Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) has been awarded a 2018 Housing Innovation Award in the Affordable category by the U.S. Department of Energy. The award recognizes a new home in Kalamazoo Habitat completed last spring. The modest three bedroom, 1,000 square foot home in the Milwood neighborhood uses very little energy to operate thanks to some energy efficient features like extra insulation and a compact furnace. The home is also very healthy to live in as a result of “green” materials and ventilation. The home is ready for solar panels to help offset energy costs should the owner choose to install them in the future, and the home is designed for future accessibility for those with disabilities. Grand Winners in each category will be announced at the 2018 Housing Innovation Awards Ceremony, Thursday, October 18th at the EEBA Excellence in Building Conference in San Diego, California.
Since 2013, the DOE Housing Innovation Awards have honored the very best in innovation on the path to zero energy ready homes by recognizing builders delivering American homebuyers a superior homeowner experience. DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes represent a new level of home performance, with rigorous requirements that ensure energy savings, comfort, health and durability.
To qualify for the Housing Innovation Awards, homes must meet Zero Energy Ready Home program requirements. Applications are judged by an esteemed panel of national experts from across the building industry with images of the home, floor plans, and documentation of Zero Energy Ready Home verification. Judges score each application based on various criteria including energy performance metrics, land development, design, quality construction, sales and marketing, consumer education, and business metrics.
Two other Habitat for Humanity affiliates are winners in the Affordable category: Habitat for Humanity Catawba Valley, Hickory, NC, Habitat for Humanity of South Sarasota, Venice, FL.
Visit the U.S Department of Energy’s Housing Innovation Award’s website to learn more about the awards and for a complete list of the 2018 Housing Innovation Award Winners
https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/housing-innovation-awards
