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

Hyperlink icon to reveal a BPA Resource Video

Case Studies: How to Craft Modular Ventilation Solutions 

Watch to learn from six specific, unique situations where air quality was an issue for families.

Hyperlink icon to reveal a BPA Resource

The Clean Heat Standard White Paper

Read the whitepaper about the Clean Heat Standard Program that would ensure that Vermont’s heat suppliers and local enterprises transform their business's greenhouse gas emissions and fossil heating costs in Vermont buildings.

Podcast icon

Building HVAC Science Podcast: The Demand for High Performance Contracting Services with Peter Troast 

Listen to the Building HVAC Science Podcast discuss the demand for high-performance contracting services with Peter Troast, CEO of Energy Circle.