Zero net energy buildings will be the subject of a workshop at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 26 in the Northfield Public Library (210 Washington St.) meeting room. Concern about rising energy prices, future fuel availability, and the environmental impacts of building energy consumption have led to development of construction techniques that make it possible to use little or no energy other than that produced on-site. Energy efficient construction, appliances and lighting, coupled with geothermal heating and cooling, solar thermal and solar electric (photovoltaic) technology, and energy efficient mortgage financing, now make it possible to build zero net energy houses that cost little or no more in combined mortgage and utility costs than conventional housing.

Jesse Streitz of Streitz Heating and Cooling will talk about his new home, which incorporates geothermal heating and cooling, photovoltaic and wind systems in an off-grid setting. He will talk about the opportunities for use of these technologies in new and existing housing, and will also discuss corn and pellet stoves, which have become very popular with this heating season’s jump in heating fuel prices.

Bruce Anderson of RENew Northfield will follow Streitz with a discussion of RENew’s plans to organize bulk buys of solar thermal and photovoltaic hardware in cooperation with the state’s foremost solar installer to bring the cost of solar installations down significantly for Northfield area home and business owners.

The workshop, sponsored by RENew Northfield, is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served. For more information, contact RENew.