10 Net Zero Home Features You Need Net zero features are the design choices and systems that let a home produce as much energy as it consumes over a year. For budget-conscious DIY homebuilders, knowing which features deliver the biggest reductions in energy use — and which are best tackled during construction versus as retrofits — makes the difference between chasing performance and meeting it. This guide lays out the 10 essential net zero features, explains how they work together, and gives practical sizing, material, and DIY vs pro guidance so you can prioritize upgrades that actually move the meter. TL;DR: - Focus first on the envelope and heating: tightening and insulating can cut space heating demand by 40–60% in many climates (PHIUS and NREL data support large savings). - Pair a right-sized heat pump with ventilation recovery (HRV/ERV) and smart controls to hit ~70–90% fossil-fuel replacement before adding batteries. - Add PV sized to annual demand, then choose batteries for dail...