January 30, 2024

We Are the Rare, Repeat Heat Pump Water Heater Customers

We’ve embraced heat pump water heaters on our journey to electrify completely. And we were among the first in the US to buy and install a plug-in, 120V heat pump water heater

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November 15, 2023

We Are the Rare, Repeat Solar Customers

Our most recent installers joked that they don’t usually have repeat customers. We installed solar in 2010, 2012, and 2016.

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September 11, 2020

Protect Homebuyers, Reward Efficiency

Economists often say that markets make the best decisions. But that can be true only when markets have accurate and complete information. Today, the housing market is flying blind regarding one of the most important characteristics of a home: energy use. The solution is mandatory energy disclosure at the time of sale. It’s good for buyers, sellers and the climate.

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March 18, 2020

Production Builders, It’s Time to Sell Zero Energy Homes 

Zero energy homes are poised to go mainstream. Large builders have the scale necessary to launch the market into this new territory. Homebuyers save and builders profit.

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February 15, 2020

Unlocking the Added Value of Zero that Hides in Plain Sight

Real estate appraisers and mortgage lenders have never embraced the market value of energy efficient homes despite convincing evidence. A new study by Freddie Mac provides more data in support of this added value.

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October 18, 2019

Zero Net Energy Buildings with Zero Net Added Cost

When you eliminate the cost of energy from your monthly budget, you also give your buying power a boost. With the right financing, energy efficiency is an investment that pays for itself. Here are several options for energy aware financing that will enhance the buying power of zero.

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September 5, 2019

Low Income Homeowners Benefit Most From Zero Energy Homes

There is a housing affordability crisis across the United States. Here are eight ways that zero energy helps make homes affordable for those that need it most.

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June 3, 2019

Financing Energy-Saving Improvements and Zero Energy Homes for All

Saving energy is the same as earning money. You can use these earnings to finance energy improvements that pay for themselves. Learn how to turn a monthly expense into more comfort and value in your home.

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April 8, 2019

Everybody Wins with Zero Energy Homes!

High performance homes are a great investment for the homebuyer, no matter how you measure it, as described in Part One of this series. But there are also many non-monetary benefits for the homeowner. These highly efficient homes are a win for everyone involved, including builders, realtors, lenders and utilities. Here’s a powerful list.

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March 23, 2019

Zero Energy Homes – A Financial Win for Homeowners

In Part One of this two-part series we show the real financial returns for zero energy homeowners. — “A penny saved is a penny earned,” according to Benjamin Franklin. Let’s start thinking about energy improvements as investments that bring a financial return. Here are four ways to evaluate the financial performance of zero energy homes. They all demonstrate that zero energy homeowners benefit financially, making zero a wise investment.

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February 15, 2019

My Zero Energy Pool is a Great Investment!

Swimming pools are great fun, but they have high running costs and a high carbon footprint. David Green cut both. Now his pool running cost is zero and so is its carbon footprint.

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February 1, 2019

Every State has Home Energy Efficiency Assistance Programs. Find Yours.

No matter where you live, there is financial assistance to help you improve the energy efficiency of your home and save money. These states are leading the pack, but even if you live elsewhere, you can still find technical and financial help.

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