Zero Net Energy for CA Homes

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

This may be the future for CA homes. A new legislation proposal for CA is to have new homes that use "zero-net energy" by 2020.

[William J. Decker]

Not possible. Violation of the Conservation of Energy law of thermodynamics and energy physics.

But, legislating contrary to reality is common in politicians.

Go figure

[Mark Thorman]

I have many friends that are net zeroing and are waiting for plugin hybrid trucks to be completely off oil. Here it is actually cost effective.


www.MauiHomeInspections.com

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

We already have communities where homes use "zero-net" energy, and others that are completely off the power grid - self sustaining. It's not perpetual motion

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by jpope

We already have communities where homes use "zero-net" energy, and others that are completely off the power grid - self sustaining. It's not perpetual motion

I bet they are very expensive on the front side and payback will be decades long.

[Bruce A. King]

When someone can produce a cost effective windmill or solar panel that can power electric ovens, electric dryers, air conditioner and electric water heaters, even one at a time, they will be rich.

Most people who brag about not using much energy are found to burn lots of wood and truck in propane.

I always wanted a large waterfall so that I could build a generating system.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by mlarson

I bet they are very expensive on the front side and payback will be decades long.

The typical cost for new construction is an additional $50K to $75K per home, so it does take some time to pay for itself. . .

[Mark Thorman]

Originally Posted by jpope

The typical cost for new construction is an additional $50K to $75K per home, so it does take some time to pay for itself. . .

Systems here run about half that.

www.MauiHomeInspections.com

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by Mark Thorman

I have many friends that are net zeroing and are waiting for plugin hybrid trucks to be completely off oil. Here it is actually cost effective.


www.MauiHomeInspections.com

Hybrid still uses oil (small gad engine to charge the battery) and where do you think the plug-in electric comes from?

Just because you don't burn it, someone else does.

The only way to be net-zero is to generate your own power from wind or solar, and the tech does not yet exist to re-charge a car from your house in an acceptable amount of time.

[Jason Kaylor]

Throw geothermal into that mix as well. Wind, Solar and Geothermal are all 30% reimbursement items in the new stimulus bill with no cap. There is a LEEDS platinum, I believe the first commercial one, in a town calls greensboro (or burg) that I saw a show on. It was utilizing solar and geothermal. It was completly off the grid and something like 25% recycled components. Pretty amazing really.

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[Mark Thorman]

Originally Posted by mlarson

I bet they are very expensive on the front side and payback will be decades long.

It depends on what you consider a payoff. I wont get a payoff on my new $40,000 kitchen till I sell my home. I think the same would apply to a home with a built-in power system and I get to enjoy the $26 a month in utility bills.

www.MauiHomeInspections.com

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by Mark Thorman

It depends on what you consider a payoff. I wont get a payoff on my new $40,000 kitchen till I sell my home. I think the same would apply to a home with a built-in power system and I get to enjoy the $26 a month in utility bills.

www.MauiHomeInspections.com

$40,000 invested at a modest 5% is $2,000 a year.

Do the math when figuring out payback times for energy improvements.

[Mark Thorman]

Originally Posted by mlarson

$40,000 invested at a modest 5% is $2,000 a year.

Do the math when figuring out payback times for energy improvements.

So doing the math, here in Maui energy costs are extremely high. Our homes are all electric (ranges and water heaters) and the average monthly electric bill for a small home runs above $350 a month. It was $600 a month during the oil scam of 08 that everyone seems to have forgotten. So I can save potentially $500 a month net zeroing and I have increased the value of my home. True this does not work for most of the country. But here it is a no brainer.

www.MauiHomeInspections.com

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by mlarson

$40,000 invested at a modest 5% is $2,000 a year.

5% isn't so modest these days...

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by lkage

5% isn't so modest these days...

You got that right.

But still far less than long term historical averages.