(Nan’s Note: I was thinking about this one recent morning. Is it possible to remodel to Zero Energy or Passiv Haus standards? Well, I stumbled across this website that evening!
I’m a remodeling junkie and advocate, because we don’t need to take up every spare inch of private land for housing. We need to rework the buildings we have to be the most energy efficient. A net zero home produces more energy than it uses. This Palo Alto historical remodel makes me hopeful that there will be land for growing food or simply enjoying 50-100 years from now, as we remodel what we already have!)
The Palo Alto Net Zero Energy House is a renovated 1936 house that is now net zero energy and carbon-neutral. The green renovation used advanced high-performance sustainable methods and materials throughout the home while preserving the 1936 architectural style.
The five goals for the renovation were Energy Efficiency, Comfort, Health, Water, and Historic Preservation. Those goal have been accomplished. Energy monitoring at the house shows:
There has been a 62% reduction in energy usage.
Check out the website for the Palo Alto Net Zero House.
