Building energy efficient homes has never been more important — or more profitable — than it is today. Buyers are increasingly prioritizing homes that offer lower utility bills, healthier indoor environments, and features that future-proof their investment in their homes. According to the National Association of Home Builders, 91% of buyers consider energy-efficient features to be important, and 57% are willing to pay more for them to achieve annual savings in utility costs. Builders who adopt low or zero emission standards can meet this growing demand, offer their buyers reduced operational expenses, close sales faster, and differentiate themselves in a competitive market.

Download Program Requirement Checklists for Single-Family Homes

Builders seeking to adopt energy efficient building practices can pursue any of several tiers of efficiency standards. The following checklists describe some of these options.

Electric-ready and PV-ready building infrastructure can be incorporated in addition to or in conjunction with any ENERGY STAR or DOE Efficient New Homes building efforts.

Low and zero emission homes offer multiple advantages that traditional homes do not, and these advantages directly impact builders’ bottom lines. These homes provide long-term energy savings, more consistent and comfortable indoor temperatures, and improved resilience to power outages and extreme weather events. They also eliminate or reduce exposure to indoor air contaminants, a growing concern among buyers as awareness of gas-related health risks increases. These features not only enhance buyer satisfaction and reduce warranty risk, but also lead to quicker sales and reduced holding costs, ultimately increasing profitability for builders.

Financial Incentives

There are also significant financial incentives available that make building to higher energy standards more attractive than ever. The federal New Energy Efficient Home Credit (45L tax credit) offers up to $5,000 per home built to ENERGY STAR or DOE Efficient New Homes standards, while utility programs like Rocky Mountain Power’s Wattsmart New Homes and Enbridge Gas’s ThermWise provide cash incentives for energy-efficient equipment and construction. For buyers, these homes offer near-immediate payback; in fact, a homeowner can start generating a positive return on their investment in an energy efficient home in less than a year, as shown by the following case studies. For builders, that means easier selling, stronger margins, and more future-ready business.