Solving real problems with smart, builder-friendly tools

The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO₂), the principal greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. The U.S. is the second-largest greenhouse gas emitter annually (after China).

EPA 2018 data:

• Total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions: 5,700 million metric tons
• Of that, 337 million metric tons were produced by residential homes alone

While renewable technologies continue to develop, and as we move toward 2050 goals for decarbonization, we can future-proof our homes today. Well-designed homes help reduce energy needs and remove residential fossil fuel use.

Energy around the world comes from a combination of nuclear power, renewable resources (such as wind, solar, or hydro), and burning fossil fuels. Even electricity on “The Grid” comes from a mix of these sources, varying by location.
U.S. sources of electricity generation in 2020 (per the EIA):

• 60% fossil fuels (gas, coal & petroleum)
• 20% nuclear
• 20% renewables (Up from 17% renewables in 2019)

A Net Zero Home simply generates more electricity than it uses over the course of a year. This is typically achieved through:

• Solar panels
• Careful sizing of HVAC equipment and predicted energy usage

Many homes claim “Net Zero” while still burning fossil fuel, not from BTF. Our HVAC systems are designed to be fossil fuel free. Our homes can also be Zero Carbon should one choose to skip the optional wood burning pellet stove.

We’re reducing wasted energy and fossil fuel use, one home at a time. And we’re not alone—cities and jurisdictions across the country are stepping up. Many are putting in place goals and requirements for net zero homes in the near future. Some examples: 

• U.S. Federal Buildings: All new federal buildings must be zero energy after 2030
• Denver, CO: Net zero energy required in new homes by 2030
• California: All new homes must meet "zero energy ready" code by 2020
• Washington State: Passed a zero energy building code

More states are beginning to follow suit. Net Zero is the future for residential construction. More and more locations requiring that 100% of new homes built by 2030, or sooner, must be Net Zero.

It is already 2025!

Building Net Zero used to involve:

• Expensive materials
• Hiring architects & engineers
• Months of site-specific analysis
• Complicated construction methods

No wonder it cost more than traditional construction.

It took years to develop our stock net zero plans — designed to merge architecture and engineering like never before.  How about a stock net zero home plan that: 

• Uses common building materials, like 2×6 exterior walls
• Comes with all calculations, energy analysis, and system sizing
• Uses geographic data to work with most building sites in the northern half of America & Canada
• Looks normal, honoring historical architectural styles
• Is fast, cheap & easy to build! 

With tons of energy models, solar and electric calculations, and lots of 8760 energy analysis (did we mention it took us thousands of hours to develop these plans?)

Our plans are designed for construction within Climate Zones 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7, and 8, as published by the IECC. See the map on our FAQ Page - https://netzerohomeplans.com/faqs 

Through trial and error – a window here, a wall shift there – we nailed down a home plan that, with minor equipment changes from location to location, can be net zero from Zones 5A to 8.

Our stock plans include the HVAC equipment sizes and selections for construction in each of these zones, and we provide a list of cities/counties to help determine which zone your project is in.

We took the time to include today’s modern needs. Most of our homes have:

• First floor bedrooms, 36" doorways and walk-in showers for aging in place
• Many first floor master suites with private bathrooms
• Home offices for the “work at home” trend
• Storage space, such as kitchen pantries and walk-in closets
• And kitchens with all the fixin’s like islands, pantries, and eat-at counters

BTF runs 8760 Manual J Energy Models. An 8760 energy model is an analysis of a building’s performance every hour, of every day, throughout the entire year. Using actual weather patterns for locations all over the world, an 8760 model produces highly accurate simulations at the highest industry standard. This kind of model is used to:

• Accurately size heating and cooling systems
• Cut initial equipment costs
• Minimize energy usage
• Allow for better system control and long-term efficiency

In our process of trial and error, we learned that historical architectural styles, like the Cape Cod home, were remarkably efficient. It made sense to us that homes of the past would be efficient.

For both heating & building, wouldn’t you like to reduce the number of trees you’d have to hand saw too?!

In our background we’ve seen firsthand the flawed stock plans sold online. We’ve seen furniture drawn half its size to make rooms ‘look big.’ We’ve seen plans where the roof lines are not construct-able. And plans where the stairways between floors, simply don’t line up. You won’t have that from us. 

We’ve gone above and beyond to develop our plans to be contractor friendly and up to par! Our plans meet more than just the IRC. At BTF we work to meet the newest available versions of the following codes & standards (plus a few more not yet listed!): 

International Energy Conservation Codes (IECC)

International Residential Code (IRC)

American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning  Engineers Standard on Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in  Low-Rise Residential Buildings (ASHRAE 62.2)

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Indoor (EPA) AirPLUS
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) - National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) House Simulation Protocols 
• National Program Requirements of Energy Star Certified Homes
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) - Zero Energy Ready Home National Requirements
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Solar Photovoltaic Specification, Checklist & Guide
• California Energy Commission Building Energy Standards - Title 24
• Vermont Residential Building Energy Standard (RBES)
• PGH 2.0 Pretty Good House Design Guidelines 

The newest versions of these codes, standards & requirements, exceed  many local & sate codes currently in place. However - we recommend  you refer to your local building authority.  

Note: Our Net Zero plans are designed for cold climates. 

None  of our Net Zero or HVAC plans are designed for construction in the  following states:  Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Delaware,  Florida , Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma,  South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, or Virginia.

We’ve set the bar high for ourselves – perhaps a new industry standard. Aiming to offer a plan for nearly every family’s needs, we offer you a handful of net zero plans to choose from. Purchase one of our stock plans today!