Last week, the Dow Chemical Company and Cobblestone Homes in Michigan unveiled what is being billed as the nation’s first affordable, net-zero energy home. The home, in other words, is designed to generate as much (or more) electricity than is needed — resulting in a net-zero electric bill.

Dubbed “Vision Zero,” the home is located in Bay City, Michigan, and is part of Michigan’s and Dow Chemical’s commitment to promoting energyindependence across the U.S. Vision Zero will go a long way toward that goal: as designed, the home is expected to $3,507 a year on energy costs. Moreover, the home is expected to avoid nearly 45,000 lbs. of annual atmospheric CO2 emissions. How is this accomplished?

Dow partnered with Cobblestone Homes, Great Lakes Bay area home design company, to develop a building that (a) consumes less energy without compromising on comfort and design, and (b) generates more energy, on site, than the average American home. Net- zero homes, like this one, typically use 60 percent to 70 percent less energy than conventional ones.

Vision Zero uses insulation and air-sealing products, geothermal heat pumps to heat and cool the home, a solar water heating system and super-energy efficient LED lighting. To boot, the home is equipped with enough of Dow’s Powerhouse solar shingles to meet all of its electrical needs — and then some. Other energy-efficient appliances are scattered about the home.

Dow Chemical’s Vice President of Energy, Doug May, spoke about the meaning of such a home coming to fruition in the state of Michigan:

“The Vision Zero home utilizes a variety of energy solutions from Dow and is proof that homeowners can affordably enjoy all the comforts of the modern home, with a reduced environmental impact and still achieve a net-zero utility bill.”

But to those behind the scenes in the making of the Vision Zero home, the completion of the project may represent more than lower monthly bills.

The project supports Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm’s notion that her state should be a leader in green business and technology. Governor Granholm sees the renewable energy sector as an area that can be used to create jobs and boost Michigan’s struggling economy. Dow’s and Cobblestone’s new partnership suggests she’s not alone. The two companies expect to team up in the future to bring more energy-efficient projects to Michigan, a move that could create thousands of new green jobs.

For a full year, the Vision Zero home will be a destination spot for building designers and consumers trying to learn about the energy efficient aspect of the home and how to apply it to their own. Tours and training workshops will be provided. If you don’t plan on being in Michigan, you can take a virtual tour on the Vision Zero website.