Let us help you.
ZED works with homeowners, property managers, contractors, architects and developers to achieve low energy, and zero-energy, homes that are healthy, comfortable, safe, and sustainable, through the new build process and renovation. We offer consultation services, project supervision, energy modeling, energy systems design, and testing for grid tied and off grid single and multi-family residences.
What does zero energy mean?
Meeting most, or all, of your energy needs with photovoltaic energy derived directly from the sun, while utilizing the utility grid with net metering, a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid in times of plentiful sun and high solar production, for use in times of no sun and low solar production. This can be enhanced by using battery backup for short term grid unavailability, and avoiding usage time, utility charges, giving the homeowner energy security and substantial savings over time.
How we do it.
ZED designs, builds and renovates houses as a system with interdependent components designed to act together as a whole. We begin with the building envelope or enclosure as the primary component upon which we build. We add to that the mechanical systems that provide comfort and functionality for the occupants and add on-site solar to harvest energy to power the structure. The building enclosure is the primary system component that offers energy conservation and economical operational costs and is paramount in delivering a healthy environment, while ensuring safety, durability and comfort. A quality building enclosure allows the use of much smaller, more efficient heating, cooling and fresh air systems, creating a smaller energy footprint, as well as a healthy, safe and comfortable indoor environment.
New construction
Design and build.
We design and build houses in a manner that is more sustainable than common practice in the building industry. We aim to satisfy the triple bottom line, creating value for all stakeholders: people, planet and profit.
We build taking into consideration the environmental impacts of sourcing materials, construction, house operation and the eventual de-construction, re-use and re-cycling of the resources used in the structure. We also consider the functionality of the structure for the occupants such as health, comfort, safety, economics and convenience. Durability and longevity play a tremendous role in the long term sustainability of the structure and the community into which it is built. We assure, through the careful design process, unsurpassed durability and longevity. Our mission is to build the best possible house while reducing the carbon footprint and providing outstanding value to our clients, paying our labor force a living wage and recovering a profit.
Build your designs.
We are happy to work with your architect and/or can rework a pre-existing plan set to achieve some degree of green building and energy independence depending on the original design, sitting and budget.
Manage your building project.
We will obtain permits, create a schedule, hire contractors, oversee your project from original concept through to final commissioning. We will coordinate your entire building project allowing you any amount of involvement you are comfortable with. We can reduce your overall building expenses by allowing you to serve as the general contractor while we handle the tasks of managing sub-contractors, keeping on budget and schedule, insuring quality control, inspection completion and testing performance.
Retrofit your home
Eliminate air leakage, insulate sufficiently, and reduce thermal bridging from the building envelope. Choose and install mechanical systems sized to integrate with your newly efficient building envelope.
Integrate on-site photovoltaic modules into your existing electrical service, which will be sized to meet your projected energy demands. Photovoltaic energy systems have no moving parts and produce energy for more than twenty years with little maintenance.
You get secure, safe, free, clean energy from the sun.
Electrical storage using cutting edge battery systems can be integrated easily to provide back up power during grid outages or to provide off-grid independence.
Sound good?