Construction Quick Tip: Future homes strive to be energy self-sufficient

Housing and energy experts call the goal 'net zero.' It represents a building that has been constructed in such an energy-efficient way -- with methods and materials -- it is able to produce, on site, as much energy as it uses over the course of a year.

"Due to premium construction efficiency and energy generating abilities, experiments are already proving it can be done," says Todd Blyth at Nudura, a leading manufacturer of insulated concrete wall forms. "The first net-zero achievable school was opened in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and more are breaking ground.

"Even now, the materials you choose can make a big difference to the overall efficiency of your home," Blyth explained. "If you want the highest performance, be sure to pay close attention to decisions for the walls, windows, roofing, ventilation and indoor climate control. Those features in particular assist in the goal to completely offset energy consumption."

Nudura walls are a case in point in which interlocking concrete forms are replacing the traditional wood frame method. The system is known to builders as ICFs, or insulated concrete forms.

"Our ICFs consist of pre-assembled panels, each one stacked, reinforced, and then filled with concrete," Blyth explains. "Once locked together (like Lego) the system creates a solid, monolithic wall reported to be up to nine times stronger, with far more fire protection and with far more sound insulation."

This feature -- alongside solar generation, geothermal heating and cooling, plus positioning your home to take advantage of natural light -- are just a few of the features already available. More details are available online at www.nudura.com.