Can what’s implied with a “Zero Energy” home actually be achieved? The Zero Energy Lab Home program run by the Best Practices Research Alliance in Pittsburgh is doing the research to find out. The Alliance is in the midst of a multi-year research initiative to design and construct homes that use only the energy they tap on-site from natural sources.

Construction of a Zero Energy home – to be evaluated in “cold-climate conditions” – was begun in March near Pittsburgh and now is only months from completion. Then, the research component begins as the Alliance teams simulate habitation in the uninhabited house over a three-year period. Criteria include performance, ease of construction and cost effectiveness.

This is truly an exciting project, as it speaks to the future of energy, our country and even the world – and we salute all those organizations and companies involved in all aspects of the project. Gorell is proud to be an active participant in the project, as Gorell ENERGY STAR qualified windows were selected for the Zero Energy home. For more about the project, visit the Alliance’s web site -- http://www.theresearchalliance.org/pittsburgh-lab-home.aspx. The Best Practices Research Alliance is also providing photo updates of the construction on flickr. Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/labhomepittsburgh/ to see the home being built.