Affordable-housing groups are seeking to design a house in Ignacio that would use no more energy than it generates.

Recently, a group of experts in renewable energy and affordable housing gathered to begin hashing out ideas for the so-called net-zero home.

The builder of the home will be Pagosa Springs-based Colorado Housing, Inc., which typically requires homeowners to contribute labor hours to the construction of their homes. The net-zero home, however, will be built by Colorado Housing and contractors.

The home will be powered by solar energy, which will cover its electricity, hot water and heating needs, and will rely on energy-efficient building and appliances to keep power use in line with what it creates.

"I think it's pretty cutting edge for affordable housing to go that direction," said Julie Simmons, executive director of Colorado Housing.

The organization has teamed up with the Regional Housing Alliance of La Plata County on the project.

Construction is expected to begin in the fall.

No owner has been found yet for the home, which is expected to sell for around $200,000.

Construction costs are expected to exceed the sale price, so the agencies will seek grants to help cover the difference, which they are striving to minimize; they hope to be able to apply some of the energy-saving techniques they learn to future building projects, including affordable homes Colorado Housing plans to build in Bayfield's Fox Farm Village.

Wilkins said potential candidates, preferably Ignacio residents, can earn between 80 percent and 115 percent of area median income, which is about $64,400 for a family of four.

Ophelia Wilkins, who does land development and architectural design for the housing alliance, said the energy-producing capacity of the home is limited by roof size, so designers have to rely on efficiencies to make up the difference.

"You have to go back in and fine-tune every little detail," she said, "to even come close to offsetting the energy use."

The lot, which was purchased from the town of Ignacio, is in the Candelaria Heights subdivision.

For more information about the net-zero home, call the Regional Housing Alliance at 259-1418.

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