Imagine living in a house that produces as much energy as it consumes; a house unaffected by power failures or ice storms?

That house is now a reality. The Alstonvale Net Zero Energy House, under construction in Hudson, Que. will demonstrate the attainability of a net-zero energy lifestyle without the use of fossil fuels or production of greenhouse gases.

The ANZEH was one of 12 winners chosen in 2007 by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s nationwide EQuilibrium initiative, a sustainable housing program launched in 2006 and geared to net-zero emissions of carbon dioxide.

The merits of the proposals were measured on the basis of how well they achieve: Net-zero energy consumption, a healthy indoor environment, a reduction in resource consumption, a low impact on the environment, affordability and the potential to build a similar house elsewhere in Canada.

Six of the houses have already been built and the rest are under construction.

When completed in June, the ANZEH house, some 60 kilometres west of Montreal, will be the “poster boy” of environmentally sustainable housing.

“The ANZEH kills two birds with one stone. It converts sunlight to electricity, and usable thermal heat,” explained architect Sevag Pogharian, the head of the ANZEH project. more…