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.

Many of us have heard about the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 (or "Cash for Caulkers") program that was passed by the House of Representatives last month and is currently waiting to clear the Senate. It sounds as if this bill could be a win/win situation for homeowners and contractors--homeowners will get excellent rebates on "green" products which, in turn, should kick-start the construction industry and create jobs.

However, the bill itself is VERY comprehensive. There are 13 types of retrofit projects eligible for rebates, and each product has unique eligibility requirements and set rebate amounts--so it can be quite confusing for consumers. I recently read an excellent blog article that does a nice job of breaking down the eligible projects by type and giving a concise description of the requirements and rebates available for each. (http://tinyurl.com/2f3bhs8) Whether you’re a consumer or a contractor, this easy-to-understand chart will make it easier to clearly see what types of rebates the Home Star bill will provide.

And although I believe Home Star will be great--both for homeowners who want to make their homes "greener" and save money on energy costs, and for contractor still feeling the effects of the economic downturn--it’s important to remember that this bill could take weeks, or even months, to become a law. For homeowners who want to replace their windows or doors, add insulation, or make other energy-efficient improvements to their homes RIGHT NOW, there are still excellent federal tax credits available for 30% of the cost of qualified products--up to $1,500. For more information on the existing tax credits, visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index.