Z Home

   What an exciting experience visiting the Z-Home in Issaquah was! I have read and learned about sustainability and energy usage strategies, but to see it in a real space was a wonderful, and very educational time. The Z-Home definitely surpassed anything I had envisioned for this type of home. Initially the project looks like an upscale condominium or apartment complex. There is beautiful landscaping, and garden areas outside. I learned that the gardens, pavers and even the concrete used for the back driveways are all sustainable and eco-friendly. The concrete is porous, so the rain water can be absorbed into the ground, creating less runoff.

   Inside the home is equally impressive. There are beautiful, sustainable finishes everywhere, even the window are made of fiberglass frames, a strategy to create cleaner air in the home. It is really true in this home, that the beauty is deep within. It is considered a net-zero home, which means that there are no utility bills. They do this with solar panels on the roof of each residence, geo-thermal heating, and energy efficiency built into every square inch.  I learned that in these homes there is typically a small utility bill in the winter, but it is offset by the summer, when they are able to sell back energy to the power grid. It is a very informative, educational experience, and I think this is the building of the future. At least, I hope it will be.