I hear it often. “That’s a Net-Zero Energy Home?”
My response? “What did you expect it to look like?”

I honestly understand, I do. Just google search the words “Net-Zero Energy Home” (NZEH) and you’re likely to see renderings of contemporary metal boxes designed as part of a school project. Our real life experience is far different. Home designer Dave Jenkins designed the first true production-built Net-Zero Energy Home in Florida 2009, and has been designing these “firsts” ever since. And every NZEH had to look great, perfectly suited to the neighborhood they reside in.

Even so, designing the first NZEH at the exclusive coastal town of Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island was a real thrill. The custom clients informed us that they wanted a certified NZEH several months into construction. Now that did make building a one-in-a-million super energy-efficient home more challenge! Since a south facing solar array is critical to optimized PV efficiency, we normally like to know Net-Zero is the client’s goal before the lot is purchased. To optimize their efficiency, the solar PV array needs to face as close to due south as possible. After all, paying more for solar panels then necessary for a Net-Zero Energy Home certification defeats the purpose of building energy-efficient homes, doesn’t it?

Fortunately Safety Harbor Builders, always committed to customer satisfaction and best building practices, was imminently qualified and up to the challenge. The luxury builder’s project manager Rusty, is also as good and as dedicated as it gets. The “net” result? The 2917 sq. ft., gorgeous coastal cottage scored a MINUS 27 HERS, or in other words, it produces 27% more energy than it uses.

The customers love their new home and are pleasantly surprised that their home can also “fuel” their electric vehicles - at no extra charge! We love designing homes for such awesome and forward thinking clients!

Boca Grande’s own Gasparilla Magazine published a Jan-Feb issue article titled Net Zero Homes featuring our “Primrose.” See much more of this gorgeous home in the WJHD Portfolio.