Today is the day that Ben Franklin flew his kite and discovered that lightning was actually electricity. Today, we still experiment and look skyward in search of savings and free energy from the sun. Why? Skyrocketing energy costs and utility bills have homeowners and builders looking for answers. Today you'll learn what may be in store with homes that use zero energy (and produce even more!) Zero-energy homes use the latest technology to not only reduce energy consumption, but to actually produce more than they need. This allows homeowners to sell the excess to local utility companies. Recent record-breaking heat waves have proven that when energy savers (and producers) like solar panels and turbine systems that produce electricity are added to solid-state lighting, high-tech windows, upgraded insulation, and high-efficiency appliances, zero energy consumption and excess production can be achieved even when outdoor temperatures exceed 100 degrees! Who knows? Maybe brownouts will soon become ?green-ins?!