Vivint teams up with builder to create energy efficient 'Zero Home'

PROVO, Utah—A new house that creates more energy than it uses has been created through a partnership between home automation/home security provider Vivint and Utah builder Garbett Homes.

The "Zero Home," located in Herriman, Utah, uses solar power and home automation to create a dwelling that is completely energy efficient, according to a report in the Deseret News this week. Vivint, based here, has a solar energy division called Vivint Solar.
 
It's the first such home in Utah, and tests show the house generates slightly more energy that it consumes during normal living conditions, according to the Deseret report.

The prototype five-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom house, unveiled Aug. 1, uses recycled building materials, the report said.

In a statement, Vivint and Garbett said they "are changing what it means to be green and live smart by combining green building with the latest home and energy management technology."

"The Zero Home is unique because it is the first net-zero climate 5 production home of its kind," the statement said."While net-zero climate 5 projects have been attempted in the past, the Zero Home is the first smart home design that is highly replicable, affordable, and scalable. Instead of costing over $1 million, these homes can now be purchased starting at just $350,000."

According to Vivint, the Zero Home will be equipped with a Vivint home automation and energy management system. The comany said that additional home automation features "include automated door locks, a smart-thermostat, small appliance and lighting control, video surveillance and an enhanced security system featuring "Vivint Live," which provides two-way communication with emergency dispatch professionals in times of distress."

"This home is the perfect intersection of innovative and attainable technology," said Vivint CEO Todd Pedersen said in a prepared statement. "It embodies Vivint's mission to bring simple, affordable home technology and solar power to the masses, empowering them to live smarter while combating rising energy costs."