Zero-Energy Homes Are Ready for Mainstream Markets

Zero-energy (ZE) homes—efficient homes that produce or procure as much renewable energy as they consume over the course of a year—are often marketed as luxury homes, only available to the select few that are willing to pay a significant premium to do the right thing for the environment. In keeping with this luxury perception, research shows these homes are often more comfortable and healthier than conventional homes for a variety of reasons. Mainstream media outlets have suggested cost premiums as high as 40 percent for sustainable real estate.

However, the economics for these homes have changed: ZE homes have quietly passed cost thresholds that make them not only good for the environment but also cost-effective. As the underlying technologies and design elements continue to improve and scale, these costs will continue to decline.

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) recently released Economics of Zero-Energy Homes: Single Family Insights. Our work aimed to address the perceived cost of ZE and zero-energy ready (ZER) homes—homes designed to achieve ZE levels of efficiency but that don’t yet have solar photovoltaics (PV). The report also provides both homebuilders and policymakers with guidance on how to bring these homes to market.

Here’s what we learned:

Insight #1: ZER and ZE homes can already approach cost parity

Contrary to popular belief, ZER homes fall under a 3-percent incremental cost in most parts of the country, with that cost dropping under 1 percent in select locations such as Houston, Texas. Developers may even be able to construct these homes at cost parity in locations with stricter baseline codes (our analysis assumed construction meeting the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code) and aggressive incentive offerings from local utilities (which we did not consider in our work). The solar panels necessary to bring those ZER homes to ZE bring the incremental cost to 7 percent to 8 percent; however, a wide array of solar financing options can be used to cover part or all of that additional cost.

Insight #2: ZE and ZER homes already meet certain consumer cost thresholds

Savvy consumers consider upfront and ongoing costs in a variety of everyday purchasing decisions. Although research shows that consumers often apply a much higher discount rate than businesses or financial institutions do, consumers still consider ongoing savings and are willing to pay a premium for these savings.

Many consumers consider ongoing cost savings as they look to purchase a home. In an effort to understand how the cost and value of ZE and ZER homes would stand up to this decision-making process, RMI compared the incremental upfront cost of these homes against four “cost thresholds” defined below:

• Mortgage Threshold: The anticipated energy cost savings over the life of the mortgage.
• Resale Threshold: The anticipated energy cost savings over 12 years (the average duration homeowners expect to stay in a home).
• Consumer Willingness to Pay Threshold: The 4 percent first cost premium customers have stated they’re willing to pay according to consumer research.
• First Cost Threshold: Zero incremental cost compared with an identical code-compliant home.

When the incremental cost of building ZE and ZER homes falls below these cost thresholds, savvy homebuyers are more likely to bear the cost of investment in ZE or ZER homes. For example, if the cost of upgrading a home to ZE is less than the cost of energy the homeowner pays over 12 year in a standard non-ZE home, then a homeowner using the resale cost threshold would be more likely to purchase the home. In many cases, these cost thresholds have already been achieved in local markets. Figure 1 and Figure 2 summarize the results for ZER and ZE homes, respectively, compared against these cost thresholds.

Insight #3: Not all ZE homes are created equal with respect to cost

RMI’s analysis considered hundreds of different energy measure combinations to identify the lowest cost pathway to net-zero design in four different climate zones. Although our analysis yielded concrete recommendations for cost-optimal ZE home designs, a variety of other solutions are available and may be specified based on local conditions or consumer priorities. The most interesting takeaway was that in the climate zones we analyzed (IECC 2–5), ZE and ZER levels of efficiency could be achieved without aggressive or cutting-edge envelope and HVAC solutions. Although these solutions may yield other benefits such as thermal comfort or passive resilience, from a strict cost standpoint, removing these leading-edge solutions from the ZE package resulted in a significantly lower cost premium.

In all climates, the cost optimal solution from RMI’s analysis included 100-percent LED lighting, low-flow water fixtures, and ENERGY STAR appliances, all of which reduce load at a very minimal cost premium. In addition, heat pumps were used for both space heating and water heating. The roof, walls, and windows were efficient but did not exceed the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) prescriptive efficiency levels. Although there is no one-size-fits-all cost-optimal solution to building ZE homes, our analysis indicated that these energy measures are cost-effective in almost any situation.

We consider this analysis to be conservative, as we have a limited ability to consider integrative design approaches or opportunities unique to a specific homesite such as ground source heat pumps. We similarly do not consider district heating or cooling options to which some districts might have access. Similarly, we do not consider additional premium elements that today correlate with net-zero energy design (e.g., nicer appliances or finishes). We consider this analysis to be a baseline premium for a ZE or ZER home, with the opportunity to increase the performance, decrease the cost, or increase the value through custom or site-specific design elements.

Insight #4: Costs for ZE homes will continue to decline over time

Although the results of this report show that constructing ZE homes can be economical for most homeowners in most locations today, it’s important to understand how costs are expected to change in the future. Industry progress and demand for super-efficient building components is expected to drive cost savings over the next decade. Specifically, our projected cost decline is a result of solar PV costs dropping, reduced PV system size requirements (due to equipment efficiency gains), and efficient equipment becoming more mainstream. These factors should bring ZE homes in the four locations modeled within a 3-percent to 5-percent incremental cost by 2030, compared with a 6-percent to 8-percent incremental cost today. The opportunity for cost savings in ZER homes is less significant, with incremental costs projected to drop roughly 20 percent by 2030, as Figure 4 shows.

Builders should reevaluate their ZE solution every few years to ensure it is still cost optimal with dropping solar prices and improving technology.

Call to Action

ZE and ZER homes are still a niche product, currently representing less than a 1.4-percent market share of new construction. However, given the promising results of RMI’s analysis, the proliferation of homes certified through the DOE ZERH program, and California’s recently adopted requirement that all new homes be ZE by 2020, it is clear that this market is at a tipping point.

RMI, DOE, and a host of other organizations are working with city policymakers and real estate developers to meet the call of this impending market transformation. Through our collective action, we can address an essential piece of our carbon footprint while unlocking the variety of benefits that ZE and ZER homes provide. ZE and ZER homes are market ready, and it is time to act!

Image courtesy of iStock.