Off-Grid Living
You've incorporated passive strategies to tighten your home's envelope and reduce your energy use, and you've installed a renewable energy system to take care of your electricity and gas needs. If disconnecting yourself from the "grid" (municipal power supply) and effectively putting an end to energy bills appeals to you, first consider these issues.
What about water? One option is to dig a private well, and another is to collect rainwater from a cistern. You may choose to reuse gray water from your sinks and laundry to irrigate your lawn. As for sewage, install a septic system. For those who live in rural locations, you may already do without municipal resources and are closer than you think to going completely off the grid.
Examples of Net Zero Remodels
It is possible for a home like yours to become net zero. Get inspired by these examples:
The Zenergy House, a 1950s home in Los Angeles, CA was completely renovated as a net zero energy prototype. Following a comprehensive energy audit, the HVAC system and water heater were replaced with new, energy efficient models. The attic was sealed and insulated, and silicone- and water- based calk tightened the home's envelope. Existing single pane windows were replaced with dual pane, insulated, low-e aluminum clad wood windows. Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels generate electricity to meet the home's entire needs.
Homeowners Eric and Cyndi Strid transformed their large Northwest Oregon home into a model of energy-efficiency. They began by hiring an energy consultant and implemented his suggestions, such as installing a new metal roof, solar panels and a ground-source heat pump.
A net zero renovation transformed this 1970s ranch house in Boulder, CO into a modern, energy-efficient abode. Thanks to a major insulation update, solar panels and a solar hot water system, this home produces 130 percent of its energy needs. A Web Energy Logger (WEL) allows the owners to monitor continued energy use.