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 method for measuring efficiency. Energy Trust developed the Energy Performance Score as a clear and quantitative way to assess a newly built 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:
- Quantify energy efficiency, utility costs and environmental impact
- Document a 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 based on energy efficiency features in addition to location, neighborhood and amenities
EPS is assessed for new homes, including those receiving Earth Advantage®, ENERGY STAR®, LEED for Homes® or other energy efficiency certifications. Read more about EPS or contact us at 1.866.368.7878.
Wondering where to begin? Work with your builder, designer or architect to specify the target energy-efficiency level of your new home. Don't have a builder yet? Start your search here and find other great ways to ensure your home is energy efficient.
- Find a builder. Search for homebuilders throughout Oregon that construct certified energy-efficient homes.
- Find an architect or designer. Search for architects and design professionals that make energy efficiency a top priority.
- Shop for an efficient new home. Work with a Real Estate Professional trade ally to find newly built Oregon homes that have 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.
- Become a Smarter Homebuyer. Energy Trust offers additional tools to help you factor energy efficiency into your home search. To get started, use our Smart Homebuyer Checklist. This invaluable resource shows you what to look for in an energy-efficient home.
- 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 renewable energy options. If you've just purchased a new home, it's not too late to go solar. Learn about incentives available for solar electric and solar water heating systems.
Have a question? Call us at 1.866.368.7878.