1. By Anuja Chockalingam Surabhi Satam

2. Eco-Friendly Homes Eco-Friendly: having little or no impact on the Native Eco System. The most extreme eco-friendly houses of the future reduce the environmental impact on the planet and demonstrates how ‘Less means more Quality Living’

3. Zero Energy Design A ZEH combines state-of-the-art, energy efficient construction techniques and equipment with renewable energy systems to return as much energy as it takes on an annual basis. Goal: Reduce carbon footprint Increase energy efficiency

4. Steps to a Successful Zero Design Home 1. Decrease the energy requirements for space heating, cooling and water heating. 2. Increase the efficiency of the furnace (or heat pump), and the air-conditioner. 3. Install a solar hot water pre-heat system, an efficient backup water heater, and an efficient distribution system. 4. Install efficient lighting fixtures. 5. Install efficient appliances. 6. Install a properly sized photovoltaic (PV) system. 7. Turn off lights, computers, and appliances when not in use.

5. Examples.. Googleplex, Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California, completed a 1.6 megawatt photovoltaic campus-wide renewable power generation system. Google (and others) have developed advanced technology for major reductions in computer-server energy consumption (which is becoming a major portion of modern zero-energy commercial building design, along with daylighting and efficient electrical lighting systems).

6. References http://www.zeroenergy.com/index.html http://scienceray.com/biology/ecology/three- extreme-eco-friendly-houses-of-the-future/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-energy_building http://www.toolbase.org/Home-Building-Topics/zero- energy-homes/seven-steps-zeh

7. Thank You