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The DOE’s recent Housing Innovation Awards are proof that Zero Energy Homes are gaining in popularity, and energy-efficient lighting is an essential component.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently bestowed its Housing Innovation Awards, recognizing the best innovation on the path to Zero Energy Ready Homes. The awards ceremony took place several months ago during the annual Excellence in Building Conference organized by the Energy & Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) in St. Louis.
For the second year in a row the Grand Award went to Denver-based New Town Builders, which was selected from among seven finalists and innovation award winners in the Production Builder Awards category.
Zero Energy Ready Homes represent a whole new level of home performance with rigorous requirements that ensure outstanding levels of energy savings, comfort, health, and durability.
“The best building scientists in the world judge these awards,” says New Town CEO Gene Myers. “This is an award for customers, too. It assures them that they are buying the best home in the market.”
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home awards are presented to a select group of top builders in the country that are changing the way homes are designed and constructed. The honor signifies that the builder’s innovation and leadership are among the best in the industry, that it meets extraordinary levels of excellence and quality, and that its vision paves the way for housing best practices.
Judges examine a number of factors, including indoor air quality, water conservation, and durability. New Town’s high score in all of these areas indicates that its homes are better for individuals with health issues as well as good for the environment and will hold their value, according to Myers. With the builder’s practices being so far ahead, Myers states homeowners can be reassured that their investment will remain in front of often-changing building codes.
Bill Rectanus, New Town’s VP/Homebuilding Operations, notes that through design innovation, the company creates energy efficiency while still maintaining affordability using proven construction techniques and traditional housing design. He adds that the company’s homes remain competitive in price and within average pricing ranges for the Denver area.
“Zero Energy Ready Homes are the future for U.S. housing, and we need builders like New Town to get us there,” says Sam Rashkin, Chief Architect for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office. “We know that Zero Energy Homes provide a vastly superior consumer experience at lower ownership cost and an experience that all Americans should want in their next new home.”
DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes are verified by a qualified third-party and are at least 40 to 50% more energy-efficient than a typical new home. This number generally corresponds to a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index Score in the low to mid-50s, depending on the size of the home and region in which it is built.
DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes must meet all DOE Zero Energy Ready Home National Program Requirements (Rev.04). They must:
Comply with ENERGY STAR for Homes and the Inspection Checklists for Thermal Enclosure, HVAC Quality Installation (Contractor and HERS Rater) Water Management, and the target home/size adjustment factor used by ENERGY STAR
Feature energy-efficient appliances and fixtures that are ENERGY STAR-qualified
Use high-performance windows that meet ENERGY STAR specifications
Meet 2012 International Energy Conservation Code levels for insulation
Follow the latest proven research recommendations by installing ducts in conditioned space
Conserve water and energy through an efficient hot water distribution system that provides rapid hot water to the homeowner
Provide comprehensive indoor air quality through full certification in EPA’s Indoor airPlus Program
Accomplish savings on the cost of future solar installations by following provisions from the Consolidated Renewable Energy Ready Home (RERH) checklist for climates with significant solar insolation
This checklist references EPA’s solar electric guide and the solar thermal systems guide. State energy codes that exceed this program’s requirements always take precedence to determine compliance. In states where the residential provisions of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) have been adopted, and are therefore equivalent to some DOE Zero Energy Ready Home requirements, the mandatory requirements will be updated to reflect the 2015 IECC within six months of the new code’s publication date. There are additional requirements for homes constructed in the state of Washington as well as California.
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