Net zero energy demonstration house moving to net zero water operation

While net zero energy for homes has been growing in popularity, net zero water use is the next frontier for high performance homes.

The  ReNEWW House (Retrofit Net zero Energy Water Waste) Initiative is partnership with Whirlpool Corp., Purdue University and Kohler Co., and others to develop a world‐class research laboratory and sustainable living showcase retrofitted from an 87‐year‐old home near Purdue’s campus in West Lafayette, Indiana.

After the home’s inaugural year focused on net‐zero energy, Whirlpool sustainability experts installed water systems that will filter and reuse water throughout the home, eliminating its reliance on the city’s water supply.

Read more about the ReNEWW House project.

At the 2015 Greenbuild Expo, Eric Bowler, a senior engineer at Whirlpool, and Rob Zimmerman, senior manager of sustainability at Kohler, reviewed the net zero water initiatives at the home.

“We expect the ReNEWW House to provide Kohler and Whirlpool with new insights on how people use water, and the energy associated with that water, in their normal routines,” Zimmerman said. “The project will allow us to gain a deeper understanding of how our products can be improved and how user behavior can contribute to higher levels of water efficiency.”

Read more about green home remodeling projects.