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BETHESDA, Md. - A local architect says she hopes her latest project will become one of the first LEED platinum homes built in the D.C. region.

Platinum is the highest rating for environmental standards under the U.S. Green Building Council. The home is located in Bethesda and it already has a buyer.

They call it a Net Zero Energy House -- meaning it produces as much energy as it consumes on an annual average basis. It's a four-bedroom, 3,500 square foot house that's located near Glen Echo Park in Bethesda.

The architect is local and hopes it will become a prototype for the market. The new owner can't wait to move in with her family.

"They're very excited. My son is really excited about the solar panels," said Ann Luskey, the buyer. "You can create a house that is a beautiful house."

Next week, Luskey will move into her new Net Zero Energy House in Bethesda. Her neighbors call it "The Green House" but it's actually white.

The house features 9.6 kilowatt solar panels, ultra-insulated walls and high-performance windows. "We tried to seal all the air leaks -- the idea being that the less energy you need to heat and cool it," said Marcie Meditch, the architect for the project.

Meditch says a geothermal heat pump system deep underground will warm the house. And once installed, ceiling fans will help cool it. "We also placed the doors and windows opposite each other for the seasons like spring and fall," she said.

A green roof, rain barrels and a permeable driveway will help reduce storm water run-off. The house also features Energy Star appliances, LED lighting and Low Flo plumbing.

"Basically your energy costs are going to go way, way down. And many mortgage companies will give you a better rate if you have green features in the home," said Meditch.

Environmentalists hope the home will be a prototype and more developers will go green. "The effort should be how they can include this in their strategy in developing," said Michael Kiefer of Green D.C. Realty.

It's a very contemporary design in the middle of an older neighborhood but neighbors say they welcome the house. "I think the older neighbors are happy with this and hope it does well," said Eliot Sternfeld, a neighbor.

Developers say the upfront cost of a Zero Energy Home can run 3-to-7 percent higher than a conventional home. But long term, the owner has virtually zero energy costs.

"It's definitely worth the investment for me," said Luskey. "I think it's the way we're going whether we like it or not."

The home's price tag was $1.8 million. On Sunday, the architect will host an open house for the public. On Monday, Luskey's family will move in.

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