Skip to content

Resource Library

RESTalk: Santa Fe’s Habitat for Humanity Homes achieve HERS-ZERO scores

Podcast

Overview

The fascinating story of how 15 NetZero / HERS-ZERO homes have been built in the Habitat for Humanity program in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

“Example is not the main thing in influencing others.

It is the only thing.”

-Albert Schweitzer

Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to help families build and improve places to call home. In the process developing strong and stable communities with affordable housing.

Often household utility costs make affordability a challenge.

What factors need to fall into place to address this challenge of affordability?

How are cozy, comfortable, attractive homes that use no net energy being built in the Habit for Humanity model?

Join RESTalk as Rob Lochner, Construction Director at Habit for Humanity, Santa Fe and David Best, HERS Rater with Evergreen Building Solutions (www.evergreenbuildingsolutions.com/) share with us the fascinating story of how 15 NetZero / HERS-ZERO homes have been built in the Habitat for Humanity program in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

David describes some of the straightforward technical practices and measures that have been used as the program has evolved since 2020.

While these homes are attracting interest and providing influence, Rob shares insights into what seems to be preventing more widespread adoption of these practices in more projects.

Related Resources

Podcast icon

Healthy Indoors: Indoor Environments Show – Wild Fires & Other Environmental Issues

Healthy Indoors welcomes Brett Stinson to discuss wildfire season in North America, along with a low-cost air cleaner for at-home use during emergency situations.

Download this BPA resource

ACEEE: Policy Brief: Demand Flexibility of Water Heaters

A new ACEEE policy brief explains what demand flexibility is, how water heaters can accomplish it, and why state or federal legislation is needed to make this capability universal.

Podcast icon

Power for the People: Advice and Information for Heat Pumps

A great discussion about heat pumps for heating AND cooling with tips for where to locate them.