Is your home a…

One of the groups we are registered partners with is the Department of Energy. We participate in the “Zero Energy Ready Home” Challenge. This partnership is about recognizing builders who focus their workmanship on  “increasing energy efficiency, improving indoor air quality, and making homes zero energy ready.” (DOE)

Zero energy homes are estimated to be nearly 50% more energy efficient than a typical new home.

Some of the requirements to be recognized as a Zero Energy Home are:

• Comply with Energy Star for Homes Checklist (more on that in a follow up post)
• Thermal Enclosure
• HVAC Quality Install (with a HERS Rating of mid to low 50-depending on home size)
• Have Energy Efficient appliances and fixtures (Refrigerator toilet, faucets, etc.)
• Have high performance windows and doors
• Be certified in the EPA’s Indoor airPlus program
• Install an efficient hot water distribution system with rapid hot water controls
• Check out the DOE’s website for complete list!

The goal, that can’t be stated enough, is that we are about building high performance homes, where the efficiency is so great that renewable energy systems (like those listed above) offset most of the annual energy consumption. Think about what this means to you, the home owner for your energy bills. As stated in previous posts, the more efficient your home, the less you spend paying for electric and heating/cooling.

Here’s a link to the DOE Challenge Home site, filled with lots of great information: http://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/zero-energy-ready-home