California's first 'net-zero' certified home is a tough sell
Credit: Vicki Thompson
Allen Gilliland says the net zero market is aimed squarely at early adopters. This home lists for $2.2 million.
The energy costs may be zero, but this home is not an easy sell.
With a price tag of $2.2 million, the two-story, four-bedroom and 3½ bathroom structure is the first certified net-zero energy home in the state, according to the California Energy Commission. This means the house makes as much energy as it uses.
The Cottle Zero Energy Home, located in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose, is the project of Allen Gilliand, founder of One Sky Homes. This is the company’s first zero-net build. The two-person firm normally specializes in retrofits and custom homes.
Gilliand calls the Cottle home his company’s four-year-long “R&D project” and plans to build more net-zero energy houses in the future.
“You have to tread carefully in this particular market. It’s not a solid one yet,” he said.
“We’re looking at the early adopter market, there’s no question about it,” Gilliland said. “Most of the people who contact us tend to be Silicon Valley technical professionals, 30- to 40-something, who value sustainable building concepts” and are willing to pay the 15-percent premium for a net-zero energy house.
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