Zero – that’s the balance of energy produced and consumed. Zero-energy houses are said to be the houses of the future. We say that future is already here. What is a zero-energy house and when is it worth building one?
Key Takeaways
- A zero-energy home aims for a net-zero annual energy balance, combining very low heat loss, heat recovery, and its own renewable energy production.
- Initially, it can be more expensive than a standard house, but in the long term it can reduce operating costs and bring savings.
- Key decisions are made when choosing the plot and design: orientation to the sun, simple form, and thoughtful glazing minimize energy demand.
- Every zero-energy house is passive, but not every passive house achieves a “zero” balance — the difference lies in the relationship between energy production and consumption.
- Heating is based mainly on internal gains, sun, and heat recovery, while the plus-energy variant (heliotrop) can generate surpluses.
What is a Zero-Energy House (Energy-Efficient House)?
A zero-energy house is not just about saving on energy. Such a house primarily provides enormous independence. You don’t have to worry about electricity or heat price increases, or energy supplier problems.
How much Does it Cost to Build a Zero-Energy House?
It should be assumed that building a zero-energy house will be 20-45% more expensive than a standard house .
And although building such a house is more expensive, the investment will pay off over the following years. Moreover – you can earn money on the excess energy produced by the house by simply selling it. A zero-energy house is actually a proposition for anyone who values functionality and environmental care.
If we look at any list of pros and cons of a zero-energy house – we usually see only one on the cons side: higher price. In our opinion, however, it’s worth approaching this differently – it’s an investment in quality, our contribution to caring for the environment, and most importantly – an expense that will pay off, because we won’t be affected by any electricity or heat bills.
This includes the cost of materials that must have the best heat transfer coefficients and solutions that will allow for energy savings. It’s also equipping the house with energy-saving and energy-producing devices. How ingenious these solutions can be is shown, for example, by the possibility of using water consumed during laundry. In a zero-energy house, it won’t be wasted, but firstly, it can be used to store heat, and after cooling, it can be used, for example, in the toilet flush.
Importantly, when we talk about money – you can obtain funding for solutions related to alternative energy sources (it’s worth checking in your municipality).
Is a Zero-Energy House for Everyone?
In fact, you need to think about a zero-energy house already at the stage of choosing a plot for construction. Everything is of colossal importance here, because it’s about, among other things, allowing our house to maximize the use of terrain, and thus primarily solar energy.
The design stage is crucial – just look at the photos of zero-energy and passive houses (we’ll explain what this means in a moment) to immediately see the huge difference between such a house and a traditional one.
Modern Simplicity – Zero-Energy House Design
Modern simplicity rules here. There will be no unnecessary details or balconies and bay windows. All this to avoid losing heat – and thus energy.
This doesn’t mean that zero-energy house designs are boring rectangular structures. On the contrary. Designers outdo each other to make their houses modern, attractive, and at the same time perfectly integrated into the surroundings.
Here, the arrangement of individual rooms and the house’s positioning is always decided by… the sun. The living room will be on the south side – to maximize the use of daylight. There are usually a lot of glazing here, unlike the north side, which is most often fully built up. That’s where bathrooms or technical rooms are located, for example. The lighting of such a house relies primarily on daylight during the day (such as solar tubes), and in the evening, among other things, on phosphorescent lighting and LED bulbs, which need one-third less energy than traditional ones.
Zero-energy House vs. Passive House?
A zero-energy house will always be a passive house, but a passive house won’t always be a zero-energy house. The key issues here are energy acquisition and consumption.
We can say figuratively that a zero-energy house is the ideal, and a passive house is striving for near-ideal savings in the amount of primary energy we’ll use to heat our house.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Building a Passive House – Energy Demand
If we look at a traditional house, the energy demand is about 120 kWh/(m²/year). A passive house has an annual heating energy demand of no more than 15 kWh/(m²/year)! This means that during the heating season, 15 kWh is needed to heat one square meter of living space, which corresponds to burning 1.5 l of heating oil, or 1.7 m³ of natural gas or 2.3 kg of coal. A zero-energy house will produce or recover all energy by itself. Sounds great, right?
Heating Zero-Energy Houses
Someone might ask, but how exactly is this house heated? The main heating factor for the building will be its residents, operating electrical devices, solar heat, and heat recovery from ventilated air and its reheating. These are installations thought out in every detail, thanks to which simply nothing will be wasted here.
Zero-energy House or Maybe a Heliotrope (an Investment that Generates a Surplus)?
We mentioned a surplus of energy at the beginning. So if we are to be precise, if the house produces a surplus, it will be a plus-energy house, or a heliotrope. The first such building in the world was built in 1994 in Freiburg, Germany. It was created by Rolf Disch. The house uses many solutions, one of the more interesting ones is the possibility of… rotating. The house rotates towards the sun, thanks to which, regardless of the season and the sun’s position, the interior of the building is well-lit and heated by natural light. However, heliotropes are still rare, and here we can really talk about the construction of the future.
Zero-energy Wooden Houses: for Yourself and for the Environment
By building a zero-energy house, you’re doing something good not only for yourself (measurable savings over the years) but also for the Earth. Energy self-sufficiency means using modern solutions, but above all, drawing from the wisdom of nature and building with respect for it. If you use alternative sources (e.g., photovoltaic panels and wind turbines) to produce electricity, your house will have zero carbon dioxide emissions.
It’s modern and at the same time very prestigious.
Cost of Building a Zero-Energy House – Summary
Do you dream of a zero-energy house? Contact us. At Partner Mobile Homes, we’ll help you fulfill this dream, and our specialists offer advice from the stage of choosing a plot for such a house, through appropriate design, and finally building such a house.
Photovoltaic panels, heat pump, prefabricated house assembly? Don’t worry about anything!
For years, we’ve been building passive structures, durable and comfortable construction projects. As an investor, you should know that before you start laying foundations, and even before you buy a plot, you should already think about renewable energy sources and technologies (insulation, heat recovery, photovoltaics). At Partner we’ll help you take care of all this. This is our standard, regardless of what square meters you have in mind.
If you have more questions, please contact us. We will answer all your questions. For a home valuation or any questions, please contact us; we’ll be happy to help:
Phone numbers:
- phone: +48 91 462 17 56
- phone: +48 512 127 479
Email:
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
How Does a Zero-Energy House Differ from a Passive House?
A zero-energy house produces as much energy as it consumes annually (balance ≈ 0), while a passive house “only” radically reduces energy needs — it doesn’t have to fully cover them with its own production.
How much Does Building a Zero-Energy House Cost Compared to a Standard one?
Roughly, you should expect about 20–45% more during the construction phase, which can pay off during operation.
Where to Start Planning Such a House?
First with the plot and concept: positioning relative to the sun, protection against heat loss, and thoughtful room layout determine later efficiency.
What Does the Architectural Design of a Zero House Look like?
Simple forms without unnecessary thermal bridges dominate; the living area usually faces south with larger glazing, while “cold” rooms are on the north side.
How are Zero-Energy Houses Heated?
They use heat from residents and appliances, solar gains, and heat recovery from ventilation with possible additional heating — so nothing is wasted.
Can You Earn Money from Energy Surpluses and What is a Heliotrop?
A plus-energy house (heliotrop) produces energy surplus; a classic example is a building that rotates following the sun, maximizing gains.
Is a Wooden Zero-Energy House “more Ecological”?
Yes — when using renewable energy sources, it can achieve zero CO₂ emissions during operation and reduce environmental footprint through materials and energy-efficient solutions.
Are there Funding Options Available?
It’s worth checking local support programs (e.g., municipal) regarding renewable energy and energy efficiency.
