About Builders Challenge
U.S. homebuilders of all sizes, from all areas of the country, report growing buyer interest in energy-efficient houses. Yet they also find that many homebuyers want help in making informed decisions. How can homebuyers tell exceptional energy performers from average energy performers or code homes? How do they figure out just what that difference will mean in their energy bills?
Spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Builders Challenge is a voluntary effort to provide compelling answers. Through the Builders Challenge, participating homebuilders will have an easy way to differentiate their best energy-performing homes from other products in the marketplace, and to make the benefits clear to buyers.
DOE's ultimate vision is that, by 2030, a consumer will have the opportunity to buy an affordable net zero energy home (NZEH) anywhere in the United States - a grid-connected home that, over the course of a year, produces as much energy as it uses. The Builders Challenge establishes a framework for continuous improvement that will help propel the market toward zero energy performance.
The Builders Challenge is based on lessons learned from the Building America Research Program - a private/public partnership that develops energy solutions for new and existing homes. Learn more about Building America and find out why builders aren't already building homes to this standard as basic practice.
Read what the media has been saying about the Builders Challenge.
How will the Builders Challenge transform the housing market?
- By providing Building America research results and marketing tools so builders can take the Challenge to build and sell cost-neutral high performance homes that are third party qualified to ensure the best energy efficiency, comfort, construction and indoor environmental quality on the market.
- By driving consumer demand through national outreach surrounding the EnergySmart Home Scale (E-Scale) so all Americans can easily understand energy performance and costs when shopping for a new home.
- By partnering with programs, non-profit organizations, real estate organizations, lenders, utilities and state and local governments to leverage and expand the existing green buildings infrastructure.
- By creating other mechanisms such as a design competition to increase the supply of high-performance home plans.
- By recognizing and rewarding participants who contribute to a critical mass of high performance homes through awards.
These elements are being implemented through collaborative efforts by the U.S. Department of Energy with states, building industry associations, building trades, colleges and universities, consumer organizations, rating organizations, realtors, utilities, lenders, and energy efficiency program sponsors. Most important of all is the voluntary participation of homebuilders across the United States.
Download the Builders Challenge brochure (PDF 361 KB) and view a printable list of Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 148 KB). Download Adobe Reader