Energy-efficient homes in Rhode Island

Building energy-efficient, affordably

“One thing that we hear is that it’s too hard to build green. But if you build with intention, it really isn’t any more expensive or difficult to do,” says Colin Penney, South County Habitat’s executive director.

For South County Habitat, the key to energy-efficient homes resides in a few simple steps during construction. Builders tape each seam to make the house airtight, add extra insulation and build thicker walls. These features work together to reduce the energy needed to heat or cool the home. This means lower utility bills for homeowners.

“Habitat as an organization is a leader in responsible building, so this was the natural next step: building in a cost-effective way that’s environmentally friendly and more affordable for homeowners,” Colin says.

In addition to the strategic steps during construction, South County Habitat added solar panels to these homes, drastically cutting the household’s carbon footprint. Now these homes produce as much energy as they use and meet zero-energy standards.

Some months, the homes even produce more electricity than they consume. In this case, the utility company gives homeowners a credit on their bill to use during periods of higher demand, like Rhode Island’s harsh winters.

“We’re hitting the best energy standards that the best builders in the country are hitting,” Colin says.

Fellow builders are taking notice. The Rhode Island Builders Association hosts workshops across the Northeast to showcase the best in the industry, and they’re presenting these Habitat homes as a leading example of successful energy-efficient construction.