No More Electric Bills? Zero-Energy Homes - Newsweek Technology - MSNBC.com
Aug. 15, 2005 issue - Nicholas and Loan Gatai used to cringe when they received power bills that routinely topped $200. Last September the Sacramento, Calif., couple moved into a new, 1,500-square-foot home in Premier Gardens, a subdivision of 95 “zero-energy homes” just outside town. Now they’re actually eager to see their electric bills. The grand total over the 10 months they’ve lived in the three-bedroom, stucco-and-stone house: $75. For the past two months they haven’t paid a cent.

FSEC - Zero Energy Buildings
Zero Energy Homes (ZEH) are homes designed to use zero net energy from the utility grid. The concept is simple — couple the maximum possible building energy efficiency with the best available renewable energy resources in a way that maximizes the effectiveness of both. FSEC’s first Zero Energy Home was built in Lakeland, Florida in 1998. Click above or on the image at the right to learn more about this innovative home.

A tale of a zero energy house:

The design and construction of a new house according to current environmentally thoughtful, sustainable, “green” practices offers many rewards but entails a variety of ironies, compromises, frustrations and practical problems as well. This website is intended to document the process involved and lessons learned in building this lakeside house in Evanston, Illinois. The owners, architect and builder hope to encourage and assist other owners, architects and builders with “green” intentions who are considering a project in this direction. more…

Many great resources throughout.