Together, we can build the future of housing - Our partnership with Grow Community was featured in the New York Times in the article Energy-Efficient Isn’t Enough, So Homes Go ‘Net Zero’ as a project incorporating all-electric, Net Zero Ready technology. Read more about our Bainbridge Island partnership here.
Contributed by Emily Butterfield and Ryan Nieto
For blackberry lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and baseball fans, summer is a cherished time in the Pacific Northwest. It is also a time cherished by Green Canopy Net Zero Energy homeowners whose solar panels are performing at their highest potential. As the sunnier months are rolling through, some exciting trends are emerging regarding the energy that our homes consume and produce.
The energy production of our three homes with solar panels was almost enough to offset the total consumption of all 15 homes combined!
We are currently tracking the energy data from 15 of our homes in Seattle and Portland, thanks to homeowners who have generously opted into sharing this information directly from their Sense home energy monitoring systems with us. Of these homes, 3 of them are currently producing solar power, and in June we found that the energy produced from their solar panels was almost enough to offset the total consumption of all 15 homes combined!
This is the idea of Net Zero Energy; some months will allow solar panels produce more energy than is consumed, like in the spring and summer, and some months energy consumption will surpass production. Over the course of the calendar year, it will balance out to be zero energy since the extra energy produced can be banked with the local utility as credit to offset the winter months when the sun is lower on the horizon and shining less.
The potential for net zero solar energy in the Pacific Northwest may seem far-fetched considering its reputation as a haven for clouds and rain. However, Western Washington and Oregon actually receive more solar energy than Germany – currently one of the leading producers of solar power despite their annual solar resources being comparable to that of Alaska. Our long summer days and mild climate allows solar panels to function at a higher level of efficiency than many regions. Plus, rain and clouds aren’t even all bad – energy is still produced on overcast days, and a regular shower cleans the panels.
As our tracking continues, we anticipate learning more from emerging trends, which will help us refine our processes in building highly energy efficient homes. Even though not all our homes produce solar energy, the tools and systems in place in every Green Canopy home allow them to consume significantly less than the average home, continuing the shift towards a carbon-free lifestyle and energy market. We hope to not only improve our systems, but with Sense, we seek to also empower homeowners with a better understanding of how their day-to-day habits connect to their energy usage, in turn helping them make informed decisions on the ways they live within their home.
Contributed by Alexa Ashley
Green Canopy's first net-zero energy home is now available on the market. This home is the first of it's kind in Magnolia with only a handful being listed on the NWMLS in the last 20 years. Green Canopy's Accounting Manager, Jen Trujillo remarks, "I didn't realize how few houses like this there are." The Company has been building a diverse range of homes (including single-family, townhomes, rowhouses, net-zero ready houses) in Seattle since 2009 and this project is their first net-zero energy home, which includes solar panels.
Green Canopy believes that net-zero energy homes are the future and will become the standard for new construction since they are more sustainable, comfortable and resilient. Project Manager, Wilson Deaton explains, "It's exciting because net-zero is really the pinnacle of green building... you can build as green as you want but until you get to a place where you're not using any energy in a house, then you haven't quite gotten there. If you can build a house that uses no energy, then you've completely switched the math when it comes to how much pollution you put out and how much carbon goes into the atmosphere – and that's the goal."
In the past, net-zero energy homes have been more expensive than similar homes, but Green Canopy has been able to offer this home within the normal market range by staying on budget (1.8% budget deviation compared to the industry standard of 13%) and implementing strict quality control checklists. The project manager, Valeriy Korol, who carried this project to completion says, "I think as a company we have a pretty good strategy (as to) why we're building the house. It's not about money, we're Green Canopy. We're trying to improve the world. We're changing the world. So... it's a small step overall, but it's a step to save energy, to think about the future of your kids and the future of the world."
The high-performing ventilation systems in these homes also provide a more healthy indoor environment as Deaton explains, "you have ERVs (energy recovery ventilators) and HRVs (heat recovery ventilators) so you can change the air and make sure you get enough fresh air... not to mention when you build Built Green 4 star or 5 star you're always using building materials that have less chemicals in them. Less harmful chemicals."
The project was recently listed, with it's first public open house and class to help brokers and buyers understand the benefits of net-zero and solar power. When asked why this project is exciting, Chief Financial Officer, Andy Wolverton, responds, "It feels like the next step. In the last few years... our quality has improved, our process has improved but what we're building hasn't changed all that much as it relates to our mission and this is evidence of that. Going another leap forward."
Thank you to all of of the Green Canopy partners who have helped make this leap possible including but not limited to: Northwest Electric & Solar, Van Wyck & Porter, Evergreen Certified, Performance Insulation, Built Green, and Tesla.
f you have questions about this property, would like to schedule a showing, or be informed of upcoming Green Canopy projects, email info@greencanopy.com
This home features:
- Soaring views with expansive rooftop deck
- Built Green 5 Star certification
- Clean lines with open spaces
- Lots of natural light
- 5 bedrooms
- 4 bathrooms
- 3,643 square feet
as well as net-zero technology which includes:
- Energy recovery ventilator to properly ventilate while providing highest air quality
- Solar panels that have the ability to fully power your home and eliminate energy bills
- Sense energy monitoring system which allows you to see how your energy is being used
- Ducted mini-split heat pump with AC for comfort
- High-performance weatherproof construction
- Smart home technology
- Induction range
- EV-ready
MLS #1211653
