Root River House: A Net-Zero Project

Labor of Love

by Zola client, Nancy North

A few years ago we looked for a place to renovate, came up short, and decided to build. Our goal was a functional, durable home, built with respect for the environment in which we live. We were “energy-aware”, so a goal from the start was to be net-zero – to produce as much energy as we use, if not more. We were also committed to reusing, bringing in local products and services whenever possible, and staying within a budget. We made the decision to “pay it forward” however, choosing methods, components and materials that should hold up over time, reduce energy consumption, remain classic, and minimize maintenance.

We knew about Passive House building methods and its focus on minimizing energy use, so sought a Passive House certified architect. Christi Weber of Design Coalition in Madison, Wisconsin listened and made the most of our 1500 square feet.

Building the house has been a true adventure…a long one! During this deep winter week in February, the final 10″ of dense-packed cellulose insulation is being installed. We’ve decided not to actively pursue Passive House certification, but the house will function like a Passive House in every practical way. This means we super-insulate, drastically minimize air leakage and let the sun do the work of warming the house through our beautiful Zola windows!

A joyful part of this project is the network of people that’s growing through contractors and subcontractors, suppliers, logistics, our blog, and people in our hyper-local, regional and far-flung communities. We’re all learning, and the satisfaction of creating something together for the common good resonates in the house. And soon, we’ll be able to call this home.

This super energy-efficient home features windows and doors from Zola’s Thermo Clad line.

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