Michelle Millikin

Archive for the ‘Balancing quality products with price’ Category

On the coasts, the buzz is Zero-Energy Homes (or ZEH). Supported by national and regional programs, the movement has been gaining national attention and momentum in the housing industry.

According to Professional Builder magazine, “by combining the latest high-performance design and construction techniques – such as air-leakage control – with energy efficient materials and renewable energy sources, builders have been able to crate homes that produce as much energy (or even more) as they consume. In some cases, homeowners are able to sell excess energy back to their local utility.”

Many consumers feel they cannot afford such a home as the ones they have read about or have the rare opportunity to see. They typically have been incredible project demonstration or only for the wealthy with a surplus of money to afford such a home. The rising awareness and demands for such homes has been predominant in areas where the green movement has surpassed other communities such as in Seattle, San Francisco and Boulder, Colorado.

The cost of these homes is beginning to come down as builders become more familiar and educated in the process, incentives rise and the cost for the energy-saving technologies drop. A builder from Boulder says he is able to construct a near zero-energy home for less than $100 per square foot.

My hope is that our local builders begin or continue their education toward these technologies. Our market may be traditionally behind but there will always be the visionary that will grab the reigns of the future and be the first to embark into unchartered waters. What an inspiration that would be in our sleepy, behind-the-times community to expose the benefits and ability to build such as home. I am curious as to whom will be the first…..