Check Out Somerville's First 'Net-Zero' House
The home is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes.
The house at 13 Elmwood St., outside Davis Square, may look like many other newly rennovated residential projects in Somerville. A look at the massive solar panels on the roof tells you something else is going on.
This home is Somerville's first "Net-Zero" house, according to an announcement from the city. Net-Zero means the house produces as much energy as it consumes, the announcement says.
In addition to giant solar panels, the two-family home is built with green construction materials and techniques to minimize its carbon footprint, according to the announcement.
The renovated home is owned by Chungha Cha of Susterra Partners in Korea, and it was designed by Amacher & Associates, an architecture firm.
Matt C
9:37 am on Thursday, December 27, 2012
It would be really interesting to know the cost of the solar set up to better understand what the ROI is.
Joe Beckmann
10:03 am on Thursday, December 27, 2012
There are a variety of costs of various solar set-ups, and they ALL are less than ZERO to the homeowner. Some are free and yield a deeply discounted electric bill; some involve some up front investment that returns about 20% per year in credits and cash from NStar fines for dirty electricity. Look before you ask, like the kids do - http://bit.ly/12Ib320.