Posts From March, 2020

CVF Homes - June Builder of the Month!

CVF Homes - June Builder of the Month!
CVF homes works with award winning architects to design one of a kind projects. Since inception, CVF homes has distinguished itself repeatedly by specializing in sustainable residential infill development and unique custom homes in San Antonio Texas. Their projects have been successful because they focus on great design, energy, water and material efficient buildings with healthy indoors. CVF homes has two primary goals: 1) To design sustainable projects that integrate the latest technology and the most energy and water efficient systems while minimizing their carbon footprint and 2) To design for humans – providing for practical requirements for how people live today while incorporating the outdoor with the indoor design elements to harmonize modern day living. They are committed to certifying all of their projects by the Zero Energy Ready Home program from the Department of Energy, Build San Antonio Green standards, ENERGY STAR and Indoor airPLUS. Learn More... read more
 

Georgia Power Smart Neighborhood

A collaboration between DOE, utilities, and a long-standing homebuilder create an opportunity to explore how homeowners are using energy in a real-world, smart home environment.
Georgia Power Smart Neighborhood
"Altus at The Quarter," a townhome community consisting of 46 units, recently opened in Atlanta, Georgia and will serve as real-world research for understanding "how emerging smart technologies and distributed energy resources can impact energy efficiency, energy management and resiliency." The townhomes include PV panels, battery storage, heat pump water heaters, and other energy efficient building elements - all managed by a "grid-interactive control system" developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory ("ORNL") and the Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office ("BTO"). Oak Ridge National Laboratory was originally established in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project. They are currently managed and operated by UT-Battelle as a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the DOE. ORNL supports DOE's national missions of scientific discovery, clean energy, and security. The DOE's Building Technologies Office leads a vast network of research and... read more
 

Collaboration and Energy Efficiency for Affordable Homes

It’s great to hear about net zero energy communities being built, and even better to discover the aim is to make them affordable.
Collaboration and Energy Efficiency for Affordable Homes
In many areas in the country, home prices are growing faster than incomes are increasing. Making sure homes stay affordable once they are occupied is essential in keeping costs down once they’re occupied. Collaborating on projects is becoming more and more popular when attainability is of utmost importance. In Hillsborough County in the Tampa Bay, Florida area, Commissioners are working with the Florida Home Partnership, a 501(c)3 nonprofit community home builder to build seven zero energy homes. The houses will utilize solar panels and aim for monthly electric bills of $20 or less. Other features will include metal roofing and concrete walls for hurricane resistance and lower insurance premiums. Along with their collaboration with Florida Home Partnership, Hillsborough County has also secured a $150,000 grant from Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo has a history in housing philanthropy and recently announced a partnership with Enterprise Community Partners to create the Housing... read more