Dive summary:

• The ability to build a highly efficient – or even a net zero energy – house is real, but a debate among various factions in the Northwest centers on how much efficiency can be mandated before it pushes housing prices too high for some buyers.
• There doesn't appear to be a clear delineation, as the utility-backed Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance tries to show what is possible at a relatively low price point and the Building Industry Association of Washington argues for letting buyers decide what efficiency is worth.
• The Alliance has teamed with builders to put up 13 super-efficient homes in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana in hopes of making a real-world case for maximum efficiency.

From the article:

Electricians wired each of the homes in the demonstration project with an array of sensors. Those will track energy use and building performance for the next year. ...