Zero Energy

Zero Energy, LLC is a green construction contractor that understands what it takes to build a home that is specifically designed to be energy independent. As an affiliate of Schell Brothers, LLC, we can take advantage of our supplier and contractor relationships to offer the homeowner a sustainable product at an affordable price.

Lance Manlove

Lance is a native of Sussex County, growing up in Seaford and now residing in Lewes. He is married to wife Heather and has two wonderful daughters Lily and Shelby. Lance attended the University of Delaware and earned a degree in mechanical engineering. He is certified green engineering professional and recently was certified to design and install solar. 

Chris Schell

Zero Energy was founded by Chris Schell, a California native with strong family roots in Sussex County, Delaware. After graduating at the top of his class from MIT in Mechanical Engineering, Chris went on to become a successful hedge fund manager. Shortly after attending Harvard Business School, Chris decided to make a drastic career change and pursue his lifelong passion for building homes.

Mike Criswell

Mike Criswell joined the Zero Energy team in 2007 after working for the engineering department of a manufacturing company in Virginia Beach for 10 years. Before moving to Virginia Beach he lived in the Rehoboth area for 8 years. Mike is married to his beautiful wife Holly and has two energetic children Evelyn and Andrew. Throughout the year Mike enjoys fishing, surfing and camping from NJ to Outer Banks.

Matt Adler

Matt Adler was born and raised outside Providence, Rhode Island. He did his undergraduate studies at Florida State University where he majored in Studio Art with emphasis in Graphic Design and Painting. Upon graduation he moved to Providence and did his post graduate studies at Rhode Island School of Design in Interior Architecture and Design.

Ivana Biela

Ivana hails from behind the Iron Curtain — Slovakia, former Czechoslovakia. She holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Design of Furniture along with extensive education in textile design. Her love for traveling brought her to the U.S. for the first time in 2003. Ivana has been part of the design team since late 2007.

Zero Energy is a residential / light commercial green building company located in coastal Delaware.

 

We build all of our structures to the “National Green Building Standard” released in the Spring of 2009 and are continually striving to be the leader in quality and customer satisfaction.

Also, each structure is third party green certified to ensure it meets the standard. We have assembled a team of CAD designers, interior designers, project managers, and project superintendents that make the building process a stress free and fulfilling process. We understand that this is probably one of the biggest investments you will ever make and at Zero Energy we will work with you to find the perfect lot for solar orientation all the way through to choosing the low VOC paint colors.

The goal every Zero Energy home is to build a home that is functional, environmentally friendly, and most of all energy efficient. We focus heavily on the building envelope of the home as this is the major component energy consumption. Various techniques that we will use are ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms), SIP’s (Structural Insulated Panels), and traditional framing with spray foam insulation. Each of these methods will yield a home that is energy smart depending on budget confines of the project.

With the implementation of renewable energy resources such as solar pv, solar hot water, wind, and geothermal we can reduce and/or in most cases eliminate a monthly utility bill. Can you imagine living in a beautiful eco home at the beach with NO electric bill?

We can bring your green home dreams to reality at Zero Energy.

 
 

The main goal with a Zero Energy Home is to become energy independent, producing all that you will consume and consuming only what you need.

The initial cost is typically more compared to conventional construction but your investment will pay off in the long run. Also, many state and federal rebates and grants are available to homeowners who want to build a Zero Energy Home – the time to act is now