MDE

ZeroNet: Nurturing Homeowners toward Efficient Homes

Advised by Jock Herron (GSD)

Buildings and construction account for 28 percent of global carbon emissions, and the energy demand is expected to keep growing. It is often cheaper to meet energy demands through energy efficiency measures than through the provision of alternative, greener energy supplies, since it is costly and takes time to build large-scale energy infrastructure. LEED+ and technological innovation in building materials and construction work for new buildings, but the flipside is improving existing buildings to make them more efficient.

To drive adoption, many organizations and initiatives issue rebates, incentives, and services. These tools are already out there, but there are unaddressed gaps between knowledge and action that make home improvement a nightmare for homeowners. This project aims to accelerate home energy- efficiency measures and action at scale, from the perspective of homeowners working together with existing tools and partners to streamline the process, proposing attainable steps to ease the transition to more efficient homes and align with local climate action plans.