Pinnacle Homes welcomes you to view this Zero Energy Home, built as a real-life laboratory for innovative research in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The goal was to construct a home that approaches a net-zero usage of energy annually by adding renewable energy applications to energy conserving home design.

Pinnacle built two neighboring model homes. Side by side they appear similar, but are actually very different. One was built using conventional methods and the other utilizes a range of innovative energy saving technologies. That is where you stand by – in the Las Vegas Valley 's first Zero Energy Home.

Over an 18-month period, UNLV students and faculty from the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering will monitor the energy performance of the Zero Energy Home and the conventional home next door. Real time data from both homes will enable UNLV to evaluate the energy consumption and cost savings. During the design phase of the project, a student from UNLV performed computer analyses on various energy conservation options. Students have installed comprehensive datalogging equipment in both houses and results of their analyses will be made available online.

The Zero Energy Home is designed to minimize energy consumption and generate electricity through the use of the following features/design elements:

-A highly energy efficient “T-Mass” insulated concrete exterior wall system developed by the Dow Corporation and developed by Precast Technologies.

-A CopperSun solar water heating system looped into the heating system minimizing natural gas consumption for hot water heating.

-A Noritz “tankless” hot water heater.

-Approximately 400 square feet of roof-mounted photovoltaic panels rated at 5.28KW manufactured by GE Energy to generate electricity during low usage periods. Electricity will be fed back onto Nevada Power's grid, helping offset energy use.

-A 19 SEER water-cooled air conditioning condensing unit manufactured by Freus.

-Energy efficient vinyl framed windows with Low “E” glass.

-PolarPly reflective roof sheeting.

-Energy Star rated light fixtures with highly efficient fluorescent bulbs.

-Energy Star rated GE appliances.

Did You Know? Energy Star quick facts:

The average household spends $1,200 each year on their energy bills. By choosing ENERGY STAR qualified products, you can cut this by 30 percent, saving about $400 each year.

The average home is responsible for more air pollunion than the average car.

ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures save you time on the ladder- bulbs need to be changed once every seven years on average, compared with an annual ladder-climb for incandescent light bulbs.

When you choose ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures, you'll use up to two-thirds less energy than standard fixtures, which means big savings for you and the environment.

ENERGY STAR lighting products generate 78 percent less heat than standard incandescent lighting, which keeps you cooler in the summer.

Ceiling fans that earn the ENERGY STAR move air up to 20 percent more efficiently than conventional fans? This means that you'll use less energy to get the same amount of cooling!

Ceiling fans can also be used during the winter! Reverse the motor and operate the fan in the clockwise direction. This re-circulates warm air otherwise trapped near the ceiling allowing you to turn down your thermostat and save money on heating bills.