Platinum Near Net Zero Energy in VA

By looking at the real estate listing for this home, you wouldn't necessarily get the whole story. This 3,600 square-foot house has four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, not to mention a wine cellar, media room, and detached two-car garage. What you won't see is that it's also a low-energy home and vying for LEED Platinum certification -- the highest designation available from the USGBC -- according to the Washington Examiner.

The owner deconstructed an old 1918 bungalow to build this Alexandria home to near net zero energy standards. It was built at a cost of $230 per square foot and energy bills run about $20-30 per month.

Construction entailed using SIPs, efficient windows, hydronic heating and cooling, rainwater harvesting and purification systems, and a geothermal system, among other green products and materials.

At the moment, the home, which is located on 9 East Walnut Street in Alexandria, Virginia, is listed for sale with TTR Sotheby's International Realty for $1,288,000.

[+] Alexandria home goes green from the bottom up by Washington Examiner.