When a homeowner approached Rob Smith, president, e2 Homes Inc., Maitland, Fla., about building a net-zero home, Smith jumped at the prospect. As a residential contractor who primarily builds custom homes, Smith specializes in environmentally responsible, cost-effective building solutions, so he was excited to tackle this new challenge.
The result is a newly built 4,300-square-foot home, located in Winter Park, Fla., that features a whole host of energy-efficient features, including a 13.4-kW solar array system, autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) block construction, a supply only ventilation system, high-efficiency air-source heat pumps, ducted and ductless mini-split systems, tankless, propane-fired water heaters, and a 7,000-gallon cistern that collects and supplies rain water to all toilets and urinals.