We all complain that our utility bills are too high. The cost of gas and electricity always seems to be rising with no end in sight. Most people will grumble, but they don’t realize that they could have a home that would protect them from higher energy rates.
In Alberta, it is possible to reduce your gas and electricity bills to $0/year. It’s done with what is called a net-zero energy home. A net-zero energy home is an all-electric home that generates as much energy in a year as it consumes. The free Eco-Solar Home Tour is where you can visit net-zero energy homes and see how this is done.
“Our net-zero energy home has no gas connection, and we produce enough solar energy so that our average annual bill for lights, heat, and two electric cars is essentially zero,” said tour organizer and net-zero homeowner Andrew Mills.
An all-electric, net-zero energy home starts saving you money by not having a gas bill. A net-zero home will then have a solar array which will (on average) generate as much energy as your home consumes in a year.
You will use more electricity in the winter months, but you will generate enough in the summer months to offset your annual usage. At the end of the year, your net consumption will essentially be zero (the definition of net-zero energy). Once you achieve net-zero there are seasonal energy pricing plans that can chip away at the fixed costs and bring you bill down to.
Whether you are looking at a new home or planning on renovating your existing home, there are many ways to accomplish energy savings. The homeowners and builders on the Eco-Solar Home Tour host open houses of private homes that you normally would not be able to see, so that you can witness the latest energy-saving techniques.
The Calgary Eco-Solar Home Tour is displaying 13 homes this year on June 14 and 15. The tour is free and does not require registration. For times and details, go to www.ecosolar.ca.
