ABC: Zero-energy homes becoming more popular. [View All]

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Jose and Marciala Reyes built a zero-energy home in Tucson, where solar power produces heat, air conditioning and even hot water. How much are the Reyes' monthly energy bills?

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"We pay between, on the average, $20 to $28," said Jose Reyes, a retired businessman. Sometimes, their bills are as low as $5 a month — a savings of around $250 compared to others in their area.

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Builders say solar power is perfect for the climate in Arizona, with its 340 days of sun each year. But in places like Oxford, Ohio, there is seldom any sun during the long winter, so residents are finding other alternatives to heating their homes.

Some are finding energy savings in a hole in the ground — that's where contractors are building geothermal power units. Loops of water-filled pipe are buried below the frost line. From there, they pass the earth's internal heat through a special furnace.

Contractor Bill Spade has never been busier installing the $15,000 units. "When you go from doing a couple of jobs a year to doing, like, four jobs a month, it's a big change," Spade said.

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Technology/story?id=1242381