm the house.
These houses are particularly good in temperate climates. In colder locations through the winter, it is still necessary to have a heating element. However, the usage of this will be greatly reduced due to the efficiency of the building itself. Therefore the your energy bills can drop dramatically.
Good insulation isn’t too hard to achieve, but to create a proper airtight home an experienced, expert team is required. Peak One Builders have these requirements and can help turn your house into a Passive Home. All buildings can become Passive Homes, including single and multi family homes.
LEED Homes
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a scoring system which awards points to a home based on the building’s level of sustainability. Unlike Passive or Net-Zero Energy Homes, LEED Homes are rated through things such as the materials and techniques used to construct the home, whereas the other types of home are measured on energy efficiency.
Green additions to the building are scored well. For example, fiberglass, windows score very well due to their durability, energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. The point system also favors the use of renewable, green materials over toxic ones overall reducing the impact that your home has on its environment for years to come.
LEED Homes are very energy efficient. The high level of insulation required mean that energy bills can decrease. And due to the use of no toxic chemicals, air quality is far better for you and your family. As well as this the amount of water used is also decreased by using low-flow taps and bathrooms.
All in all, LEED Homes save you money, make for a better family environment and also have a higher resale value. Peak One Builders will make sure you get all the help you need to design your new family friendly LEED Home for single and multi family homes up to 6 storeys.
Net-Zero Energy Homes
These houses are similar to the Passive Homes but instead of reducing energy usage, a Net-Zero Home aims to produce as much energy and it uses in a year. Its efficiency is therefore measured over time, unlike LEED Homes.
Solar energy is particularly critical in these homes. Solar panels will produce the majority of the energy used. These homes are still wired into the grid just in case, but the efficiency of the building should mean that very little energy is required compared to a normal home. These do not reach to levels of efficiency that Passive Homes do.
By producing as much energy as is used these homes are extremely economical and will cut your energy usage down far below a normal home. Therefore, you will have the potential to save a lot of money.
The main difference between Net-Zero Energy Homes and Passive Homes is that Net-Zero Energy Homes still require energy, whereas Passive Homes attempt to maintain a constant comfortable temperature with little to no outside input, outside of naturally generated heat, such as from sunlight.