(MS) – Due to premium construction efficiency and generating abilities, experiments are already proving it can be done, says a leading manufacturer of advanced concrete wall forms. “The first ‘net-zero’ school is opening this year in Lexington, Kentucky.

The individual materials you choose can make a big difference to the overall efficiency. If you want the highest performance, be sure to pay close attention to decisions for the walls, windows, roofing, ventilation and indoor climate control. Those features in particular assist in the goal to completely offset energy consumption.

Interlocking concrete forms are replacing the traditional wood frame method.

The system consists of pre-assembled panels, each one stacked, reinforced, and then filled with concrete. Once locked together (like Legos®) the system creates a solid, monolithic wall reported to be up to nine times stronger, with far more fire protection and with far more sound insulation.

This feature – alongside solar generation, geothermal heating and cooling plus the use of natural light – are just a few of the net-zero features on a very close horizon.