Home Transformation to Net Zero!

I'm humbled and proud to share an article written by the organization that Certified my home - Pearl Certification!

In this article you'll learn how I purchased a "gutter ball" of a house that was built in 1979 and transformed it into a Net Zero home. The smaller, low-cost fixes were accomplished first and the energy bills were reduced 71%, BEFORE sizing the home for a solar system.

Using this path to reduce energy before producing energy, I was able to keep the costs down. After a full year, I was able to size a solar system to cover the final energy cost and cover MOST of the power of charging an EV.

The home started out as being another potential rental home for me, so design finishes weren't important. Plus I was having MAJOR back problems in 2015 when I purchased the home. 2015 was a pivotal year, renting out my home, buying another one, working on a remodel and energy efficient retrofit, then 4 days in the hospital as a single person!

Hiring movers to put everything in storage while the "new" 1979 house was being gutted, this was not for the faint of heart, much less for someone scheduling back fusion!

So when you look at the finishes, ignore them. I wasn't thinking primary residence when I thought of purchasing it. But as I thought more about this home and it's location, I changed my thinking and decided it would be my "case study house" and I would stay there versus renting it out. I would transform this house into a model for what any homeowner could accomplish. Starting with an energy audit during the inspection period, I also found mold, wood rot, termites, asbestos and an expansive soil crack. Wow!

I already knew as a realtor to do my due diligence, but I also specializing in energy efficiency. When you remove the flooring and the finishes, bring the termite inspector back to the house. Analyze every inch to ascertain if termites are setting up residency!

This full view of the laundry room shows the asbestos backing on the floor, which was encapsulated with new wood tile. But the wall had to be remediated for mold. The wall wasn't visible during a home inspection thanks to pedestal, front loading washer/dryer and "stuff" between the machines.

Check out the split truss in the attic. Some of the dirtiest insulation in an attic I've seen! Make sure your home inspector thoroughly inspects an attic. ASHI inspectors don't include the efficiency of any one item, nor do they report on energy efficiency or water efficiency.

The vendor installing spray foam didn't know NOT to install it in August in Phoenix. Who installs closed cell spray foam in a 170 degree attic? The vendor I used. Another vendor came a few years later and sealed up the holes and the registers. Thank you to AZ Energy Efficient Home, Jonathan Waterworth!

The blown in "nasty" 40 year old blow-in cellulose (pictured above) wasn't removed prior to installing spray foam. Another mistake by the vendor. The off-gassing took longer thanks to that maneuver and having guys in my attic removing blown in cellulose produced nail pops on my ceilings, which was after the remodel and popcorn removal. ARGH!

My home serves as a model for what ANYONE can accomplish. From inefficient to Net Zero - my house could be anyone's net zero. Follow along with the article and the associated links to learn how you can electrify your home, eliminate energy bills, and live a simpler life.

Water saving measures include xeriscape landscaping in the front, water saving appliances, and WaterSense faucets and shower head.

I've also planted for butterflies, birds and bees. Watching the humming birds in the backyard is a treat!

The reason I have a small electric bill is due to my EV. I hadn't experienced a summer of owning an EV to know how much electricity I would use to size my solar system. AND my water heater is now 11 years old. I'm looking forward to the day the water heater DIES so I can install a heat pump water heater, which will help to keep my garage cooler and eliminate the need for the thermal management system from kicking on to cool the battery in my EV!

As an instructor on this topic for realtors in Arizona, it's great to help others work with their clients and achieve these goals. There are very few of us who walk the walk in real estate and sustainability in Arizona. Make sure you use a knowledgeable professional if you are buying or selling high performance homes!

Happy reading! Feel free to reach out to me with questions and comments!