Build a Net Zero House in Bellingham
Bellingham has a moderate climate and rooftop solar panels can supply the energy required to heat a home in winter & cool that home in summer.
1. Bellingham has a moderate climate
With an average of 3.5 hours of sunshine a day, Bellingham is an ideal place to build a net zero home. Surprisingly, 10kW of rooftop solar panels can supply the energy required to heat a 2000sf house in winter, and cool that house in summer.
The stabilizing presence of the Pacific Ocean maintains moderate temperatures, ensuring Bellingham doesn’t suffer the weather extremes experienced in other parts of the USA. With wintertime averages of 48 degrees, only 20 degrees of heating is needed to get to a comfortable 68 degrees inside.
Summertime averages vary between 70 and 80 degrees. Some folks want air conditioning & others do not. Either way, little energy is needed and that energy can be made on the roof of a net zero house.
2. Land has recently become available
The Middle Housing ordinance came into effect in Bellingham in late 2025. The new ordinance allows construction of additional houses in the backyard of any existing home zoned ‘Residential Single’, which is a lot of lots!
Lowering housing costs and making more land available is the goal of the Middle Housing code.
Lots zoned ‘Residential Single’ can build 4 additional dwellings in the yard. There are rules but importantly, those additional homes can be condominium-ized so they can be sold separately from each other & the original house.
We will blog more about this next week.
3. Legend Homes has expertise in building net zero homes
Legend Homes has built over 40 Net Zero homes in the Pacific Northwest. The Department of Energy recognizes Legend Homes as a leading force in the construction of net zero homes.
Legend Homes builds net zero homes for same price as conventional custom homes. By directing the design process Legend Homes simplifies the design for efficient construction and then allocates the savings to superior insulation and solar panels.
4. Powerhouse Designs has expertise in designing & permitting net zero homes
The skills needed to design, permit & build a net zero home are all present in the Bellingham area. Legend Homes has a sister company Powerhouse Designs which has designed & permitted over 50 net zero houses.
Landowners can employ Powerhouse Designs to undertake full-service development of a parcel of land for a net zero home:
Planning a site involves managing surveying, locating wells and septic systems, installing grid power, often managing biologist reporting for wetlands, and locating the home on the lot.
Planning a home involves 3d drafting with the homeowners. Importantly, all house designs & all site-work components (i.e. septic system and well) are costed throughout the design process so the design fits the client budget.
When a client is finished with Powerhouse Designs, they will have home plans, all needed permits, & a build contract.
5. Net metering is available
A net zero home in the Pacific Northwest needs a grid connection to send excess summertime solar-panel energy to the grid for immediate use. A net metering agreement with the grid allows summertime energy over-production to be banked and drawn back when needed in the winter. If the summertime production equals the wintertime draw, then the house is net zero.
Washington has a well-developed electrical grid with connections available in most places. There is commitment from PSE, the major electrical utility, to continue fairly priced net metering.
Still have questions? Shoot us an email! We’d be more than happy to answer any questions you have!
If you’re interested in learning more about our net zero energy homes or want to get started designing your very own net zero energy home, contact us today! We also offer pre-made net zero energy home plans!
