Zero Energy Home Dallas

Spanning from the heart of north Texas all the way up to Oklahoma’s southern border, the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area continues to slowly ooze outward by the day. Already the 8^th largest city in the United States, Dallas is still growing, enticing new residents with a relatively resilient economy and its major city amenities. In order to keep up with the expansion, new buildings and structures go up almost overnight, a practice that when not done responsibly and carefully can be among the most environmentally damaging processes in a cities development. From building design to construction to operation, the energy using impact of erecting new edifices is greater than that found in any other facet of our economy. As the Metroplex continues to sprawl in all directions, lawmakers have undergone efforts in hopes that Dallas will keep the environment in mind, hopefully paving the way in green energy initiatives among America’s largest urban centers.In 2003, Dallas adopted the “Green Building Program,” a proposed city wide effort to increase the construction of green buildings, structures that save energy and water in addition to lowering greenhouse emissions and waste output. The plan also provides for the renovation and upgrading of older buildings that have a markedly negative impact on the city’s energy use, reducing their substantial carbon footprint. Today, the process is well underway with the passage of a green construction ordinance in 2008. Phase I of the ordinance began in 2009, placing more strict requirements on homebuilders to meet responsible energy criteria. New homes must be 15 more efficient than what the base energy code provides, while also meeting four out of six water reduction strategies. Phase II, which will go into effect in 2011, calls for 20 water reduction and 17.5 improved efficiency in new homes. Commercial builders are also affected under both phases of the ordinance, with their own set of contingencies for construction. These limitations are similar in scope to the residential requirements and are dependent upon the size of the proposed new building.