Zero Energy Certified
A GHI Zero Energy Certified designation means a project was designed, built, and tested to be zero energy over a year.
GHI Zero Energy Capable is now Zero Energy Certified!
A Zero Energy Certified Home requires
- An energy model that shows the home or building produces as much more energy than it is estimated to use over an average year.
- Be all electric*
- Achieve a baseline green building certification such as GreenStar Homes Certification, LEED, or etc.
Below are several projects that have achieved GHI zero energy certification.
What are the requirements?
- Submit a model for a home or building using an approved energy modeling tool. The model must show a zero or negative energy usage over a typical year, including all energy consumption and all energy production from renewable energy sources local to the site. The energy consumption and production modeling must be completed by qualified professionals. Consumption from the following items can be excluded: Vehicles, special farm or manufacturing energy consumption (submit an explanation of proposed exclusions with the modeling).
- Build or renovate to the modeled standards and use 3rd party energy testing & inspections to ensure performance. These are specified by the chosen model in step 1. (Minimum tests required include 1. Air leakage of the building envelope; 2. Duct leakage to the outdoors; 3. Total duct leakage; 4. Worst Case Combustion Spillage)
- Have energy rating certified by the appropriate certification body
- The project must be all electric with some exceptions. See below
- Project must be GreenStar Homes Certified or an equivalent baseline level of a relevant green building program*
Approved Modeling Tools
- DOE Home Energy Score
- Approved 301 Energy Rating Index Tools
- HERS index
- REMrate
- Ekotroupe
- Florida Energy Guagge
- BSI House Rater
- CA – Title 24
- HERS index
- 90.1 Modeling Software approved
- WUFI Passive
- Passive House Planning Package
All Electric Exceptions
Project should be all electric with exceptions
Renovation projects in cold weather climate zones of 4 our higher may use dual fuel heatpump systems be certified
Comply with GHI All Electric Living Badge
Requires that all systems in the project are electric with no combustion, with some exceptions:
- Allows combustion fireplaces for aesthetics or winter heating backup in single family homes
- Multifamily Housing / Attached Townhomes
- Dryers in nonresident spaces (laundry rooms)
- Must be electric in new construction projects
- Corridor and nonresidential space heaters
- Allowed in Climate Zone 6+
- Central Gas Water Heating
- Allowed in Climate Zone 6+
- Must investigate heatpump options and provide an acceptable reason to rule them out
- ERV with gas backup heaters allowed in Climate Zone 6+
- Dryers in nonresident spaces (laundry rooms)
Does this cost anything?
This program is free for GHI members or GHI project teams certifying in the same project submission.
Non-Member costs $100 per submission for the first home and an additional $10 per unit for townhomes, developments, or multifamily housing.
Does the home need to show zero utility bills?
No. This is designed + built + tested and modeled to be zero energy and utility bills are not required. Homeowners or tenants can apply for our zero energy hero awards on a yearly basis if the utility bills are zero or negative.
What types of projects can certify?
- Single family
- Neighboorhoods
- Multifamily housing
- High & Midrise buildings
- Mixed use
- Any commercial building that can be modeled under ASHREA
- New construction
- Renovation
- Weatherization
Why does it have to be GreenStar Certified? Can I use another certification?
The goal is to ensure the project meets some basic green measures so that that it is healthy, durable, water efficient and utilizes sustainable materials.
Other certifications do meet these goals and include but are not limited to;
- LEED
- National Green Building Standard (NGBS)
- Enterprise Green Communities
- DOE: Zero Energy Ready Home
- Passive House
- Earth Craft
Learn more about each program on our on Demand CE Webinar Making Sense of Green Home Certifications 101
Is there training to help me to do this?
We have many on-demand courses and live tours that cover zero energy
Go here to access them and watch at no charge
Partner Trainings
Heatspring – Leaders in High-Performance Building: Zero Fossil Fuels & Zero Net Energy
EEBA has a great all day hands-on program that may be coming to a town near you. Learn more
Do I have to count heavy energy using systems?
Yes.
Your model will need to account for things like
- Driveway warmers
- Ice dam metlers
- Hot tubs
- Pumps
- Elevators
- Etc.
Lakeside Net Zero Passive House goes LEED Platinum Passive House Certified
March 20, 2024/by Brett LittleMember New Leaf Home Design wins DOE Housing Innovation Award.
GHI member New Leaf Home Design, LLC, is excited to announce…
December 5, 2023/by Brett LittleThe 713 Project: For the Journey Wins the outstanding LEED project award
July 19, 2023/by Brett LittleVastu Shastra Sanctum GreenStar Silver GHI Zero Energy Certified
This home and all homes meeting the GreenStar Homes Certification…
April 13, 2023/by Brett LittleGHI member renovation aims for LEED and pre certifies zero energy capable
Baker+Myers SmartHaus is a LEED registered home aiming for Platinum…
May 29, 2020/by Brett LittleCEO of Mitsubishi US picks up Zero Energy Capable Certification
July 26, 2019/by Brett LittlePrickly Pear Sanctuary goes GreenStar Platinum
March 21, 2019/by Brett LittleMN Net Zero Victorian Gut Rehab Officially is Certified Net Zero Energy
December 31, 2017/by Brett LittleGrand Traverse Habitat For Humanity Depot Neighborhood goes LEED Platinum & Zero Energy
December 31, 2017/by Brett LittleBurh Becc @ Beacon Springs LEED Platinum & Zero Energy Capable Certified
December 31, 2017/by Brett LittleOhm Sweet Ohm – LEED Platinum, Zero Energy Capable
August 23, 2017/by Brett LittleMassachusetts Net Positive LEED Platinum Modern Farmhouse becomes a zero energy hero
July 20, 2017/by Brett LittleZero Energy Capable Certification Application
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The GreenHome Institute, formerly The Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES) is a 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to empower people to make healthier and more sustainable choices in the renovation and construction of the places we live.
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