Build energy efficiency into your new home.
Buying a newly built home that's energy efficient or working with your designer and contractor to build one is a smart move. By asking for advanced construction techniques and choosing high-performance products, you can create a home that's more comfortable, uses less energy and has healthier indoor air. It's quality you can feel and savings you can see.
A new method for measuring efficiency. Energy Trust recently developed the Energy Performance Score (EPS), a clear and quantitative way to assess a new home's energy consumption, estimated utility costs and related carbon impact. Think of it as a “miles per gallon” rating for a home, a standardized tool that helps homebuyers to:
- Quantify energy efficiency, utility costs and environmental impact
- Document their home's energy performance
- Identify opportunities to reduce a home's carbon footprint by purchasing renewable energy options from utilities or other carbon offset programs
- Make better informed, "apples-to-apples" buying decisions on features in addition to location, neighborhood and amenities
The EPS is assessed for new homes, including homes receiving Earth Advantage (Silver®, Gold® and Platinum®), ENERGY STAR®, LEED for Homes® or other energy efficiency certifications. Read more about EPS or contact us at 1.877.283.0698.
What's next? Work with your builder, designer or architect to specify the target energy-efficiency level of your new home. Don't have a builder yet? Read below to get started and learn other great ways to add efficiency to your new home.
- Find a builder. Search for homebuilders throughout Oregon that construct certified energy-efficient homes.
- Shop for an efficient new home. Work with a Real Estate Professional trade ally to find newly built Oregon homes that have an EPS. When you buy an energy-efficient home built by an Energy Trust trade ally builder, you may be eligible for state and federal energy tax credits. Financial incentives are also available to builders.
- Buy energy-efficient products. Today's energy-efficient appliances look great and perform even better, saving you money month after month.
- Consider solar. Building a new home? Now is the best time to incorporate solar improvements. Ask your builder about your renewable energy options. If you've just purchased a new home, it's not too late to go solar. Learn about the fantastic incentives available for solar electric and solar water heating systems.
- Discover solutions for other home types. Check out solutions for existing homes, as well as our tips for renters and assistance for condo owners. Cash incentives for multifamily rental property improvements can be found here.
Have a question? Call us at 1.866.368.7878.