There’s a new buzzword in the green building industry: “Net Zero” and “Near Zero” construction. Homes thus labeled are outfitted with energy-efficient materials (tighter insulation, draft-resistant windows and doors) as well as solar features which enable a home to actually produce energy and, thus, consume less (or no) power from the local grid.

 As a homeowner, you probably know that there are a handful of maintenance tasks you need to complete as you prepare for the harsh, winter conditions. But you may not have a carefully crafted and comprehensive list of tasks.