Net-zero energy and zero emission homes/buildings are being built ALL across the U.S. and yet so many buyers either don’t know this level of performance, including optimized comfort and minimized maintenance, is within their grasp. Or, if they do know about it, they too often assume it is still “too cutting-edge” and thus too expensive to be in their home. Our panelists on this episode are educating and helping dispel the misunderstanding that this type of performance is only available for the ultra-wealthy. 

Paul Kriescher, Executive Producer/Host of the new PBS/YouTube series, Heart of a Building, does this by showcasing the inspiring “why” stories behind inspired homes and buildings across Colorado and soon from across the U.S. beginning with the Pittsburgh, PA and Orlando, FL areas. David Takahashi is a Boulder homeowner who renovated his 1954 “energy-hog” of a home into a net-zero energy home after Climate Change enhanced fire and flood (destroyed and damaged, respectively) previous homes he owned a decade earlier. Paul Hutton is the Director of Regenerative Design at the Cuningham Group where he specializes in optimizing daylighting and building performance for schools and commercial buildings across the U.S.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how and why people design and build/remodel net-zero energy houses/buildings.
2. Learn about the true costs of net-zero energy home construction vs. operational, maintenance and environmental impact savings (new and retrofit).
3. Understand the importance of the thermal envelope prior to electrifying heating, cooling and ventilation equipment.
4. Learn why solar PV is the “icing on the cake”, not the first step.