Thanks to features such as solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and geothermal heating and cooling systems, homes in the a new Austin, Texas, development produce as much energy as they consume.
Realtor.com reports that the master plan community of Whisper Valley is the largest net zero housing development in the nation. The $2 billion community has 7,500 houses, townhomes, and rental units, and opens next month.
The community will have a geothermal-heated community pool, electrical vehicle charging stations, community gardens, and hiking and biking trails.
Until recently, net-zero houses have been sporadically built on single lots, or in small subdivisions. But rising energy costs combined with widespread concerns over environmental damage and global warming have given the concept a big boost.
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