search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!

The Net Zero Home

By Tom Watts
September 17, 2010
The rising cost of monthly energy bills might be a thing of the past thanks to a home that essentially sustains itself. 

The Dow Chemical Company held a press conference in Bay City, Mich., to introduce people to its Vision Zero home, which is designed to use 60 percent to 70 percent less energy than a conventional home. 


The rising cost of monthly energy bills might be a thing of the past thanks to a home that essentially sustains itself.

Vision Zero - a home that uses up to 70 percent less energy than a conventional home - could even result in eliminating monthly energy bills entirely.

The U.S. Department of Energy defines a net-zero energy home as one that uses about 60 percent to 70 percent less energy than a typical home, with the balance of its energy needs supplied by renewable technologies.

It is essentially a home that sustains itself, energy-wise. That doesn’t mean that it is “off the grid,” as it may use some energy from the local utility.

A net-zero energy home generates the bulk of its own energy and makes enough extra energy to sell it back to the utility through “net metering,” offsetting the amount purchased, officials from The Dow Chemical Company said during a recent press conference in Bay City, Mich., that served as an Open House for Vision Zero.

Because of the energy-efficient products used in a net-zero energy home and because it requires so little energy from the utility companies, net-zero energy homes also have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

Energy Efficiency Technology

The use of readily available energy efficiency technologies from Midland, Mich.-based Dow Chemical in the net-zero energy home is expected to save $3,507 in energy costs and avert 44,855 pounds of CO2 annually, according to Dow officials.

The net-zero energy home project is another example of Dow’s collaboration with partners like Cobblestone Builders - a Great Lakes Bay region homebuilder focused on energy efficiency - and the State of Michigan to meet the shared goal of increasing the nation’s energy security, creating jobs and addressing the goal of combating climate change.

“As a world leader in applied chemistry, Dow is uniquely positioned to provide real-life solutions to address some of the world’s most pressing energy challenges,” said Doug May, Dow’s vice president of energy, climate change and alternative feedstocks. “The Vision Zero home utilizes a variety of energy solutions from Dow and is proof that homeowners can affordably enjoy all the comforts of the modern home, with a reduced environmental impact and still achieve a net-zero utility bill.”

The home also represents an important proof point for the progress of Michigan and the region to become a technology leader in both the creation and application of next generation building systems and technologies. It aligns with Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s vision for Michigan to be at the forefront nationally in the effort to promote a new clean energy economy and programs leading to good jobs.

The home also features a solar array on the rear of the home. 

Solar Shingles

Vision Zero was built using a variety of insulation and sealant materials from Dow to produce an energy-efficient building envelope.

Photovoltaic and geothermal technologies, including the new Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingle, were incorporated to power the home. It’s the first Zero Energy Home to have Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles installed and in operation.

“Did you ever think shingles could power your house?” Cobblestone co-founder Melissa Wahl asked those in attendance at the press conference announcing the opening of the home.

The new Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles provides weather protection like asphalt shingles, while harnessing the power of the sun to offset a portion of the home’s energy usage.

“The solar shingle product will launch in mid 2011 with the thrust of the launch in the top solar markets like California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina,” said Dan Pezolt, Dow Solar Solutions Product Director. “We will continue to expand our reach to other markets as well.”

More Renewable Resources

Cobblestone Homes has also incorporated a wide range of products from a number of other leading suppliers that will conserve energy or harness renewable resources to keep the Vision Zero home comfortable, while meeting the zero-energy threshold.

The house uses geothermal heat pumps to heat and cool the home, solar water heating systems to provide hot water, as well as LED light bulbs and ultra-high efficiency appliances that can be found throughout the house.

When you combine the energy-efficient insulation materials, energy-saving appliances, geothermal energy and solar power, you get a net-zero energy home - a home that essentially sustains itself.

“For years, we’ve been a leading advocate for energy-efficient, healthy and environmentally friendly homes here in Michigan,” said Mark Wahl, co-owner of Cobblestone Homes. “Our collaboration with Dow to build the Vision Zero home provides us with a unique opportunity to educate consumers and the industry about the attainability of net-zero energy homes. It will serve as a real-world example that net-zero is achievable, affordable and replicable, even in harsh Northern climates.”

The Vision Zero house, located in Bay City, Mich., will also be an educational center for builders and consumers for one year, providing tours, training, and hands-on demonstrations.

A More Efficient World

The companies behind the Vision Zero project are committed to developing sustainable solutions to help improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Dow Chemical Company’s sustainable technologies include building insulation and sealants to reduce air infiltration and improve thermal performance, as well as heat transfer fluids and photovoltaic shingles that enable homeowners to capture the earth’s renewable energy. It was the first to market with new zero ozone-depleting, no-VOC blowing agent foaming technology for its STYROFOAM Brand. The company was named the 2008 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, and it has garnered six U.S. Presidential Green Chemistry Awards

Cobblestone Homes has been building energy-efficient, healthy, and environmentally friendly homes in mid-Michigan since Mark and Melissa Wahl founded the company in 2000.

According to Mark Wahl, the company is loyal to products that work, from large corporations, such as Dow Chemical and Dow Corning, to a lighting store in Bay City to a Midland tile company. “We try to capitalize on local and state products when possible,” he said. “Partnerships are formed with companies like Dow that want to showcase their products in a successful project.”

The company has dedicated itself to building affordable quality homes that help preserve these resources and leave a lighter environmental footprint, and Melissa Wahl points to the Vision Zero home as proof of that commitment.

“Have you ever wanted to see the future ahead of time?” she asked. “The home of tomorrow is here today.”

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Tom Watts is the associate editor of Roofing Contractor. He can be reached at 248-244-1738 or wattst@bnpmedia.com. 

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Roofing Contractor Group Publisher Jill Bloom

    Physics, the Power of Authenticity and You

    In February's Publisher's Note, Jill Bloom describes a...
    Editor's Note
    By: Jill Bloom
  • The Family Food Fare supermarket in Midland, Mich.

    ‘Rooftop Ninja’ Discovered Living on Roof, Inside Grocery Sign

    A bizarre tale out of Midland, Mich.: a woman dubbed the...
    Roofing News
    By: Bryan Gottlieb
  • A before and after heat measurement comparison

    How Hot is Too Hot in the Attic?

    If the ventilation is working, how hot should the attic...
    Sustainable Roofing
    By: Paul Scelsi
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • An overhead view of a residential block
    Sponsored byCBIZ CompuData

    From Spreadsheets to Strategy: How Roofing Companies Can Transform Financial Operations

  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

  • A hand holding a wooden block that reads 'EVOLVE'
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Embracing Change: A New Era for the Roofing Industry

Popular Stories

Agentes de ICE arrestaron a casi una docena de empleados de una empresa de techos en Lowell, Massachusetts. Los arrestos son parte de una redada federal más amplia contra la contratación no autorizada y las violaciones migratorias en Boston.

ICE Redondea a Equipo de Techos Afuera de Boston

QXO CEO Brad Jacobs will share the company’s strategic vision today at the Wolfe Research Global Transportation & Industrials Conference in New York following its acquisition of Beacon Roofing Supply..

QXO’s Brad Jacobs Charts Growth at Wolfe Research Conference

Florida has become the focal point for construction-site raids, attracting national attention and altering labor dynamics throughout the industry.

Florida Emerges as the Epicenter of ICE Raids

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event

Related Articles

  • Contractor Profile: Jeff Kaliner, Power Home Remodeling Group

    See More
  • Contractor Profile: Nick Yadron, M&M Home Remodeling Services

    See More
  • Sal Ferro Alure Home Improvements

    Contractor Profile: Sal Ferro, Alure Home Improvements

    See More
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing