Could net-zero housing be the next big thing here in Richmond? With EarthCraft Virginia on the rise, Richmonders could soon be saving energy and maybe even a little bit of cash from their bills.
Could net-zero housing be the next big thing here in Richmond? With EarthCraft Virginia on the rise, Richmonders could soon be saving energy and maybe even a little bit of cash from their bills.
“It’s basically a building that produces as much energy as it used in the previous year,” said Phillip Agee, the technical manager at EarthCraft Virginia, who works to make buildings net-zero, or energy neutral. “The certification program is a process of steps with a project team that works on low energy design and construction best practices to deliver the most high performance residential buildings on the market.”
EarthCraft Virginia was established in 2006 and is now one of the largest regional green building programs in the country. They are known for their mission of advancing sustainable, affordable and energy efficient construction through education and technical support. Within the last couple of years, EarthCraft has launched a third-party net-zero certification program that is starting to take off here in Richmond.
The most obvious plus to net-zero housing is the environmental benefit it brings. And while the idea may not be appealing to a homeowner on a budget; the money saved down the road could make all the difference.
“It obviously can cost a bit to get started and running. Of course, the size of the house and weather also plays a big role with heat and AC,” said Agee, “But it’s all about producing energy and saving money in the long run. And it’s not just up to the house; the homeowner has to be capable of managing it as well.”
Here in Richmond, the Somanath Senior Apartments was the first net-zero energy building for lower-income individuals in the state at the time when it was first built. Greta Harris, President and CEO of the Better Housing Coalition, was involved with getting the building certified and said it was important to consider all aspects of construction before heading down the net-zero path.
“Choose experienced partners – architects, engineers, builders and energy advisors,” Harris said over email. “Collaborate with high-quality manufacturers that fabricate high-efficiency products. Be open to following their recommendations closely, and be prepared for frequent inspections. Build a margin for unexpected costs into the budget.”
Harris also spoke about the success their award-wining Somanath Senior Apartments have had since it opened last summer. “We are creating an infrastructure that allows more seniors to age in place with dignity in a safe, healthy environment – that’s what success looks like to us.”
Miranda Beckam, a Richmond local, has family that lives in the Somanath Senior Apartments in the Church Hill area. She said the net-zero aspect doesn’t affect her when she visits her grandmother.
“It doesn’t harm daily routines in any way,” said Beckam. “I visit my grandma all the time and it’s honestly just another apartment that happens to be a lot more efficient than other places she could be living in. And we all know a lot of the buildings in Richmond aren’t always new or green, so I really appreciate that.”
EarthCraft Virginia also offers training to give an opportunity for folks to learn about the benefits of EarthCraft certification, learn more about the net-zero housing, and get valuable information on cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency.
Two courses are posted for December and January and more information can be found on their website.
“With the way this place runs, I could really see this kind of technology and construction expanding in Richmond over the next few years,” said Agee. “People just have to be more aware of it.”
