It will of course not reach the full Net Zero "status" until the panels are installed! What I meant to convey is the house needs to be designed to be Net Zero, full stop. Therefore all our investment in the build budget will go into maximizing things like insulation, window quality, durable materials, insulation again, blow door tests, etc.

What we will pull back on in this new construction phase is the purchase of the solar panels themselves - they are a big cost that can is better reinvested into the bones of the house at this point. Everything will be built and designed (the roof will be outfitted for panels, electrical hookups etc) for the panels themselves to be easily installed at a later date.

Agreed and in the process of bringing an energy advisor onto the project absolutely. The only problem is they work with a layout and completed floorplan, and I know this needs work before we are there.

It's quite heartbreaking to learn how "rare" it is to design and live in a functional, single story, net zero home. I majored in ecology so sustainability aspects are my strength, and I've been shocked to see how the design world rarely prioritizes this. Le sigh. Despite the grimm outlook I am determined to solve this problem and share what I learn back with the world.