A Zero Energy Home (ZEH) -- a home that produces as much energy as it consumes -- is an idea whose time has come! Authors David Johnston and Scott Gibson (Green from the Ground Up) explore the design and construction of self-sufficient houses from start to finish.

They make the case for a ZEH; cite climate and geographic challenges; describe exactly how to go about building an energy-efficient home; and feature ten houses that were built for zero energy living. With unequaled knowledge and a passion for the subject, the authors walk readers through the process of building and living in a truly green home.

About the Author
A leader in the green building movement, David Johnston is the author of Green from the Ground Up, lecturer and keynote speaker, and founder of greenbuilding.com. He has received numerous awards for his work, including being named the Environmental Hero for 2004 by Interiors and Sources magazine and Builder of the Year by the Washington, D.C., chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Scott Gibson is a freelance writer specializing in building topics and a longtime contributing editor to Fine Homebuilding magazine. He is coauthor of Green from the Ground Up.

1. Introduction: The case for zero-energy houses
a. Current and projected energy prices and trends: natural gas, electricity and heating oil
b. Home affordability: Energy spending as a proportion of average household spending, now and in the future
c. How energy economics and political uncertainty will contribute to price instability in the near future

2. What exactly is a zero-energy house?
a. Location and climatic conditions
b. How the building couples to the site
c. Tight building envelope
d. Insulation and air sealing
e. Ventilation and indoor air quality
f. Heating and cooling equipment basics
#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;i. Solar
#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;ii. Wind
#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;iii. Geothermal
#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;iv. Solar/hydrogen fuel cells (in the future)

3. Geographic and climate challenges
a. Determining loads
b. Percent possible sunshine
c. Wind speed and direction by season
d. Rainfall and time of year

4. Market factors
a. What is the demand for zero energy houses?
b. The finances of zero-energy construction
#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;i. Initial cost
#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;ii. Maintenance and operating costs
c. What occupants have to say about their homes

5. How to build a zero energy house
a. Planning "zero waste"
b. Ground coupling effects
c. Foundation: Soil types, water tables
d. Framing
e. Roofing: Integrating solar
f. Doors and windows: Passive solar details
g. Electrical
#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;i. DC or AC?
#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;ii. Energy "dashboards"
#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;iii. How smart can a house get?
h. Plumbing
#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;i. "Zero water"
#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;#nbsp;ii. On-site waste treatment
i. Insulation: How much and where
j. Renewables

6. Lifestyle and net-zero living
a. Electrical (load) management and consumption
b. Behaviorial impacts: the Prius effect
c. Choice and use of appliances
d. Conservation of resources
e. Community sustainability

7. ZEH certification